Commentary on Ecclesiastes: Introduction and Part 1 (F021)

Introduction

From Bullinger's Introduction

ECCLESIASTES; OR, THE PREACHER.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK AS. WHOLE.

Ecclesiastes 1:2; Ecclesiastes 6:9. THE CHIEF GOOD. WHAT IT IS NOT.

Ecclesiastes 6:10; Ecclesiastes 12:12. THE CHIEF GOOD. WHAT IT IS.

The name of this book comes direct from the Latin Vulgate through the Sept. version. The Hebrew name is KOHELETH. [or Qoheleth as the name of the prophet of God here], Assembler or Convener (an appellative, not a proper name). It is feminine, to agree with the word Wisdom, which is feminine, and is therefore Wisdom personified (as in Proverbs 1:20; Proverbs 8:7, and always with masculine verbs. Cp. Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35; Luke 11:49; Luke 11:50). KOHELETH is from kahal = to call, assemble, or gather together. This is what Solomon did (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:2; 1 Kings 8:5). It occurs with a feminine verb in Ecclesiastes 7:27.

The word Koheleth occurs seven times in the book (Appdx-10): three times at the beginning (Ecclesiastes 1:1; Ecclesiastes 1:2; Ecclesiastes 1:12); three times at the end (Ecclesiastes 12:8; Ecclesiastes 12:9; Ecclesiastes 12:10); and once in the middle (Ecclesiastes 7:27). This book formed part of the Hebrew Bible long before the time of Christ, and is therefore included in His word, "the Scriptures" (Matthew 22:29; 2 Timothy 3:16, &c). It is given in the list of canonical books by Josephus (A.D. 37), and is included in all the Ancient Versions made before Christ. It has been rejected by some, or put to a late date, on account of its alleged Theology. Theology is man’s reasoning about the Word of God, as Science (so called) is man’s reasoning about the Works of God. Because Genesis does not agree with Science that book is rejected by Rationalists. Because Ecclesiastes does not agree with Theology, this book is rejected, as uninspired, even by some Evangelical theologians.

True, the Bible contains an inspired record of what people said and did; and it does not follow that all that they said or did was inspired. Nevertheless, it is inconceivable that this can apply to a whole book, without a word of warning. Those who can imagine such a thing refuse the evidence that Christ in Luke 16:19 is using the language of His enemies, and in v. 31 giving His own Divine pronouncement. They strain out the gnat and swallow the camel. They do not see that, if anyone whole book is not a part of "THE ORACLES OF GOD", every Christian doctrine loses its foundation. There could have been in that case no Divine selection or preservation of books, and no Divine CANON OF SCRIPTURE. If ONE book is thus ruled out, then another may be. Doubt is thus cast upon the whole Bible, and we have no "Word of God" at all! If this book be not part of the Word and words of God, then we have no reply to those who reject Genesis, Daniel, Jonah, or the Apocalypse, who do so on the same ground of human reasoning. If the inner consciousness of each individual is to decide what is and what is not "Scripture", there is an end of Divine Revelation altogether.

In any case Solomon’s "wisdom" was given him by God (1 Kings 3:5; 1 Kings 4:29), and this "wisdom" was therefore "from above" (James 3:17), as Luke’s was (see note on Luke 1:3). Moreover, Solomon did not lose it, for it "remained with" him (Ecc. 52:9).

It must also be remembered that this work was attacked because it strikes at the very existence of the human soul after death and we will deal with that in the various texts, both in Part 1 and Part 2 at Ecclesiastes chapter 12.

Ecclesiastics Chs. 1-6 (RSV)

Chapter 1

Reflections of a Royal Philosopher

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ²Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. ³What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
⁴A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains for ever. ⁵The sun rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. ⁶The wind blows to the south, and goes round to the north; round and round goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. ⁷All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. ⁸All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. ⁹What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun. ¹⁰Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already, in the ages before us. ¹¹There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to happen among those who come after.

The Futility of Seeking Wisdom

¹²I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. ¹³And I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. ¹⁴I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. ¹⁵What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered. ¹⁶I said to myself, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.” ¹⁷And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. ¹⁸For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Intent Chapter 1

1:1-3 Title and Thesis The experiences of the individual is fleeting and insubstantial. All is vanity as “a breath” Heb. Habal used of that which soon vanishes.

Under the sun - peculiar to Ecclesiastes and occurs twenty-nine times concerning earthly things of man apart from God, but what is stated as inspired truth. Bullinger was faced with Revisionist rejections over a century ago due to their forms of theology and interpretation.

1:4-11 The evidence for the thesis is that generations pass and all is in ceaseless motion but nothing new results from the passage of time.

Heb. Olam for ages; occurs in Eccl. seven times 1:4,10; 2:16; 3:11,14; 9:6; 12:5.

1:12-2:11 Human Effort The search for the fruit of human effort is without result and itself fruitless.

It does not change the world, nor does it gain understanding, nor does it reach happiness.

1:12 Solomon knew that the kingdom was to be rent (1Kgs. 11:11,12) and the people scattered. For that reason he sought to kill Jeroboam (1Kgs. 11:39-40). The Chald. Targum says on v. 1: “These are the words of the prophecy which Qoheleth delivered when Solomon foresaw, by the spirit of prophecy, that the kingdom of Rehoboam his son would be divided by Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Was - came to be” (see Bullinger n.).

v. 13 It is an unhappy task that God has given mankind with which to be busy.

v. 15 numbered - cannot be made up.

v. 16 Solomon had only David before him in Jerusalem of his immediate ancestors. Before that it was a Jebusite city. However, he is referring back to the time that Shem was in Salem and occupied the priesthood of Melchisedek there (see Melchisedek No. 128).

vv. 17-18 Know - To analyse and thus also madness and folly. That also was a striving after wind. In wisdom is also vexation and sorrow.

The revisionists thus falsely tried to divorce the text from Solomon and were refuted by Bullinger and the earlier texts (see also the Soncino). There is no doubt that the term Koeleth applies to Solomon as the words were spoken in the Kahal or assembly. The feminine form is explained on the basis that wisdom is feminine and we will see that explained in Proverbs (see Soncino, Eccl. Ch. 1:1).

Chapter 2

The Futility of Self-Indulgence

I said to myself, “Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. ²I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” ³I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven during the few days of their life. ⁴I made great works; I built houses and planted vineyards for myself; ⁵I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. ⁶I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. ⁷I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house; I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. ⁸I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, man’s delight. ⁹So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me. ¹⁰And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. ¹¹Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Wisdom and Joy Given to One Who Pleases God

¹²So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who comes after the king? Only what he has already done. ¹³Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness. ¹⁴The wise man has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness; and yet I perceived that one fate comes to all of them. ¹⁵Then I said to myself, “What befalls the fool will befall me also; why then have I been so very wise?” And I said to myself that this also is vanity. ¹⁶For of the wise man as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise man dies just like the fool! ¹⁷So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind. ¹⁸I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me; ¹⁹and who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. ²⁰So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, ²¹because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. ²²What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun? ²³For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This also is vanity. ²⁴There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; ²⁵for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? ²⁶For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Intent of Chapter 2

2:1-3 The Meaning of Life was sought in the pursuit of wisdom.

Man. 'adam - Note its use in Eccl.

2:4-9 Solomon’s wealth is seen in 1Kgs. Ch. 10.

v. 5 Gardens and Parks - Heb. Pardesim = paradises.

The paradises in Rev. 2:7; 22:1,2 are real and substantive.

v. 9 Note that Solomon's wisdom remained with him and thus the Divine wisdom given to him by God (1Kgs. 3:5-15) remained with him. Thus this work was inspired.

v. 10 An absolute monarch is free to indulge and experiment. Qoheleth, as the prophet here, the true voice of wisdom's great discovery was that satisfaction lies in effort even without tangible results (see Introduction and also OARSV n.).

2:12-26 Mortality robs wisdom and labour of their fruits. Wisdom exceeds folly as light over darkness. However, man's solid good is present enjoyment according to the Will of God.

v. 19 Have rule Heb. Shalat. Supposed to be a later word yet appears in Ps. 119:133.

v. 26 For....pleases God The text was noted originally made in the margin of the MS by a scribe correcting the view that goodness makes no difference to man's fate. So recorded in the OARSV n.

Chapter 3

Everything Has Its Time

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: ²a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; ³a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

The God-Given Task

⁹What gain has the worker from his toil? ¹⁰I have seen the business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. ¹¹He has made everything beautiful in its time; also he has put eternity into man’s mind, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. ¹²I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; ¹³also that it is God’s gift to man that every one should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil. ¹⁴I know that whatever God does endures for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has made it so, in order that men should fear before him. ¹⁵That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Judgment and the Future Belong to God

¹⁶Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. ¹⁷I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for he has appointed a time for every matter, and for every work. ¹⁸I said in my heart with regard to the sons of men that God is testing them to show them that they are but beasts. ¹⁹For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts; for all is vanity. ²⁰All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. ²¹Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth? ²²So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should enjoy his work, for that is his lot; who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Intent of Chapter 3

3:1-15 Man can neither understand nor change the predetermined pattern of his life.

The pattern of Predestination (No. 296) is established here and reiterated in Romans 8:29-30 (F045ii).

v. 3 Time to kill That is judicially. 1Kgs. 2:23, 24, 28, 29, 34, 36, 37, 46; Pss. 78:31,34; Jer. 12:3. Outside of its proper time the taking of life is murder.

To Heal Isa. 38:5,21; 57:18. Pss. 107:20; 147:3.

To Break down Jer. 29:2,8; Ezek. 33:21; Mal. 1:4.

To Build up (cp. 2:4). Neh. 2:17, 18, 20; Ps. 102:13-16; Isa. 45:13; 58:12; 60:10. Dan. 9:25; Am. 9:11.

v. 4 To Weep. Gen. 23:2; 44:30; 2Sam. 12:21; Joel 2:17; Jer. 21:9; Lk. 6:25.

To Laugh (cp. 2:1,2); Gen. 2:1,6; Pss. 2:4; 37:13. Mat. 5:4; 9:15; Lk. 6:21; Neh. 8:9.

To Mourn Gen. 23:2; 1Sam. 16:1; Prov. 29:2; Isa. 38:14; 61:2; Jl. 1:9; Zech. 12:10,12.

To Dance 2Sam. 6:14; Pss. 149:3; 150:4; Jer. 31:13.

v. 5 To cast away stones (as out of a vineyard) Isa. 5:2; Lev. 14:40,45; Judg. 20:16; 1Kgs. 15:22; Lam. 4:1.

To gather stones together (cp. 2:4) Deut. 27:4,5; Josh. 4:3,8,20; 1Sam. 17:40; 1Kgs. 18:31,32; Ps. 102:14; Isa. 54:11.

To Embrace (cp. 2:3). Gen. 29:13; 33:4; 48:10; 2Kgs. 4:16.

To Refrain from Embracing Prov. 5:20; Jl. 2:16; 1Cor. 7:5,6.

To Get (buy or acquire). (cp. 2:8). Gen. 42:2,7,20; Ruth 4:5; 2Sam. 24:21; Isa. 55:1; Jer. 32:7; Eph. 4:28.

To Lose Gen. 31:39; Isa. 47:9; Mat. 10:39; 16:25;

To Keep 1Sam. 16:11; Prov. 7:1; Lk. 8:15; Jn. 2:10; 12:7; 2Tim. 1:14.

To Cast Away Jdg. 15:17; 2Kgs. 7:15; Isa. 31:7; Hos. 9:17; Eccl. 11:1.

v. 7 To Rend 1Sam. 15:27,28; 1Kgs. 11:11,31; 12:31; 14:8; Jl. 2:13; Jn. 19:24.

To Sew (join together, adjust). Spoken of kingdoms as rending above. Ezek. 37:52 (n.); cp. Ezra. 4:12.

To Keep Silence Lev. 10:3; Psa. 32:2; Am. 5:13; 1Tim. 2:11,12; 1Pet. 2:15; cf. Deut. 3:26; Lk. 1:22; 4:1.

To Speak Ex. 7:2; Num. 22:8; 2Sam. 7:17; Pss. 2:5; 145:6,11,21; Ezek. 2:7; Lk. 1:19,20; Jn. 16:13.

v. 8 To Love Jer. 2:2; Ezek. 16:8; Dan. 1:9; Gal. 5:13; 2Thes. 1:3.

To Hate 2Sam. 13:15; Ps. 105:25; Prov. 11:15; 15:27; 25:17; 28:16. Jn. 12:25; Jude 23.

Of War Ezek. 17:16; Num. 1:3, 20, 22; 26:2; Deut. 3:18; Jdgs. 3:2; 2Sam. 3:1; Jer. 6:4; Lk. 14:31; Rev. 12:7; 19:11,19.

Of Peace Lev. 26:6; Josh. 11:23; 14:15; Jdgs. 4:17; 1Sam. 7:14; Pss. 72:3; 85:8; Prov. 16:7; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 9:10; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 4:3.

v. 9 Laboureth Toils.

v. 10 Seen the travail Considered the business at hand. (comp. 2:23).

God = Elohim (eight times in this chapter).

Eternity Heb. Olam.(also v. 14).

v. 11 Beautiful, “right for.” Eternity. What is hidden from man's perception. Man knows only that the succession of times appears to go on forever (3:14).

v. 15 Seeks what has been driven away repeats what has happened before.

3:16-22 Injustice and oppression will be judged when God decides it is the proper time. In the meantime innocent and guilty suffer the same fate as animals.

v. 16-18 The Place of Justice The Courts; where justice should be dispensed. Righteousness is Justice tsedek. God has appointed a time for every matter and every work to be judged. God is showing men they are but beasts.

v. 19 Vanity Transience; hence man's insignificance. They all have the same breath as beasts and thus man has no value or eternal soul over animals in the material existence and is reliant upon God as we see in Ch. 12 below and in Rev. Ch. 20.

v. 21 As there is no proof (other than revelation) as to what happens after death there is nothing left but for man to enjoy his work. For that is his lot and who can bring him to see what will be after him. It is only through the law and the prophets that many can find guidance.

Chapter 4

Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. ²And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive; ³but better than both is he who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. ⁴Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. ⁵The fool folds his hands, and eats his own flesh. ⁶Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. ⁷Again, I saw vanity under the sun: ⁸a person who has no one, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

The Value of a Friend

⁹Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. ¹¹Again, if two lie together, they are warm; but how can one be warm alone? ¹²And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. ¹³Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who will no longer take advice, ¹⁴even though he had gone from prison to the throne or in his own kingdom had been born poor. ¹⁵I saw all the living who move about under the sun, as well as that youth, who was to stand in his place; ¹⁶there was no end of all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Intent of Chapter 4

4:1-12 Through greed and envy the misery of a man's life is mitigated only by human companionship.

v. 1 side Heb. Hand used because of the violence proceeding from it.

v. 2 Praised = Commended or pronounced happy. Heb. Shabach, used only by David and Solomon.

v. 3 evil Heb. Ra'a

v. 4 travail – toil as connected with trouble and sorrow. Not the same word as in 1:15; 2:23,26; 3:10; 4:8; 5:14.

Spirit Heb. ruach.

v. 5 Fool Heb. Kesil fat or inert. (cp. Prov. 1:7).

4:7-12 A miser's wealth alone is no substitute for human companionship.

v. 8 My soul Heb. Nephesh

v. 12 Prevail against =overpower Heb. Takaph. It is alleged to belong to later Hebrew but is found in Job 14:20; 15:24. These are the only three occurrences.

A threefold cord cp. Num. 6:24-26; Mic. 6:8; Titus 2:12,13; 1Thes. 1:3, 9, 10.

4:13-16 Fame is impermanent Kings who arise from obscurity are supplanted by those who arise in like manner and whose glory passes away in turn. Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king that will not take advice.

v. 13 Poor = Straightened in means and unable to profit others. (Heb. misken -Sanskr. & Indon. miskin). A derivative (miskenuth) is found in Deut. 8:9.

v. 14 Out of prison cp. Joseph (Gen. 41:40; Dan. 5:29; 6:1-3).

poor needy, or in want. Heb. Rush (cp. Prov. 6:11).

v. 16 Vexation same as 1:17; 2:12.

Chapter 5

Reverence, Humility, and Contentment

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. ²Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few. ³For a dream comes with much business, and a fool’s voice with many words. ⁴When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. ⁵It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messengerthat it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷For when dreams increase, empty words grow many:but do you fear God. ⁸If you see in a province the poor oppressed and justice and right violently taken away, do not be amazed at the matter; for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. ⁹But in all, a king is an advantage to a land with cultivated fields. ¹⁰He who loves money will not be satisfied with money; nor he who loves wealth, with gain: this also is vanity. ¹¹When goods increase, they increase who eat them; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes? ¹²Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much; but the surfeit of the rich will not let him sleep. ¹³There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, ¹⁴and those riches were lost in a bad venture; and he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. ¹⁵As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil, which he may carry away in his hand. ¹⁶This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he that he toiled for the wind, ¹⁷and spent all his days in darkness and grief,in much vexation and sickness and resentment? ¹⁸Behold, what I have seen to be good and to be fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life which God has given him, for this is his lot. ¹⁹Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil—this is the gift of God. ²⁰For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Intent of Chapter 5

5:1-7 Advice on Religious Observance.

Qoheleth, the prophet, deprecates enthusiastic but ignorant piety.

The reflective man retains his detachment and pays such vows as he makes.

v. 7 Dreams and empty phrases are associated with religion by fools. The wise man reverences God.

5:8-6:9 The wise man is not disturbed by oppression. That is the responsibility of those in authority.

5:10 He who loves money is not satisfied with money nor with gain.

v. 11 When goods increase so do those who eat them.

v. 12 Sweet is the sleep of the labourer whether he eats little or much, but the surfeit of the rich will not let him sleep.

5:13-17 An evil is where riches are retained to the hurt of an owner and lost and he has nothing to hand on to his progeny.

v. 14 Travail – fatigue from toil (see 2:23; 4:4).

v. 16 Profit – advantage.

5:18-20 He who eats and drinks and finds enjoyment in the days of his toil that God has given him. He will find joy in the days of His life that God has given him,

v. 19 man – Heb. Adam.

Chapter 6

The Frustration of Desires

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy upon men: ²a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them; this is vanity; it is a sore affliction. ³If a man begets a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but he does not enjoy life’s good things, and also has no burial, I say that an untimely birth is better off than he. ⁴For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered; ⁵moreover it has not seen the sun or known anything; yet it finds rest rather than he. ⁶Even though he should live a thousand years twice told, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place? ⁷All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. ⁸For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? ⁹Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind. ¹⁰Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. ¹¹The more words, the more vanity, and what is man the better? ¹²For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

Intent of Chapter 6

6:1-6 Where God gives wealth, possessions and honour so that a man has them but has no power to enjoy them, and a stranger does, then that is vanity and a sore affliction. Where he has a hundred children and lives many years but does not enjoy the good things and has no burial, then an untimely birth is better off than he. Such a birth comes into vanity and goes into darkness with its name covered. It has not seen the sun, yet it finds rest rather than he even though he were to live an extended life. All go to the grave in anticipation of the Resurrection at the end of the age.

v. 1 Men Heb. Adam with the article = humanity

v. 2 Man (Heb. Ish).

God = Elohim with the article. The One True God.

6:7-9 The toil of a man is for food and yet even then his appetite is not satisfied. What advantage has the wise over the fool?

v. 7 appetite = Heb. Nephesh.

6:10-12 Whatever has come to be has already been named. Man is not able to strive with one stronger than he and the more words the more vanity. Who can tell man what is better while he lives out his vain life. Who can tell man what will come after him under the sun?

Man = Adam. The name means vegetable mould (see Bullinger) and it conveys the meaning of made after the likeness of elohim (Gen. 1:27; 2:7; 5:1,2). Made of earth he returns to earth (1Cor. 15:17), hence vanity. This book is considered a comment on Ps. 144:4)

v. 12 the few days of his vain life = The numbered days of his vain life.

Bullinger’s Notes on Chs. 1-6 (for KJV)

Chapter 1

Verse 1

The words. Rashi says that, when this expression occurs at the beginning of a book, it shows that the book is meant for reproof, and he gives evidence from Deuteronomy 1:1 (Compare Ecc 32:15). Amos 1:1 (Compare Ecclesiastes 4:1 ). Jeremiah 1:1 (Compare Ecc 30:6 ). David, 2 Samuel 23:1 (Compare Ecclesiastes 1:6 ).

the Preacher. This comes from Luther's version "Prediger"; but "Koheleth" does not include the idea of preaching. Some of its teaching is individual (Ecclesiastes 3:17 ); and succeeding appeals are in the second person.

Verse 2

Vanity of vanities. Figure of speech Polyptoton. Note also the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which Ecclesiastes 1:2 begins and ends with the same word. These Figures are used for the greatest emphasis, and denote utter vanity.

all = the whole, or "the sum total". Not everything in the universe, but all the human labours of Ecclesiastes 1:3 , Ecclesiastes 1:8 .

vanity. Heb habal, used of that which soon vanishes.

Verse 3

man. Hebrew. 'adam = the natural man. App-14 .

labour = toil.

under the sun. This expression is peculiar to this book, and occurs twenty-nine times: (Ecclesiastes 1:3 , Ecclesiastes 1:9 , Ecclesiastes 1:14 ; Ecclesiastes 2:11 , Ecclesiastes 2:17 , Ecclesiastes 2:18 , Ecclesiastes 2:19 , Ecclesiastes 2:20 , Ecclesiastes 2:22 ; Ecclesiastes 3:16 ; Ecclesiastes 4:1 , Ecclesiastes 4:3 , Ecclesiastes 4:7 , Ecclesiastes 4:15 ; Ecclesiastes 5:13 , Ecclesiastes 5:18 ; Ecclesiastes 6:1 , Ecclesiastes 6:12 ; Ecclesiastes 8:9 , Ecclesiastes 8:15 , Ecclesiastes 8:15 , Ecclesiastes 8:17 ; Ecclesiastes 9:3 , Ecclesiastes 9:6 , Ecclesiastes 9:9 , Ecclesiastes 9:9 , Ecclesiastes 9:11 , Ecclesiastes 9:13 ; Ecclesiastes 10:5 ). It is equivalent to "upon the earth" (Ecclesiastes 5:2 ; Ecclesiastes 8:14 , Ecclesiastes 8:16 ; Ecclesiastes 10:7 ; Ecclesiastes 11:2 , Ecclesiastes 11:3 ). It refers to all that is connected with earthly things as such, and with man apart from God, but what is stated is inspired truth. If what is stated here seems to be a "discrepancy" when compared with other scriptures, then these latter must be dealt with and reconciled and harmonized as other supposed "discrepancies" usually are; not cast aside as uninspired. It may be that it is man's theology which has yet to be conformed to these inspired statements.

Verse 4

abideth = standeth still, as in first occurrence (Genesis 18:8 , Genesis 18:22 ; Genesis 19:27 . Joshua 18:5 . Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:90 ).

for ever. Hebrew ' olam = for ages; 'olam occurs in Ecc. seven times: Ecclesiastes 1:4 , Ecclesiastes 1:10 ; Ecclesiastes 2:16 ; Ecclesiastes 3:11 , Ecclesiastes 3:14 ; Ecclesiastes 9:6 ; Ecclesiastes 12:5 . See the notes thereon.

It = the world in relation to time past and future: as we use it when we speak of the ancient world, the old world, the modern world, the world to come, the Roman world. -

Verse 5

The Hebrew pauses in this verse are remarkable, and need a semicolon between each clause.

Verse 6

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . The first part of Ecclesiastes 1:6 continues the motion of the sun, going to the south (in winter) and turning about to the north (in summer).

it whirleth: i.e. the wind whirleth. This is the subject of Ecclesiastes 1:6 .

Verse 7

they return again. This is the point of the illustration. Compare Job 36:27 .

Verse 8

labour = weariness.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

the eye. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and the eye".

Verse 11

remembrance = memorial.

of former things. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ) with the word "men", to complete the argument from verses: Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 -. The Chaldee for the former [men] version supplies the word "generation".

after = "after [them]", or at the last'

Verse 12

I. Solomon knew that the kingdom was to be rent (1 Kings 11:11 , 1 Kings 11:12 ) and the People scattered; therefore he sought to kill Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:39-40 ). The Chaldee Targum says, on Ecclesiastes 1:1 , "These are the words of the prophecy which Koheleth delivered when Solomon foresaw, by the Spirit of prophecy, that the kingdom of Rehoboam his son would be divided by Jeroboam the son of Nebat".

was = came to be.

over Israel. Solomon was the only king of which this was wholly true.

Verse 13

wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

under heaven = under the heavens. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "under the sun".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . The title "Jehovah" is not used in Ecclesiastes, as this book refers to man in relation to his Creator only; not to man in covenant with Him as "Jehovah". Hence the frequent use of Hebrew. 'adam for "man" in this book.

exercised = humbled.

Verse 14

vanity. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2 .

vexation of spirit = feeding on wind. The expression occurs nine times (Ecclesiastes 1:14 , Ecclesiastes 1:17 ; Ecclesiastes 2:11 , Ecclesiastes 2:17 , Ecclesiastes 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 4:4 , Ecclesiastes 4:6 , Ecclesiastes 4:16 ; Ecclesiastes 6:9 .)

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 16

my heart = I myself.

had = saw.

Verse 17

madness = the opposite of wisdom, as displayed in the loss of self-control; raving with self-conceit. So elsewhere in this book.

folly = infatuation. Hebrew. sakal. See note on- "wisdom", Proverbs 1:2 .

vexation, &c. Not the same phrase in Hebrew as in Ecclesiastes 1:14 .

Verse 18

grief = mortification.

sorrow = smarting.

Chapter 2

Verse 1

enjoy = look thou into.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Verse 2

of laughter = to laughter.

It is mad. See note on "madness", Ecclesiastes 1:17 .

of mirth = to mirth.

What doeth it? = What doth she do?

Verse 3

in mine heart : i.e. resolved.

to give myself unto: or, how to enlist, by wine, my very flesh [in the work]: i.e. the work of proving the heart with mirth "yet retaining wisdom".

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

wisdom. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 . men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . Note the use of this word in Ecc. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .

under the heaven. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "sun", to which it is equivalent.

all the days = the numbered days.

Verse 4

made me great works = increased or multiplied my possessions.

works. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the results and effects gained by work. Compare Exodus 23:12 . 1 Samuel 25:2 .Isaiah 26:12 .

Verse 5

orchards. Hebrew. pardesim = paradises, parks, or pleasure grounds. Different from "gardens", which were cultivated (Deuteronomy 11:10 . 1 Kings 21:2 ). Paradises were formed by eastern monarchs. In the British Museum may be seen the inscriptions of Gudea, the greatest of the Sumerian rulers of Chaldea (2500 B.C.), and Tiglath-pileser I, king of Assyria (1120 B. C), describing what could be only a botanical and zoological park. Assur-nazir-pal, king of Assyria (885 B. C), founded such a public paradise, and describes how he stocked it; what he brought, and whence he brought the natural history collection. The British Museum contains a portion of a similar catalogue of Sennacherib. The Paradise in Revelation 2:7 ; Revelation 22:1 , Revelation 22:2 , refers to the future paradise, which will be as literal and real, not figurative.

Verse 6

wood = forest.

Verse 7

got me servants = bought me servants. Hebrew bondage has nothing in common with Greek, Roman, or African slavery. There is no word for such slavery in Hebrew; 'ebed = labourer, is the name of all Jehovah's servants.

Verse 8

gathered = amassed. Hebrew. kanas, said to be a later Hebrew word (see App-76 .)

the provinces. Hebrew. medinah, from dun = to rule, hence a country. There is no article before "kings", because they constantly change, whereas countries do not change. This is another word which is said to be of later date, but it is found in 1 Kings 20:14 , 1 Kings 20:15 , 1Ki 20:17 , 1 Kings 20:19 . Lamentations 1:1 .Ezekiel 19:8 . See App-76 . Compare note on "event" in Ecclesiastes 2:14 .

remained. The Divine wisdom given by God (1 Kings 3:5-15 ) had not been taken away. See note at foot of p. 906. This must be remembered in reading this book. Like Luke's "understanding" it came "from above". See note on "very first" (Luke 1:3 ).

Verse 10

labour = toil.

was = came to be.

portion = share, as in Ecclesiastes 3:22 .

Verse 11

Then = But when.

looked = turned in order to look, as in Ecclesiastes 2:12 .

vanity. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2 .

vexation of spirit = feeding on wind. Compare Ecclesiastes 1:14 .

Verse 12

behold = consider.

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:1 .

Verse 14

fool. Hebrew. kesil = fat, inert. Same word as in verses: Ecclesiastes 2:15 , Ecclesiastes 2:16 ; not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 2:19 .

and I myself perceived = and I too knew: i.e. as well as they.

event = a happening. Hebrew. mikreh. Said to be a later word, but it occurs in 1Sa 6:9 ; 1 Samuel 20:26 . Ruth 2:3 . See note on Ecclesiastes 2:8 .

Verse 15

said I in my heart = spake with myself.

to me. Hebrew "to me, even to me" (Emphatic).

Verse 16

remembrance = memorial, as in Ecclesiastes 1:11 , Ecclesiastes 1:11 .

of = for.

for ever. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:4 .

seeing that which now is = for, as in time past.

as the fool. Compare Psalms 49:10 . 2 Samuel 3:33 .

Verse 17

life. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject) for the pleasure enjoyed in it.

Verse 18

labour. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for all that is produced by toil.

taken = toiled.

Verse 19

fool. Hebrew. sakal = stupid. Not the game word as in verses: Ecclesiastes 2:14 , Ecclesiastes 2:15 , Ecclesiastes 2:16 .

have rule. Hebrew. shaLatin Supposed to be a later Hebrew word, but it occurs in Psalms 119:133 .

shewed myself wise = acted wisely.

Verse 20

took = toiled. Some codices, with two early printed editions, add wherein I had acted wisely

there = here.

leave it = "leave it [to another]".

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Verse 22

vexation = feeding, or delight. Same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:17 ; Ecclesiastes 4:16 . Not the same as in verses: Ecclesiastes 2:11 , Ecclesiastes 2:17 , Ecclesiastes 2:26 .

Verse 23

travail = toil that brings about fatigue. The same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:13 ; Ecclesiastes 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 4:8 ; Ecclesiastes 5:14 . Not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 4:4 , Ecclesiastes 4:6 . Occurs only in Ecclesiastes.

Verse 24

nothing better = no goodness.

better. Occurs in Ecclesiastes 2:24 ; Ecclesiastes 3:22 ; Ecclesiastes 4:3 , Ecclesiastes 4:6 , Ecclesiastes 4:9 , Ecclesiastes 4:13 , &c.

than. Ginsburg thinks this "than" should be in the text.

his soul = himself. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

it: i.e. true enjoyment. Omit the preceding italics.

God. Hebrew. h a- 'Elohim = the [true] God ( App-4 . with Art.) God (as Creator) is the subject which is continued through the next verse as the source and giver of all good. It is not therefore necessary to suppose that "another hand has been here at work".

Verse 25

who else can hasten hereunto = who can enjoy?

more than I. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic, read mimmennu, instead of mimmenni, "without Him" (i.e. without His favour).

Verse 26

sinner. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 . Occurs again in Ecclesiastes six times. (Ecclesiastes 5:6 ; Ecclesiastes 7:20 , Ecclesiastes 7:26 ; Ecclesiastes 8:12 ; Ecclesiastes 9:2 , Ecclesiastes 9:18 ).

gather = gather in. Not the same word as Ecclesiastes 2:8

Chapter 3

Verse 1

a season = an appointed time. Hebrew. zrman. Compare Ezra 10:14 .Nehemiah 2:6 . Esther 9:27 . A word is not necessarily a "later" word, because there has not been occasion for it to be used, or needed before. See App-76 .

a time = a season. Note the 28 "seasons" (= 4x7. See App-10 .) In Hebrew Manuscripts these are set out in 14 lines; 2 in a line, with a space between each pair.

purpose. Hebrew. hephez. Alleged to be later Hebrew. See App-76 .

under the heaven. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

Verse 2

to be born = to bear. Genesis 17:17 , Genesis 17:21 ; Genesis 18:14 ; Genesis 21:2 .

to die. Psalms 31:5 , Psalms 31:15 .Hebrews 9:27 .

to plant (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:5 ): it is beyond man's power to alter the seasons. Applied to a kingdom. Psalms 44:2 ; Psalms 80:8 , Psalms 80:12 , Psalms 80:13 .Jeremiah 18:9 . Amos 9:15 .

to pluck up, &c. Jeremiah 18:7 , Jeremiah 18:9 .

Verse 3

to kill: i.e. Jud 1 Kings 2:23 , 1 Kings 2:24 , 1Ki 2:28 , 1 Kings 2:29 , 1 Kings 2:34 ; 1Ki 2:36 , 1 Kings 2:37 , 1 Kings 2:46 . Psa 88:31 , Psa 88:34 .Jeremiah 12:8 . Out of its proper "time", "to kill" is to murder. There is no "time" for this.

to heal. Isaiah 38:5 , Isaiah 38:21 ; Isaiah 57:18 . Psalms 107:20 ; Psalms 147:3 .

to break down. Jeremiah 39:2 , Jeremiah 39:8 . Ezekiel 33:21 .Malachi 1:4 .

to build up (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:4 ). Nehemiah 2:17 , Nehemiah 2:18 , Nehemiah 2:20 . Psalms 102:13-16 . Isaiah 45:13 ; Isaiah 58:12 ; Isaiah 60:10 . Daniel 9:25 .Amos 9:11 .

Verse 4

to weep. Genesis 23:2 ; Gen 44:30 . 2 Samuel 12:21 .Joel 2:17 . Jeremiah 21:9 . Luke 6:25 .

to laugh (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:1 , Ecclesiastes 2:2 ). Genesis 21:6 . Psalms 2:4 ; Psalms 37:13 .Matthew 5:4 ; Matthew 9:15 .Luke 6:21 .Nehemiah 8:9 .

to mourn. Genesis 23:2 . 1 Samuel 16:1 .Proverbs 29:2 .Isaiah 38:14 ; Isaiah 61:2 .Joel 1:9 .

to dance. 2 Samuel 6:14 .Psalms 149:3 ; Psalms 150:4 .Jeremiah 31:13 .

Verse 5

to cast away stones: as out of a vineyard. Isaiah 5:2 .Leviticus 14:40 , Leviticus 14:45 Judges 20:16 . 1 Kings 15:22 .Lamentations 4:1 .

to gather stones together (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:4 ). Deuteronomy 27:4 , Deuteronomy 27:5 .Joshua 4:3 , Joshua 4:8 , Joshua 4:20 ; 1Sa 17:40 . 1 Kings 18:31 , 1 Kings 18:32 .Psalms 102:14 .

to embrace (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:3 ). Genesis 29:13 ; Genesis 33:4 ; Genesis 48:10 .

to refrain from embracing. Proverbs 5:20 . Joe 2:16 . 1 Corinthians 7:5 , 1 Corinthians 7:6 .

Verse 6

to get = to buy, or acquire (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:8 ). Genesis 42:2 , Genesis 42:7 , Genesis 42:20 . Rth 4:5 . 2 Samuel 24:21 .Isaiah 55:1 .Jeremiah 32:7 . Ephesians 4:28 .

to lose. Genesis 31:39 . Matthew 10:39 ; Matthew 16:25 , Isaiah 47:9 .

to keep. 1 Samuel 16:11 .Proverbs 7:1 .Luke 8:15 . 2 Timothy 1:14 .John 2:10 ; John 12:7 .

to cast away. Judges 15:17 . 2 Kings 7:15 .Isaiah 31:7 . Hosea 9:17 . Hosea 11:1 .

Verse 7

to rend. 1 Samuel 15:27 , 1 Samuel 15:28 ; 1Ki 11:11 , 1 Kings 11:31 ; 1 Kings 12:31 ; 1 Kings 14:8 . Joel 2:13 . Joh 19:24 .

to sew = to join together, adjust. Spoken of kingdom, as "rending" is: Ezekiel 37:15 , Ezekiel 37:22 , and references there. Compare Ezra 4:12 , margin.

to keep silence. Leviticus 10:3 .Psalms 32:2 . Amo 5:13 . 1 Timothy 2:11 , 1 Timothy 2:12 ; 1 Peter 2:15 . Compare Deu t. Ecc 3:26 . Luke 1:22 ; Luke 4:41 .

to speak. Exodus 7:2 . Num 22:8 . 2 Samuel 7:17 . Psalms 2:5 ; Psalms 145:6 , Psalms 145:11 , Psalms 145:21 .Ezekiel 2:7 . Luke 1:19 , Luke 1:20 . John 16:13 .

Verse 8

to love. Jeremiah 2:2 .Ezekiel 16:8 . Daniel 1:9 . Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:13 . 2 Thessalonians 1:3 .

to hate. 2 Samuel 13:15 .Psalms 105:25 .Proverbs 25:17 . Luke 14:26 . Proverbs 11:15 ; Proverbs 15:27 ; Proverbs 28:16 . John 12:25 .Jude 1:23 .

of war. Exodus 17:16 . Numbers 1:3 , Numbers 1:20 , Numbers 1:22 ; Numbers 26:2 .Deuteronomy 3:18 . Judges 3:2 . 2 Samuel 3:1 .Jeremiah 6:4 .Luke 14:31 .Revelation 12:7 ; Revelation 19:11 , Revelation 19:19 .

of peace. Joshua 11:23 ; Joshua 14:15 .Leviticus 26:6 . Judges 4:17 . 1 Samuel 7:14 .Psalms 72:3 ; Psalms 85:8 . Proverbs 16:7 . Isaiah 9:7 . Zechariah 9:10 . Romans 5:1 .Ephesians 4:3 .

Verse 9

laboureth = toileth.

Verse 10

seen the travail = considered the business.

travail. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23 .

Verse 11

his time = its proper season.

set = put.

the world. Hebrew. 'olam = the ages; or the world (in relation to time). Here, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for that which is inscrutable by man, viz. obscurity as to the past and the future ages, resulting in man's incapacity for finding out, or comprehending the whole of what God doeth. This has resulted from the Fall.

their: i.e. the sons of men (Ecclesiastes 3:10 ).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the true God, or the Deity. App-4 .

maketh = hath made, or done.

beginning to the end. The reason being given in Ecclesiastes 3:14 . Man sees his own times of verses: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ; but what God doeth is from time past to time future (Ecclesiastes 3:14 ); so that man cannot find that out to the end from the beginning.

the end. Hebrew. soph . One of the words said to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in 1Ch 20:16 ("conclusion"), and Joel 2:20 ("hinder part"). See also Ecclesiastes 7:2 ; Ecclesiastes 12:13 , and App-76 .

Verse 12

in them: i.e. in God's works.

in = during.

Verse 14

for ever. Same word as "world "in Ecclesiastes 3:11 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:4 .

Verse 16

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:1 .

wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

iniquity. Same word as "wickedness" above. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ).

Verse 17

the righteous = a righteous one.

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha' App-44 .

Verse 18

God. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:11 , and note on Ecclesiastes 1:11 .

God might manifest them = God hath chosen them to show them that even they are beasts.

beasts = living creatures. As opposed to man = mammals: as opposed to creeping things = quadrupeds: as opposed to wild beasts = cattle.

Verse 19

that which befalleth. See note on "event", Ecclesiastes 2:14 ; and App-76 .

one thing: i.e. death.

one breath = one spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Compare Genesis 2:7 with Genesis 1:20 , Genesis 1:21 , Genesis 1:24 , Genesis 1:30 ; and App-13 .

no preeminence, &c. Compare Psalms 49:12 , Psalms 49:20 ; Psalms 146:4 .

Verse 20

one place: i.e. Sheol, or the grave.

of the dust. See Genesis 1:24 ; Genesis 2:7 , Genesis 2:19 ; Genesis 3:19 .

turn to dust again. See Genesis 3:19 . Psalms 22:15 ; Psalms 104:29 ; Psalms 146:4 .Job 10:9 ; Job 34:15 . Compare Ch. Ecclesiastes 12:7 .

Verse 21

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

of man. Hebrew "of the sons of Adam". See notes on verses: Ecclesiastes 3:3 , Ecclesiastes 3:10 , Ecclesiastes 3:13 ; Ecclesiastes 1:13 .

that goeth, &c. This is mentioned as one of the emendations of the Sopherim, though it is not included in the official lists (see App-33 ). The primitive Text read the letter He (= H) as an interrogative, "whether it go" (Compare Ecclesiastes 2:19 ; Ecclesiastes 6:12 ). The Chaldee, Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate, Luther, Geneva, and Revised Version follow this reading. Another school took the He (= H) as the article pronoun and read "that goeth", &c, thus avoiding a supposed objection to its public reading. This was followed by Coverdale, the Bishops' Bible, and the Authorized Version. It is therefore the Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), leaving the question to he answered at the end of the book (Ecclesiastes 12:7 ).

Verse 22

better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 . Compare Ecclesiastes 11:9 .

portion = share, as in Ecclesiastes 2:10 , i.e. in the present life.

Chapter 4

Verse 1

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

side. Hebrew "hand": put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the violence proceeding from it.

they: i.e. the oppressed. The phrase repeated for emphasis. Figure of speech Epistrophe. App-6 .Verse 2

praised = commended, or pronounced happy. Hebrew. sliabach, used only by David and Solomon.

Verse 3

better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 .

Verse 4

travail = toil, as connected with trouble, sorrow. Not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:13 ; Ecclesiastes 2:23 , Ecclesiastes 2:26 ; Ecclesiastes 3:10 ; Ecclesiastes 4:8 ; Ecclesiastes 5:14 .

every right work = all the dexterity in work.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

vexation, &c. = feeding on wind. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:14 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 5

fool. Hebrew. kesil, fat, inert. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 8

child = son.

labour = toil.

my soul = myself.

travail = fatigue from toil. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23 , Ecclesiastes 2:26 .

Verse 12

prevail against = overpower. Hebrew. takaph, supposed to belong to later Hebrew, but it is found in Job 14:20 with Job 15:24 (the only three occurrences). See App-76 .

a threefold cord. Compare Numbers 6:24-26 . Micah 6:8 . Titus 2:12 , Titus 2:13 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 with 1 Thessalonians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 1:10 .

Verse 13

poor = straitened in means, not able to profit others. Hebrew. misken. Not the same as in Ecclesiastes 4:14 . Supposed to be a later Hebrew word, but a derivative of it is found in Deuteronomy 8:9 . See App-76 .

Verse 14

out of prison, &c. Compare Joseph (Genesis 41:40 ); Daniel (Daniel 5:29 ; Daniel 6:1-3 ).

born, &c. Compare Rehoboam, robbed by Shishak (1 Kings 14:25-28 ).

poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 6:16

vexation. The same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:17 ; Ecclesiastes 2:22 .

Chapter 5

Verse 1

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art) = the [true] God, or the Deity. App-4 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .

hear = obey.

fools = fat, inert. Hebrew kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 2

thing = word.

upon earth. Same idea as "under the sun". See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

Verse 4

vowest a vow = makest a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

pleasure. See note on "purpose", Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 .

Verse 5

Better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 .

Verse 6

to cause, &c. : by vows made concerning the flesh, such as eating and drinking, marrying, &c.

angel = messenger. Compare Malachi 2:7 .

error. Hebrew. shagag. App-44 .

wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

voice. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the vain words uttered by it; referring to Ecclesiastes 5:1 .

destroy = confiscate.

work. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulg, read "works" (plural)

Verse 7

divers vanities. Plural of emphasis = great vanity: i.e. in many dreams and many words, also [there is] great vanity: referring to Ecclesiastes 5:3 above.

Verse 8

poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14 .

province. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:8 , and App-76 .

matter. Hebrew purpose or desire, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the effect of it. Hebrew. hephez, one of the words supposed to be later Hebrew. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 .

He That is higher, &c. = the high One above the high one regardeth, even the Most High is over them.

Verse 9

is = "it [is]. "

for all = [consists] in the whole, i.e. not confined to one day.

Verse 10

nor he that loveth, &c. = And who is [ever] content with abundance without increase (capital without interest). No socialism or "corruption" of text here.

Verse 11

good = advantage.

owners. Plural of emphasis.

their = his.

Verse 12

to sleep = to sleep soundly.

Verse 13

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

Verse 14

travail = fatigue from toil. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23 , and Ecclesiastes 4:4 .

Verse 15

As = According as. Compare Job 1:21 .Psalms 49:17 , Psalms 49:1 .

Verse 16

profit = advantage.

laboured = toiled.

wind Hebrew. ruach .

Verse 18

comely = well.

Verse 19

man . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .

the gift = a gift.

Verse 20

answereth = causeth [things] to respond, as in Hosea 2:21 , Hosea 2:22 . See note on Ecclesiastes 10:19 .

Chapter 6

Verse 1

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

men. Hebrew. adam (with Art.) = humanity. App-14 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .Verse 2

God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art.) = the [true] God, or the Deity. App-4 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .

wealth. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:19 .

his soul = himself. Hebrew. nephesh.

vanity. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2 .

Verse 3

filled = satisfied.

Verse 4

he cometh: i.e. in the untimely birth of Ecclesiastes 6:3 .

Verse 6

do not all. ? Figure of speech Erotesis (in Affirmation), App-6 . Compare Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 .

one place: i.e. Sheol. App-35 .

Verse 7

labour = toil.

the appetite = the soul. Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 8

what = what [advantage].

the wise = a wise one, or sage.

the fool = a fool. Hebrew. kesil . See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

the poor = a wretched one. Heb 'anah. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 9

Better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 .

the sight of = what is seen by.

the wandering of = what is pursued by.

the desire = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . No Art.

vexation of spirit. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:14 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 ,

Verse 10

That which hath been is named already, &c. : "What is he who hath been? "(Compare Ecclesiastes 1:9 ). Long ago his name was given; And it is understood what [that name was,]-- It was Adam": which means vegetable mould, made in the likeness of Elohim, Genesis 1:27 ; Genesis 2:7 ; Genesis 5:1 , Genesis 5:2 . Made of "earth" he returns to earth (1 Corinthians 15:47 ): i.e. "vanity". This book is a comment on Psalms 144:4 . Compare Psalms 39:0 ; Psalms 49:0 ; Psalms 62:0 .

Verse 12

all the days of his vain life = the numbered days of his vain life.

for = as to which.

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