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Text -- Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NET)

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Context
3:11 God has made everything fit beautifully in its appropriate time, but he has also placed ignorance in the human heart so that people cannot discover what God has ordained, from the beginning to the end of their lives.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: WORLD, COSMOLOGICAL | WORLD (GENERAL) | Power | Philosophy | PROVIDENCE, 1 | PERSON, PERSONALITY | Life | Instruction | Ignorance | HEAD | God | END | BEAUTY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Keil-Delitzsch , Constable

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Wesley: Ecc 3:11 - -- This seems to be added as at apology for God's providence, notwithstanding all the contrary events and confusions which are in the world. He hath made...

This seems to be added as at apology for God's providence, notwithstanding all the contrary events and confusions which are in the world. He hath made (or doth make or do, by his providence in the government of the world) every thing (which he doth either immediately, or by the ministry of men, or other creatures) beautiful (convenient, so that, all things considered, it could not have been done better) in its time or station, (when it was most fit to be done). Many events seem to mens shallow judgments, to be very irregular and unbecoming, as when wicked men prosper, and good men are oppressed; but when men shall throughly understand God's works, and the whole frame and contexture of them, and see the end of them, they will say, all things were done wisely.

Wesley: Ecc 3:11 - -- It is true, God hath put the world into mens hearts, or made them capable of observing all the dispensations of God in the world; but this is to be un...

It is true, God hath put the world into mens hearts, or made them capable of observing all the dispensations of God in the world; but this is to be understood with a limitation, because there are some more mysterious works of God, which no man can fully, understand, because he cannot search them out from the beginning to the end.

JFB: Ecc 3:11 - -- That is, in its proper season (Psa 1:3), opposed to worldlings putting earthly pursuits out of their proper time and place (see on Ecc 3:9).

That is, in its proper season (Psa 1:3), opposed to worldlings putting earthly pursuits out of their proper time and place (see on Ecc 3:9).

JFB: Ecc 3:11 - -- Given them capacities to understand the world of nature as reflecting God's wisdom in its beautiful order and times (Rom 1:19-20). "Everything" answer...

Given them capacities to understand the world of nature as reflecting God's wisdom in its beautiful order and times (Rom 1:19-20). "Everything" answers to "world," in the parallelism.

JFB: Ecc 3:11 - -- That is, but in such a manner that man only sees a portion, not the whole "from beginning to end" (Ecc 8:17; Job 26:14; Rom 11:33; Rev 15:4). PARKHURS...

That is, but in such a manner that man only sees a portion, not the whole "from beginning to end" (Ecc 8:17; Job 26:14; Rom 11:33; Rev 15:4). PARKHURST, for "world," translates: "Yet He hath put obscurity in the midst of them," literally, "a secret," so man's mental dimness of sight as to the full mystery of God's works. So HOLDEN and WEISS. This incapacity for "finding out" (comprehending) God's work is chiefly the fruit of the fall. The worldling ever since, not knowing God's time and order, labors in vain, because out of time and place.

Clarke: Ecc 3:11 - -- Beautiful in his time - God’ s works are well done; there are order, harmony, and beauty in them all. Even the caterpillar is a finished beauty...

Beautiful in his time - God’ s works are well done; there are order, harmony, and beauty in them all. Even the caterpillar is a finished beauty in all the changes through which it passes, when its structure is properly examined, and the ends kept in view in which each change is to issue. Nothing of this kind can be said of the works of man. The most finished works of art are bungling jobs, when compared with the meanest operation of nature

Clarke: Ecc 3:11 - -- He hath set the world in their heart - העולם haolam , that hidden time - the period beyond the present, - Eternity. The proper translation of ...

He hath set the world in their heart - העולם haolam , that hidden time - the period beyond the present, - Eternity. The proper translation of this clause is the following: "Also that eternity hath he placed in their heart, without which man could not find out the work which God hath made from the commencement to the end."God has deeply rooted the idea of eternity in every human heart; and every considerate man sees, that all the operations of God refer to that endless duration. See Ecc 3:14. And it is only in eternity that man will be able to discover what God has designed by the various works he has formed.

Defender: Ecc 3:11 - -- If there is anything in the world that is ugly, it must be attributed ultimately to sin; God did not make it so.

If there is anything in the world that is ugly, it must be attributed ultimately to sin; God did not make it so.

Defender: Ecc 3:11 - -- Literally, God "hath set eternity in their hearts." Even though we cannot now comprehend the total plan of God, each person has an innate awareness th...

Literally, God "hath set eternity in their hearts." Even though we cannot now comprehend the total plan of God, each person has an innate awareness that God does exist and does have a purpose in creation."

TSK: Ecc 3:11 - -- hath made : Ecc 7:29; Gen 1:31; Deu 32:4; Mar 7:37 also : Mat 13:22; Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20, Rom 1:28 so : Ecc 8:17; Job 11:7, Job 37:23; Psa 104:24; Mat ...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Ecc 3:11 - -- Rather, He hath made all (the travail, Ecc 3:10) beautiful (fit, in harmony with the whole work of God) in its time; also He hath set eternity in th...

Rather, He hath made all (the travail, Ecc 3:10) beautiful (fit, in harmony with the whole work of God) in its time; also He hath set eternity in their heart (i. e., the heart of the sons of men, Ecc 3:10).

The word, translated "world"in the text, and "eternity"in this note, is used seven times in Ecclesiastes.

The interpretation "eternity,"is conceived in the sense of a long indefinite period of time, in accordance with the use of the word throughout this book, and the rest of the Old Testament. God has placed in the inborn constitution of man the capability of conceiving of eternity, the struggle to apprehend the everlasting, the longing after an eternal life.

With the other meaning "the world,"i. e., the material world, or universe, in which we dwell, the context is explained as referring either to the knowledge of the objects with which this world is filled, or to the love of the pleasures of the world. This meaning seems to be less in harmony with the context than the other: but the principal objection to it is that it assigns to the word in the original a sense which, although found in rabbinical Hebrew, it never bears in the language of the Old Testament.

So ... find - i. e., Without enabling man to find. Compare Ecc 7:13; Ecc 8:17.

Poole: Ecc 3:11 - -- He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: this seems to be added as an apology for God’ s providence, notwithstanding all the contrary eve...

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: this seems to be added as an apology for God’ s providence, notwithstanding all the contrary events and confusions which are in the world.

He (i.e. God , expressed in the last clause of the verse)

hath made (or doth make or do , by his providence in the government of the world)

every thing (which he doth either immediately, or by the ministry of men or other creatures, for God worketh in and with all his creatures in all their actions, as is agreed by divines and philosophers)

beautiful (decently and conveniently, so that, all things considered, it could not have been done better) in his time ; in the time which he had appointed, or which he saw most proper and fit for it; or, in its time or season , when it was most fit to be done. Many events seem to men’ s shallow and perverse judgments, at least for a time, to be very irregular and unbecoming, as when wicked men prosper in their impious and unrighteous enterprises, and good men are sorely oppressed and afflicted, and that for righteousness’ sake; but when men shall come thoroughly to understand God’ s works, and the whole frame and contexture of them, and to see the end of them, they will then say that all things were done most wisely and most seasonably; whereof we have eminent instances in Joseph, and David, and Mordecai, and the Jews of his time.

He hath set the world in their heart i.e. in the hearts of men, as the following words show, where man is expressed. The sense is either,

1. Although all God’ s works are beautiful, yet men do not discern the beauty of them, because the world is in their hearts; their minds are so busied and distracted with the thoughts, and cares, and love, and business of this world, that they have neither leisure nor heart seriously to study God’ s works. But this inordinate love of the present world comes from man’ s own corruption, and not from God; and therefore it seems harsh to impute it to God, and improbable that Solomon would have phrased it thus, that God hath set or put the world i.e. worldly lusts, in men’ s hearts . Or,

2. As God’ s works are beautiful in themselves, so men are capable of discerning the beauty of them, because God hath set the world in men’ s hearts; he hath exposed the world, and all his dispensations in the world, unto the view of men’ s minds; both because he hath wrought his works so evidently and publicly, that men might easily observe them; and because he hath given men reason whereby they may discover the wisdom and beauty of all God’ s works, if they diligently apply themselves to the study of them.

So that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end: so this is another reason why men do not discern the beauty of God’ s works, because they do not see the whole frame or course of them from the beginning to the end, but only some small parcels or fragments of them; the eminent works of God being oft begun in one age, and finished in another. Or, yet so that , &c. or, except that (as this phrase properly signifies, and is elsewhere used) no man can find out , &c. Thus it is an exception to the next foregoing clause, and the sense is, It is true God hath put the world into men’ s hearts, or made them capable of observing all events and dispensations of God in the world; but this is to be understood with a limitation, because there are some more mysterious works of God which no man can fully understand, because he cannot search them out through or from the beginning to the end.

Haydock: Ecc 3:11 - -- Consideration. Literally, "dispute." Hebrew and Septuagint, "heart." (Haydock) --- Pagnin, "He has implanted the desire of immortality in their h...

Consideration. Literally, "dispute." Hebrew and Septuagint, "heart." (Haydock) ---

Pagnin, "He has implanted the desire of immortality in their hearts." ---

End. If we could discover the properties of each thing, we should be in raptures; (Calmet) but as we cannot, this increases our vexation. (Menochius)

Gill: Ecc 3:11 - -- He hath made every thing beautiful in his time,.... That is, God has made everything; as all things in creation are made by him, for his pleasure and...

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time,.... That is, God has made everything; as all things in creation are made by him, for his pleasure and glory, and all well and wisely, there is a beauty in them all: so all things in providence; he upholds all things; he governs and orders all things according to the counsel of his will; some things are done immediately by him, others by instruments, and some are only permitted by him; some he does himself, some he wills to be done by others, and some he suffers to be done; but in all there is a beauty and harmony; and all are ordered, disposed, and overruled, to answer the wisest and greatest purposes; everything is done in the time in which he wills it shall; be done, and done in the time most fit and suitable for it to be done; all things before mentioned, for which there is a time, and all others: all natural things are beautiful in their season; things in summer, winter, spring, and autumn; frost and snow in winter, and heat in summer; darkness and dews in the night, and light and brightness in the day; and so in ten thousand other things: all afflictive dispensations of Providence; times of plucking up and breaking down of weeping and mourning, of losing and casting away are all necessary, and seasonable and beautiful, in their issue and consequences: prosperity and adversity, in their turns, make a beautiful checker work, and work together for good; are like Joseph's coat, of many colours, which was an emblem of those various providences which attended that good man; and were extremely beautiful, as are all the providences of God to men: and all his judgments will be, when made manifest; when he shall have performed his whole work, and the mystery of God in providence will be finished; which is like a piece of tapestry; when only viewed in parts no beauty appears in it, scarce any thing to be made of it but when all is put together, it is most beautiful and harmonious. The words may be rendered, "the beautiful One hath made all things in his time" m; the Messiah; who, as a divine Person, is the brightness of his Father's glory; as man, is fairer than the sons, of Adam; as Mediator, is full of grace and truth; is white and ruddy, altogether lovely, exceeding precious to his people: this fair and lovely One has made all things in creation; works with his Father in the affairs of providence; and has done all things well in grace and redemption, Joh 1:2;

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; not a sinful love of the world, and the things of it; not a criminal desire after them, and a carking care for them, whereby persons have no heart and inclination, time and leisure, to search into and find out the works of God; for though all this is in the heart of the sons of men, yet, not placed, there by the Lord: nor an opinion of living for ever; of a long time in this world, the word for "world" having the signification of perpetuity in it; so that they regard not, the work of the Lord, nor the operations of his hands, tomorrow being with them as this day, and much more abundant; but this sense meets with the same difficulty as the former. Rather the meaning is, that God hath set before the minds of men, and in them, the whole world of creatures, the whole book of nature, in which they may see and read much of the wisdom power, and goodness of God in his works; and to some he gives an inclination and desire hereunto; but yet the subject before them is so copious, there is such a world of matter presented to them, and their capacity so small, and life so short, that they cannot all their days find out the works of God, either of creation or providence, to perfection; or find out what God works, from the beginning of the world to the end of it; for, of what he has wrought, but a small portion is known by them, and they know less still what shall be done hereafter: some of God's works of providence are set on foot and but begun in the life of some men; they do not live to see them finished, and therefore cannot find them out; and others are so dark and obscure, that they are obliged to say, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" see Rom 1:19; and though everything is beautiful in its time, yet till they are made manifest, and all viewed together; they will not be perfectly understood, or the beauty of them seen, Rev 15:4. For God has put something "hidden", or "sealed up", in the midst of them, as it may be rendered n, so that they cannot be perfectly known.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Ecc 3:11 The phrase “of their lives” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

Geneva Bible: Ecc 3:11 He hath made every [thing] beautiful in its time: also he hath set the ( c ) world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maket...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Ecc 3:1-22 - --1 By the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail.11 There is an excellency in God's works.16 But as for man, God shall judge his w...

Maclaren: Ecc 3:11 - --Eternity In The Heart He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also He hath set the world in their heart.'--Eccles. 3:11. THERE is considerabl...

MHCC: Ecc 3:11-15 - --Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly th...

Matthew Henry: Ecc 3:11-15 - -- We have seen what changes there are in the world, and must not expect to find the world more sure to us than it has been to others. Now here Solomon...

Keil-Delitzsch: Ecc 3:10-11 - -- "I saw the travail, which God gave to the children of men to fatigue themselves with it - : He hath well arranged everything beautiful in its appoin...

Constable: Ecc 2:18--6:10 - --B. General Observations 2:18-6:9 Thus far Solomon had reflected on the futility of all human endeavor ge...

Constable: Ecc 3:1--4:4 - --2. Labor and divine providence 3:1-4:3 In this section Solomon expressed his conviction that in view of God's incomprehensible workings all human toil...

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Introduction / Outline

JFB: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) The Hebrew title is Koheleth, which the speaker in it applies to himself (Ecc 1:12), "I, Koheleth, was king over Israel." It means an Assembler or Con...

JFB: Ecclesiastes (Outline) INTRODUCTION. (Ecc. 1:1-18)

TSK: Ecclesiastes 3 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Ecc 3:1, By the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail; Ecc 3:11, There is an excellency in God’s works; Ecc 3:16,...

Poole: Ecclesiastes 3 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 3 Every thing hath its time; in which, to enjoy it, and therewith do good to others, is our good, Ecc 3:1-13 . God doth all according to hi...

MHCC: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) The name of this book signifies " The Preacher." The wisdom of God here preaches to us, speaking by Solomon, who it is evident was the author. At the...

MHCC: Ecclesiastes 3 (Chapter Introduction) (Ecc 3:1-10) The changes of human affairs. (Ecc 3:11-15) The Divine counsels unchangeable. (Ecc 3:16-22) The vanity of worldly power.

Matthew Henry: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Ecclesiastes We are still among Solomon's happy men, his happy servants, that stood contin...

Matthew Henry: Ecclesiastes 3 (Chapter Introduction) Solomon having shown the vanity of studies, pleasures, and business, and made it to appear that happiness is not to be found in the schools of the ...

Constable: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title of this book in the Hebrew text is all of verse 1. The Se...

Constable: Ecclesiastes (Outline)

Constable: Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes Bibliography Archer, Gleason L., Jr. "The Linguistic Evidence for the Date of Ecclesiastes'." Jour...

Haydock: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) ECCLESIASTES. INTRODUCTION. This Book is called Ecclesiastes, or the preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth ) because in it Solomon, as an excelle...

Gill: Ecclesiastes (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES This book has been universally received into the canon of the Scriptures, by Jews and Christians. The former, indeed, ...

Gill: Ecclesiastes 3 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 3 The general design of this chapter is to confirm what is before observed, the vanity and inconstancy of all things; ...

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