Bible Commentary

Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 28. one man among a thousand have I found ] We have, in the absence of an adjective, to supply the thought “a man such as he ought … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:28”

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account: 27. saith the Preacher ] The passage is remarkable as being the solitary instance in the book in which the name Koheleth, feminine in form, yet elsewhere treated as masculine, is joined with the feminine form of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:27”

And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 26. And I find more bitter than death ] The result is a strange one in its contrast to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:26”

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness: 25. I applied mine heart to know ] The present text and punctuation give, as in the marginal reading of the A. V., I … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:25”

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 24. That which is far off and exceeding deep ] The English of the latter clause scarcely expresses the Hebrew more emphatic iteration and deep deep. By some interpreters a like iteration is supplied in the first clause, far off is that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:24”

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me. 23. I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me ] The words express at once the high aim of the seeker and his sense of incompleteness. Wisdom in its fulness was for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:23”

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. 22. For oftentimes also thine own heart ] The rule of the previous verse is backed by an appeal to a man’s own conscience, “ mutato nomine de te fabula narratur.” “Thou too art not free from the habit of censorious … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:22”

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 21. Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken ] The train of thought leads on to another rule of conduct. The fact that all men sin is shewn by the words with which men talk … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:21”

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 20. For there is not a just man upon earth ] The sequence of thought is again obscure. We fail at first to see how the fact of man’s sinfulness is the ground of the maxim that wisdom is a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:20”

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city. 19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise ] The fact that the Debater had not forgotten that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Pro 1:7; Psa 111:10; Job 28:21) serves as the connecting link between this and the preceding … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 7:19”