Bible Commentary

For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart. 20. he shall not much remember the days of his life ] This follows the order of the Hebrew and gives a satisfying meaning: The man who has learnt the secret of enjoyment is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:20”

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this [is] the gift of God. 19. this is the gift of God ] The words indicate a return to the sense of dependence on … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:19”

Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion. 18. Behold that which I have seen … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:18”

All his days also he eateth in darkness, and [he hath] much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 17. he eateth in darkness ] The words are so natural a figure of a cheerless life with no “sweetness and light” in it (comp. Mic 7:8), that there is something almost ludicrous in the prosaic literalism … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:17”

And this also [is] a sore evil, [that] in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind? 16. what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? ] The ever-recurring question (ch. Ecc 1:3, Ecc 2:22, Ecc 3:9) rises once again, “What … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:16”

As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry way in his hand. 15. As he came forth of his mother’s womb ] The words so closely resemble those of Job 1:21 that it is natural … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:15”

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand. Evil travail – Adverse accident, or unsuccessful employment (compare Ecc 1:13; Ecc 4:8). Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible Verse 14. And he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.] He has … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:14”

There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 13. riches kept for the owners thereof ] Yet another aspect of the evils attendant on riches is brought before us, as in ch. Ecc 2:18-19. Not only do they fail to give … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:13”

The sleep of a laboring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 12. The sleep of a labouring man is sweet ] We may probably, as suggested in the “Ideal Biography” of the Introduction ch. iii., see in this reflection the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:12”

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes? 11. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them ] The fact is one which has met the gaze of the moralists of all countries. A large household, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:11”