In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

ECCLESIASTES 7:14KJV
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Ecclesiastes 7:14 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 7:14 mean?

Ecclesiastes 7:14 teaches that people should enjoy times of prosperity, but when facing hardship, they should pause and reflect, recognizing that God allows both good and bad times so that no one can predict or control what comes next. The verse points to the unpredictability of life and encourages thoughtful acceptance of both joy and trouble.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, addressing anyone seeking wisdom about life’s ups and downs. Ecclesiastes as a book often explores the limits of human understanding and control. Here, the verse highlights that both prosperity and adversity are part of God’s design, reminding readers not to take either for granted and to stay humble about the future.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 7:14

  • The word for "prosperity" and "joyful" is טוֹב (ṭov), meaning "good" or "pleasant." The same word is used for both, showing that good times are meant to be enjoyed, not just endured.
  • "Adversity" is רַע (ra‘), meaning "bad" or "evil." This word covers any kind of hardship or trouble, not just moral evil, emphasizing that difficult days are also part of life’s pattern.
  • "Consider" is רָאָה (ra’ah), meaning "to see" or "to look at." In this context, it suggests thoughtful reflection, not just noticing but really thinking about what adversity means.
  • "God" is אֱלֹהִים (’Elohim), the general Hebrew word for God, highlighting that it is God who arranges both good and bad times, not random chance.

Why Ecclesiastes 7:14 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 7:14 corrects the idea that prosperity is always a reward and adversity is always a punishment; both are part of life’s design.
  • The verse connects to the book’s broader message that human beings cannot fully understand or control their lives, encouraging humility and trust rather than anxiety.
  • By pairing joy with thoughtful consideration, the verse encourages a balanced response to life’s changing circumstances, rather than denial or despair.

Where else these words appear

“end” Hebrew H1700 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 5:8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
  • Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
  • Ecclesiastes 3:18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

“against” Hebrew H5980 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 25:27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:8 And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.
  • Ezekiel 10:19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also were beside them, and every one stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above.

“nothing” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.