Do not be excessively wickedThis 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
Proverbs 4:14-17, 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 (
Leviticus 18:21,
Deuteronomy 18:10).
and do not be a fool
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 (Proverbs 9:10). 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 inPsalm 14:1, where the fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
Why should you die before your time?
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 inProverbs 10:27, 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.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonTraditionally 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.
2.
IsraelThe 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.
3.
The Preacher (Qoheleth)The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom.
Teaching Points
Avoiding Excessive WickednessThe 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.
The Folly of FoolishnessFoolishness, 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.
The Balance of WisdomThe 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.
Consequences of SinThe 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.
Pursuit of Godly WisdomThe 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.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 7:17?
2.How can we avoid being "overly wicked" as warned in Ecclesiastes 7:17?
3.What does "do not be foolish" mean in the context of Ecclesiastes 7:17?
4.How does Ecclesiastes 7:17 relate to the concept of God's wisdom?
5.What practical steps can prevent a life "before your time" as in Ecclesiastes 7:17?
6.How does Ecclesiastes 7:17 connect with Proverbs' teachings on wisdom and folly?
7.What does Ecclesiastes 7:17 mean by "do not be overly wicked"?
8.How does Ecclesiastes 7:17 reconcile with the concept of sin in Christianity?
9.Why does Ecclesiastes 7:17 advise against being "overly righteous"?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 7?
11.What occurs to the wicked upon their death?
12.What does fearing God mean about avoiding extremes?
13.In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being “overly righteous” is discouraged—doesn’t this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?
14.What defines centrism or a centrist?What Does Ecclesiastes 7:17 Mean
Do not be excessively wickedEcclesiastes 7:17 warns, “Do not be excessively wicked.” Solomon is not suggesting that a “moderate” amount of sin is acceptable; instead, he is highlighting the self-destructive nature of unrestrained evil.
• Scripture consistently teaches that sin leads to ruin (Proverbs 5:22-23;Romans 6:23).
• Persistent rebellion hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:12-13) and invites God’s discipline (Psalm 32:3-4).
• The admonition calls us to recognize the limits God sets for our protection, echoing the earlier counsel inEcclesiastes 7:16 to avoid extremes that warp authentic faith.
and do not be a foolThe verse continues, “and do not be a fool.” In biblical thought, a fool is someone who ignores God’s wisdom (Psalm 14:1;Proverbs 1:7).
• Fools refuse correction (Proverbs 12:15) and rush into danger (Proverbs 14:16).
• Solomon pairs folly with wickedness because both stem from a refusal to fear the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).
• By steering clear of foolish choices, we guard ourselves from needless harm and honor God’s design for a wise life (Ephesians 5:15-17).
Why should you die before your time?“Why should you die before your time?” brings the warning to its climax.
• Sin and folly shorten lives through natural consequences—violence, addiction, reckless living (Proverbs 10:27;1 Peter 4:3-5).
• God is sovereign over every lifespan (Job 14:5), yet He often allows cause-and-effect outcomes: “Whoever sows to please their flesh…reaps destruction” (Galatians 6:8).
• The question is pastoral and piercing: God’s commandments are life-preserving, so why choose the path that hastens death (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)?
summaryEcclesiastes 7:17 cautions believers to avoid the twin traps of rampant wickedness and hard-headed foolishness. Both invite premature ruin and stand in contrast to the life-giving wisdom God offers. Walking in reverence, repentance, and discernment safeguards our days and glorifies the Lord who numbers them.
Verse 17. -
Be not over much wicked neither be thou foolish. 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" (
rasha), taking it to mean "engaged in worldly matters," or "not subject to rule," "lax," or again "restless," as some translate the word in
Job 3:17. 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" (
Psalm 10:11). Such conduct may well be called "foolish;" it is that of "the fool who says in his heart, There is no God" (
Psalm 14:1). 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 (
σκληρός)." Why shouldest thou die before thy time? literally,
not in thy time; prematurely, tempting God to punish thee by retributive judgment, or shortening thy days by vicious excesses. (For the former, see
Job 22:16;
Psalm 55:23;
Proverbs 10:27; and comp.
1 Samuel 2:31, 33; and for the latter,
Proverbs 5:23;
Proverbs 7:23-27;
Proverbs 10:21.) 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
is reduced 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.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notbe excessivelyהַרְבֵּ֖ה(har·bêh)Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235:To be or become much, many or greatwicked,תִּרְשַׁ֥ע(tir·ša‘)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7561:To be, wrong, to disturb, violateand do notוְאַל־(wə·’al-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408:Notbeתְּהִ֣י(tə·hî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bea fool.סָכָ֑ל(sā·ḵāl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5530:A foolWhyלָ֥מָּה(lām·māh)Interrogative
Strong's 4100:What?, what!, indefinitely whatshould you dieתָמ֖וּת(ṯā·mūṯ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4191:To die, to killbeforeבְּלֹ֥א(bə·lō)Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noyour time?עִתֶּֽךָ׃(‘it·te·ḵā)Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6256:Time, now, when
Links
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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:17 Don't be too wicked neither be foolish (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) 
