Bible Commentary

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 18. I said in mine heart ] The word “estate” expresses fairly the meaning of the Hebrew noun, which may be rendered “word,” “matter,” or “subject.” In … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:18”

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work. 17. God shall judge the righteous and the wicked ] The words “I said in my heart” introduce this as the first thought that rises unbidden at the sight … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:17”

And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there. 16. I saw under the sun the place of judgment ] The Hebrew gives slightly different forms of the same noun, so as to gain the emphasis, without the monotony, of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:16”

That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 15. God requireth that which is past ] Better, seeks after that which is put to flight. The old thought of the uniformity of sequence in nature and in history which had before … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:15”

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him. 14. I know that, whatsoever God doeth ] We ask once again whether we are brought face to face with the thought of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:14”

And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it [is] the gift of God. 13. And also that every man ] The addition of this clause confirms the interpretation just given of the “doing good” of the preceding verse. Had that meant simply enjoyment, this clause … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:13”

I know that [there is] no good in them, but for [a man] to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 12. for a man to rejoice, and to do good ] There is no instance in O. T. language of the phrase “do good” being used, like the Greek , in the sense … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:12”

He hath made every [thing] beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time ] Better, as removing the ambiguity of the possessive … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:11”

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given ] Better perhaps, I have seen the labour, or the business. As before, in the preceding verse, the thinker, once back in the old groove of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:10”

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? 9. What profit hath he that worketh? ] The long induction is completed, and yet is followed by the same despairing question as that of ch. Ecc 1:3, asked as from a stand-point that commands a wider horizon. Does not this very thought of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 3:9”