Bible Commentary

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. 10. He that loveth silver ] The sequence of thought led the Debater from the evils of the love of money as seen in mis-government to those which are seen in the life of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:10”

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field. 9. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all ] The verse is difficult and has been very variously interpreted. The most satisfactory renderings follow: But the profit of a land every way is a king for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:9”

If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for [he that is] higher than the highest regardeth; and [there be] higher than they. 8. If thou seest the oppression of the poor ] From the follies of the religious life … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:8”

For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God. 7. For in the multitude of dreams ] The order of the words in the A. V. is not that of the Hebrew, which gives For in the multitude of dreams and vanities and many words, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:7”

Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it [was] an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? 6. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin ] The “mouth” may refer either to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:6”

Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 5. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow ] The point which the Teacher seeks to press is obviously the optional character of vows. They form no part of the essentials of religion, they are to be deprecated … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:5”

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God ] The words are almost a reproduction of Deu 23:22-24. They point to a time when vows, such as are here referred … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:4”

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice [is known] by multitude of words. 3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business ] The one psychological fact is meant to illustrate the other. The mind that has lost the power to re-collect itself, haunted and harassed by the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:3”

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth ] The rule follows the worshipper from the threshold into the Temple-court and tells … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:2”

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 1. Keep thy foot ] In the Heb., LXX. and Vulg. this verse forms the conclusion to chap. 4. The English version is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 5:1”