Bible Commentary

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. 12. as the fishes that are taken in an evil net … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:12”

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 11. that the race is not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:11”

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do ] Here again men have interpreted the maxim according to their characters; some seeing in “whatsoever thy hand findeth” simply … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:10”

Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that [is] thy portion in [this] life, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun. 9. Live joyfully with the wife … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:9”

Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 8. Let thy garments be always white ] In the symbolism of colours, so universal that we may almost call it natural, white garments, cool and refreshing in the heat of an Eastern climate, have always been associated with the idea of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:8”

Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 7. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy ] The Debater falls back, as before, on the Epicurean rule of tranquil regulated enjoyment, as in chs. Ecc 2:24, Ecc 3:12; Ecc 3:22, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:7”

Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any [thing] that is done under the sun. 6. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished ] The three passions are named as strongest and most vehement in their … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:6”

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 5. For the living know that they shall die ] The writer in one of the strange paradoxes of the mood of pessimism finds that though … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:5”

For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 4. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope ] A different and preferable punctuation gives the rendering: For who is specially chosen, i.e. who is excepted … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:4”

This [is] an evil among all [things] that are done under the sun, that [there is] one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness [is] in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead. 3. This is an evil … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:3”