CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 7:17 Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_07_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 7:17 - The Limits of Human Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:16">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 7:17 <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 7:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a simpleminded fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Do not be excessively <i>or</i> willfully wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t be excessively wicked, and don&#8217t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't be too wicked, and don't be a fool. Why should you die before your time is up?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But don't be too wicked or too foolish, either--why die before you have to? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not excel at wickedness, nor be a fool. Why die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not do much wrong, neither be a fool, why do you die within your time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not be greatly wicked, and thou shalt not be foolish: wherefore wilt thou die not in thy time?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 7:18>Do not act with great impiety, and do not choose to be foolish, lest you die before your time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Be not wicked to excess, and be not foolish. Why should you die before your time?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Be not excessively wicked, lest you be hated much; neither be foolish, lest you die before your time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not be greatly irreverent so that you be not greatly hated; do not be foolish, lest you die when not in your time<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1299" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/7.htm">The Limits of Human Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">be excessively</a> <a href="/hebrew/7561.htm" title="7561: tir·ša‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To be wicked, act wickedly. A primitive root; to be wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate.">wicked,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: tə·hî (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-2ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5530.htm" title="5530: sā·ḵāl (N-ms) -- A fool. From cakal; silly.">a fool.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: ṯā·mūṯ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">should you die</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: bə·lō (Prep-b:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘it·te·ḵā (N-csc:: 2ms) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">your time?</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-27.htm">Proverbs 10:27</a></span><br />The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-19.htm">Proverbs 11:19</a></span><br />Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-3.htm">Proverbs 19:3</a></span><br />A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/15-32.htm">Job 15:32-33</a></span><br />It will be paid in full before his time, and his branch will not flourish. / He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Psalm 55:23</a></span><br />But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Proverbs 1:32</a></span><br />For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Proverbs 28:17</a></span><br />A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-11.htm">Isaiah 3:11</a></span><br />Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a></span><br />But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a></span><br />For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-15.htm">James 1:15</a></span><br />Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a></span><br />Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. / The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">1 Peter 4:15</a></span><br />Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-16.htm">1 John 5:16</a></span><br />If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?</p><p class="hdg">not</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Jeremiah 2:33,34</a></b></br> Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/8-17.htm">Ezekiel 8:17</a></b></br> Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen <i>this</i>, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/16-20.htm">Ezekiel 16:20</a></b></br> Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. <i>Is this</i> of thy whoredoms a small matter,</p><p class="hdg">why</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/38-7.htm">Genesis 38:7-10</a></b></br> And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-38.htm">1 Samuel 25:38</a></b></br> And it came to pass about ten days <i>after</i>, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/15-32.htm">Job 15:32,33</a></b></br> It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green… </p><p class="hdg">before thy time </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">End</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Excessively</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-17.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-11.htm">Within</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-15.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-5.htm">Die</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-13.htm">End</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-7.htm">Excessively</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-2.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Overmuch</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Shouldst</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm">Time</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-11.htm">Within</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-25.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">remedies against vanity are, a good name</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-2.htm">mortification</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">patience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">The difficulty of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not be excessively wicked</b><br>This phrase suggests a warning against living a life characterized by extreme wickedness. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher often reflects on the futility and consequences of human actions. The Bible consistently warns against wickedness, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-17</a>, which advises avoiding the path of the wicked. The term "excessively" implies that while all wickedness is wrong, there is a particular danger in allowing oneself to be consumed by it. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures surrounding Israel often engaged in practices considered wicked by biblical standards, such as idolatry and child sacrifice, which Israel was repeatedly warned against (<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a>, <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Deuteronomy 18:10</a>).<p><b>and do not be a fool</b><br>Foolishness in biblical terms often refers to a lack of wisdom and understanding, particularly in relation to God's ways. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts wisdom and folly, emphasizing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>). In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, and foolishness was seen as a moral failing. The fool is often depicted as someone who rejects God's instruction and lives recklessly, as seen in <a href="/psalms/14.htm">Psalm 14:1</a>, where the fool says in his heart, "There is no God."<p><b>Why should you die before your time?</b><br>This rhetorical question implies that excessive wickedness and foolishness can lead to premature death. In the biblical worldview, life is a gift from God, and living in a way that honors Him is seen as the path to a full and meaningful life. The idea of dying "before your time" suggests that certain behaviors can lead to self-destruction, a theme echoed in <a href="/proverbs/10-27.htm">Proverbs 10:27</a>, which states that the fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. This phrase also reflects the ancient understanding of divine justice, where actions have direct consequences, and God's sovereignty over life and death is acknowledged.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences and observations.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to which Solomon belonged and over which he reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of wisdom and folly in Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_excessive_wickedness.htm">Avoiding Excessive Wickedness</a></b><br>The verse warns against living a life characterized by excessive wickedness. While all sin is serious, a lifestyle of unrepentant sin can lead to premature consequences, both spiritually and physically.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_foolishness.htm">The Folly of Foolishness</a></b><br>Foolishness, in biblical terms, often refers to living without regard for God’s wisdom. This verse cautions against such a lifestyle, which can lead to self-destruction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_balance_of_wisdom.htm">The Balance of Wisdom</a></b><br>The call is not to be overly righteous or overly wicked, suggesting a balanced life that seeks wisdom and avoids extremes. This balance is rooted in a relationship with God and understanding His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_sin.htm">Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The warning about dying before one's time serves as a reminder of the temporal and eternal consequences of sin. It encourages self-examination and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_godly_wisdom.htm">Pursuit of Godly Wisdom</a></b><br>The verse implicitly encourages the pursuit of godly wisdom as a means to avoid the pitfalls of wickedness and foolishness. This pursuit is a lifelong journey that requires humility and dependence on God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'eye-service'_in_the_bible.htm">What occurs to the wicked upon their death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_tomorrow.htm">What does fearing God mean about avoiding extremes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_7_16_conflict_with_matthew_6_33.htm">In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being “overly righteous” is discouraged—doesn’t this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'kept_by_god's_power'_mean.htm">What defines centrism or a centrist?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Be not over much wicked neither be thou foolish.</span> These two injunctions are parallel and correlative to those in ver. 16 concerning over-righteousness and over-wisdom. But the present verse cannot be meant, as at first sight it seems to do, to sanction a certain amount of wickedness provided it does not exceed due measure. To surmount this difficulty some have undeavored to modify the term "wicked" (<span class="accented">rasha</span>), taking it to mean "engaged in worldly matters," or "not subject to rule," "lax," or again "restless," as some translate the word in <a href="/job/3-17.htm">Job 3:17</a>. But the word seems not to be used in any such senses, and bears uniformly the uncompromising signification assigned to it, "to be wicked, unrighteous, guilty." The difficulty is not overcome by Plumptre's suggestion of the introduction of a little "playful irony learned from Greek teachers," as if Koheleth meant, "I have warned you, my friends, against over-righteousness, but do not jump at the conclusion that license is allowable. That was very far from my meaning." The connection of thought is this: in the previous verse Koheleth had denounced the Pharisaical spirit which virtually condemned the Divine ordering of circumstances, because vice was not at once and visibly punished, and virtue at once rewarded; and now he proceeds to warn against the deliberate and abominable wickedness which infers from God's long-suffering his absolute neglect and non- interference in mortal matters, and on this view plunges audaciously into vice and immorality, saying to itself, "God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it" (<a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a>). Such conduct may well be called "foolish;" it is that of "the fool who says in his heart, There is no God" (<a href="/psalms/14-1.htm">Psalm 14:1</a>). The actual wording of the injunction sounds to us somewhat strange; but its form is determined by the requirements of parallelism, and the aphorism must not be pressed beyond its general intention, "Be not righteous nor wise to excess; be not wicked nor foolish to excess." Septuagint, "Be not very wicked, and be not stubborn (<span class="greek">σκληρός</span>)." Why shouldest thou die before thy time? literally, <span class="accented">not in thy time</span>; prematurely, tempting God to punish thee by retributive judgment, or shortening thy days by vicious excesses. (For the former, see <a href="/job/22-16.htm">Job 22:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/55-23.htm">Psalm 55:23</a>; <a href="/proverbs/10-27.htm">Proverbs 10:27</a>; and comp. <a href="/1_samuel/2-31.htm">1 Samuel 2:31, 33</a>; and for the latter, <a href="/proverbs/5-23.htm">Proverbs 5:23</a>; <a href="/proverbs/7-23.htm">Proverbs 7:23-27</a>; <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Proverbs 10:21</a>.) The Syriac contains a clause not given in any other version, "that thou mayest not be hated." As is often the case, both in this book and in Proverbs, a general statement in one place <span class="accented">is reduced</span> by a contrariant or modified opinion in another. Thus the prolongation of the life of the wicked, noticed in ver. 15, is here shown to be abnormal, impiety in the usual course of events having a tendency to shorten life. In this way hasty generalization is corrected, and the Divine arrangement is vindicated. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be excessively</span><br /><span class="heb">הַרְבֵּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(har·bêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wicked,</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּרְשַׁ֥ע</span> <span class="translit">(tir·ša‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7561.htm">Strong's 7561: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, wrong, to disturb, violate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be</span><br /><span class="heb">תְּהִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(tə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fool.</span><br /><span class="heb">סָכָ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(sā·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5530.htm">Strong's 5530: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fool</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֥מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should you die</span><br /><span class="heb">תָמ֖וּת</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your time?</span><br /><span class="heb">עִתֶּֽךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘it·te·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-17.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:17 Don't be too wicked neither be foolish (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 7:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 7:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>