Ecclesiastes 8:10

"So then,. have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is vanity."the wicked" -in the context this would include wicked people who oppress others, i.e. tyrants, corrupt governmental officials, those who are ruthless in business, in the courts, despots and dictators.

"from the holy place" -it appears that this verse is only talking about one group of people. Wicked people who pretended to be righteous, wicked people who frequented the temple and went through all the various worship practices.

"they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus" -The American Standard translators believed that two groups of people are in this verse. The wicked who receive. splendid burial, and the righteous who are quickly forgotten. The King James and New American Standard translators believed that only one group is under consideration in this verse, i.e. the wicked. What is forgotten about the wicked is their former wickedness! "From the standpoint of the righteous, one of the most perplexing problems is to observe the wicked go to their graves praised by the society whom they have maligned without any apparent retributive action to make the record straight" (Kidwell p. 212)

Points To Note:

1 This verse informs us that secular history isn't infallible. At times history has mistakenly labeled the wicked as righteous and visa versa. 2. "This shows that popular moral judgments can be totally astray, swayed by the evidence of success or failure, and construing heaven's patience as its approval. The dictator or corrupt tycoon may have bent the rules, it will be said; but after all, they got things done, they had flair, they lived in style " (Kidner p. 77). In our own culture we have idolized. good number of people who were very sinful. "And so. have seen wicked men carried to the tomb and praised from the holy place and lauded in the city where they had acted thus" (AAT). 3. "In spite of. notorious reputation, the wicked achieve prosperity and come to an end that is at least officially honorable. The fact that they achieved such success in life in spite of and indeed because of their oppression of others encourages people to follow in their path" (Garrett p. 329). 4. Note that the wicked had access to the holy place. Apparently, the Jewish priests weren't rebuking such individuals for their hypocrisy. But to this day we see religious leaders who give their support and endorsement to famous and powerful individuals who are very immoral. 5. This passage should make us realize that we should put very little confidence in any "poll". Neither should we be shocked that powerful people can do terrible things, and yet still have high approval ratings with the masses. 6. When was the last time you saw anyone buried in disgrace? How many corrupt politicians, ruthless tycoons, and immoral Hollywood actors or actresses are buried with full honors?