Bible Commentary

All [things come] alike to all: [there is] one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as [is] the good, so [is] the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as [he] that feareth an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:2”

For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, [are] in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred [by] all [that is] before them. For all this I considered in my heart ] More literally, For to all … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 9:1”

Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labor to seek [it] out, yet he shall not find [it]; yea further; though a wise [man] think to know [it], yet shall he not be able to find … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:17”

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also [there is that] neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes: ) 16. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom ] The opening formula has met us before in ch. Ecc 1:13. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:16”

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. 15. Then I commended mirth ] As before in chs. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:15”

There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just [men], unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked [men], to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also [is] vanity. 14. There is a vanity ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:14”

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 13. neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow ] The words seem at first in direct contradiction to the admission of the previous verse. But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:13”

Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 12. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times ] The definite number is used, of course, as in Pro 17:10; or the “hundred … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:12”

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 11. Because sentence against an evil work ] The word for “sentence” is only found here and in Est 1:20, where it is translated “decree” and is probably of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:11”

And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this [is] also vanity. 10. And so I saw the wicked buried ] The English version is scarcely intelligible, and as far as it is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 8:10”