Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 8:11
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Preacher (Qohelet) is observing the world "under the sun," addressing an unnamed reader in a series of reflections on the wicked who escape punishment (8:10–12).
The words — פִתְגָם (pĕtĕgām), "sentence" or "decree," is a rare word that carries the weight of a formal judicial pronouncement rather than a casual remark.
The thread — Isaiah 26:10 states that grace shown to the wicked does not teach him righteousness; Psalms 50:21 records the wicked interpreting God's silence as complicity; Romans 2:4 reframes God's patience as intended to lead to repentance.
Why it lands — The verse presents a causal mechanism, not a lament: delayed consequence actively hardens the heart rather than merely failing to deter. It asks the reader to stop reading absence of punishment as evidence of divine indifference.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 26:10 Though grace is shown to the wicked man, he does not learn righteousness. In the land of righteousness he acts unjustly and fails to see the majesty of the LORD.
- Psalms 50:21 You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
- Romans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
- 2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
- Matthew 24:49 And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
- Psalms 10:6 He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”
- Job 21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock; their children skip about,
- Jeremiah 48:11 Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged.
- Exodus 8:15 When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, however, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
- Isaiah 5:18 Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of deceit and pull sin along with cart ropes,