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.
Because punishment for evil actions doesn't come quickly, people's hearts become completely determined to do wrong.
This verse explains that when people see wrongdoing go unpunished for a while, it encourages them to think they can get away with evil too.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of King Solomon, traditionally regarded as the author of Ecclesiastes around the 10th century BC, people in ancient Israel observed that evil actions often escaped swift punishment, leading to a cycle of moral decline. This verse reflects the broader wisdom literature of the Old Testament, which grapples with the frustrations of life's injustices under a fallen world. It highlights how delayed justice can embolden wrongdoing in human societies, a theme common in ancient Near Eastern writings.
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