Bible Commentary

I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards: 4. I made me great works ] The verse may be either a retrospect of the details of the life of the pleasure-seeker as sketched in the previous verse, or, as seems more probable, the account of a new experiment in which … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:4”

I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 3. to give myself unto wine ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:3”

I said of laughter, [It is] mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 2. I said of laughter, It is mad ] The choice of a word cognate with the madness of chap. Ecc 1:17, gives a special emphasis to the judgment which the man thus passes on himself. There was as much insanity in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:2”

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity. 1. I will prove thee with mirth ] The self-communing of the man talking to his soul, like the rich man in Luk 12:18-19, in search of happiness, leads him to yet … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 2:1”

For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. 18. in much wisdom is much grief ] The same sad sentence was written on the study of man’s nature in its greatness and its littleness, its sanity and insanity. The words have passed into a proverb, and were, perhaps, proverbial … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:18”

And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also [is] vexation of spirit. 17. And I gave my heart ] The apparent iteration of the phrase of Ecc 1:13 expresses the concentration of purpose. The writer adds that his search took a yet wider range. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:17”

I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all [they] that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 16. Lo, I am come to great estate ] The pronoun is used emphatically. The verb … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:16”

[That which is] crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 15. That which is crooked ] The words are apparently a proverbial saying quoted as already current. The complaint is that the search after wisdom brings the seeker face to face with anomalies and defects, which yet he cannot … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:15”

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all [is] vanity and vexation of spirit. 14. all is vanity and vexation of spirit ] The familiar words, though they fall in with the Debater’s tone and have the support of the Vulg. “ afflictio spiritus,” hardly express the meaning … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:14”

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all [things] that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. 13. I gave my heart ] The phrase, so expressive of the spirit of an earnest seeker, is eminently characteristic … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ecclesiastes 1:13”