Bible Commentary

[There is] nothing better for a man, [than] that he should eat and drink, and [that] he should make his soul good in his labor. This also I saw, that it [was] from the hand of God. 24. There is nothing better for a man ] The Hebrew, as it stands, gives a meaning which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:24”

For all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. 23. yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night ] The verse speaks out the experience of the men who labour for that which does not profit. There is no real … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:23”

For what hath man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun? 22. the vexation of his heart ] The word differs from that for which “ feeding on wind ” has been suggested, but is akin to it, and has been, as in Ecc … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:22”

For there is a man whose labor [is] in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it [for] his portion. This also [is] vanity and a great evil. 21. For there is a man ] It is characteristic of the Debater that he … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:21”

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun. 20. I went about to cause my heart to despair ] The verb for despair is not a common one. Another form of it meets us in the emphatic cry, “There is no hope” of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:20”

And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise [man] or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This [is] also vanity. 19. who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man ] We note in this … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:19”

Yea, I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 18. because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me ] The history of the great ones of the earth presents not a few parallel … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:18”

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun [is] grievous unto me: for all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit. 17. Therefore I hated life ] Better, And I hated. Of such a temper, the extremest form of pessimism, suicide would seem the natural and logical outcome. In practice, however, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:17”

For [there is] no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool forever; seeing that which now [is] in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise [man]? as the fool. 16. there is no remembrance of the wise ] More accurately, For the wise man as for the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:16”

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, [so] it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also [is] vanity. 15. why was I then more wise? ] Better, Why have I been wise now overmuch? The very wisdom … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:15”