Bible Commentary

If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offenses. 4. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee ] To the picture of the boastful self-assertion of the fool is appended as a contrast, that of the self-effacement of the wise. The scene … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 10:4”

Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth [him], and he saith to every one [that] he [is] a fool. 3. Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way ] The general drift of the proverb seems plain enough. “ Even when the fool … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 10:3”

A wise man’s heart [is] at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 2. A wise man’s heart is at his right hand ] The symbolism of the right or the left hand, the former pointing to effective, the latter to ineffective, action, is so natural that it is scarcely necessary to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 10:2”

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honor. 1. Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary ] The division of the chapters obscures the connexion. The maxim now before us is but the figurative … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 10:1”

Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. 18. Wisdom is better than weapons of war ] The maxim presents another illustration of the irony of history. The excellence of wisdom is acknowledged. Counsel is more than the materiel of war; the statesman more than the general, and yet one … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:18”

The words of wise [men are] heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 17. The words of wise men are heard in quiet ] The thought is like that of the “great cry and little wool” of the English proverb. That which tells on men, in the long run, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:17”

Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard. 16. Wisdom is better than strength ] The maxim of ch. Ecc 7:19 is reproduced, but it is traversed by the fact that the wisdom must often be content to remain unrecognised. The power … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:16”

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 15. and he by his wisdom delivered the city ] The history of the siege of Abel-beth-Maachah in 2Sa 20:14-20 presents a suggestive parallel, but there the wisdom that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:15”

[There was] a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 14. there was a little city ] The city has been identified by one commentator (Hitzig) with Dora, which was besieged unsuccessfully by Antiochus the Great in b.c. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:14”

This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it [seemed] great unto me: 13. This wisdom have I seen also ] The Debater points the moral of his previous maxim by a special illustration and it can scarcely be doubted that it was one which his first readers would recognise, though the nature … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:13”