All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
I have seen all of this and carefully considered every kind of work that happens in this world. There are times when one person has power over another, and it ends up harming the one in charge.
The writer is observing that those who rule over others sometimes end up hurting themselves in the process.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament attributed to King Solomon, who was known for his wisdom and ruled Israel during a time of peace and prosperity around the 10th century BC. In this verse, Solomon reflects on the inequalities and injustices he observed in society, particularly how rulers often abuse their power, leading to their own harm and downfall. This observation fits into the broader theme of the book, which explores the futility of human efforts and the need for reverence toward God in a world full of oppression.
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