Bible Commentary

Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. 6. Better is a handful with quietness ] The preposition is in both clauses an interpolation, and we should read “a handful of repose, two handfuls of travail and feeding on wind.” In form the saying presents a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:6”

The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 5. The fool foldeth his hands together ] Simple as the words seem they have received very different interpretations: (1) The fool (the word is the same as in ch. Ecc 2:14-16, and is that, the prominence of which in both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:5”

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. 4. I considered all travail, and every right work ] The “right work,” as in ch. Ecc 2:21, is that which is dexterous and successful, without any marked … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:4”

Yea, better [is he] than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 3. Yea, better is he than both they ] As the utterance of a personal feeling of despair we have a parallel in the words of Job (Ecc 3:11-16). As … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:3”

Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. Ecc 4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. The applause of the dead regulated, vindicated and improved Scripture itself sets us an example of applauding the virtues … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:2”

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter. 1. So I returned, and considered ] The thought that follows is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:1”

Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? 22. Wherefore I perceive ] The lesson of a tranquil regulated Epicureanism with its blending of healthy labour and calm … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:22”

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 21. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward ] The words imply a strictly sceptical rather than a negative answer. They do not actually deny, still less do they affirm, as some … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:21”

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 20. All go unto one place ] The “place” thus spoken of is not the Sheol of the Hebrews or the Hades of the Greeks, which implied, however vaguely, some notion of a shadowy disembodied existence, for the souls … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:20”

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity. 19. that which befalleth the sons of men ] More accurately, chance … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:19”