Advanced Commentary

Texts -- Ecclesiastes 7:7-10 (NET)

Context
Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity
7:7 Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool ; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart . 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning ; likewise, patience is better than pride . 7:9 Do not let yourself be quickly provoked , for anger resides in the lap of fools . 7:10 Do not say , “Why were the old days better than these days?” for it is not wise to ask that .

Pericope

NET
  • Ecc 7:7-10 -- Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity

Bible Dictionary

Arts

Questions

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • I believe that the message of Ecclesiastes is essentially a positive one. This may seem strange since the vanity of various human endeavors is such a major theme of this book. Nevertheless the total statement that Solomon mad...
  • I. The introductory affirmation 1:1-11A. Title and theme 1:1-21. The title 1:12. The theme 1:2B. The futility of all human endeavor 1:3-111. The vanity of work 1:32. The illustrations from life 1:4-11II. The futility of work ...
  • Clues in the text indicate the value and purpose of 6:10-11:6. The phrases "does not know"and "cannot discover"occur frequently (6:12; 7:14, 24, 28; 8:17; 19:1, 12; 10:14; 11:2, 6). Also the recurrence of "it is good"(7:18) a...
  • He began by exposing our ignorance of the significance of adversity and prosperity (7:1-14; cf. Job). Both of these conditions, he noted, can have good and bad effects depending on how a person responds to them. Prosperity is...
  • In 1:12-6:9, Solomon demonstrated that all work is ultimately futile for two reasons. It does not yield anything really permanent under the sun. Moreover we can never be sure we will enjoy the fruits of our labor before we di...
  • In conclusion Solomon repeated his original thesis (v. 8; cf. 1:2) and his counsel in view of life's realities (vv. 13-14). In between these statements he set forth his source of authority for writing what we have in Ecclesia...
  • 1:19 James' readers already knew what he had just reminded them of in the preceding verses (vv. 17-18; cf. Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 14:29; 15:1; 17:27-28; 29:11, 20; Eccles. 7:9). Nevertheless they needed to act in harmony with thi...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning.'--Eccles. 7:8.This Book of Ecclesiastes is the record of a quest after the chief good. The Preacher tries one thing after another, and tells his experiences. Amongst these are...
Back to Commentary Page


created in 0.04 seconds
powered by
bible.org - YLSA