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Text -- Ecclesiastes 5:7-20 (NET)
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Strongs On/Off
Context
5:7 Just as there is futility in many dreams , so also in many words. Therefore, fear God !
Government Corruption
5:8 If you see the extortion of the poor , or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government , do not be astonished by the matter . For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!
5:9 The produce of the land is seized by all of them , even the king is served by the fields .
Covetousness
5:10 The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money , he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income . This also is futile .
5:11 When someone’s prosperity increases , those who consume it also increase ; so what does its owner gain , except that he gets to see it with his eyes ?
5:12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant – whether he eats little or much – but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep .
Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life
5:13 Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen : Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery .
5:14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck ; although he fathered a son , he has nothing left to give him.
5:15 Just as he came forth from his mother's womb , naked will he return as he came , and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil .
5:16 This is another misfortune : Just as he came , so will he go . What did he gain from toiling for the wind ?
5:17 Surely , he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger .
Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor
5:18 I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink , and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward .
5:19 To every man whom God has given wealth , and possessions , he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil ; these things are the gift of God .
5:20 For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
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Dictionary Themes and Topics:
Instruction |
Philosophy |
Life |
Riches |
Rich, The |
Greed |
Oppression |
Gifts from God |
Poor |
Speaking |
Injustice |
God |
Rulers |
Fear of God |
Vanity |
Justice |
Dream |
Sin |
Land |
Labor |
more
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expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Ecc 5:7; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:8; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:9; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:10; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:11; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:13; Ecc 5:14; Ecc 5:14; Ecc 5:16; Ecc 5:17; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:18; Ecc 5:19; Ecc 5:19; Ecc 5:20; Ecc 5:20; Ecc 5:20; Ecc 5:20
NET Notes: Ecc 5:7 The syntax of this verse is difficult. Perhaps the best approach is to classify the vav on וַהֲבָלִ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:8 And there are higher ones over them! This may describe a corrupt system of government in which each level of hierarchy exploits its subordinates, all ...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:9 The syntax and exegesis of the line is difficult. There are three basic interpretive options: (1) the king takes care of the security of the cultivate...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:10 The word “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:11 The rhetorical question is an example of negative affirmation, expecting a negative answer: “There is no ultimate advantage!” (see E. W. B...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:17 Heb “all his days.” The phrase “of his life” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarit...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:18 The term חֵלֶק (kheleq, “lot”) has a wide range of meanings: (1) “share of spoils” (Gen 14:24; N...
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NET Notes: Ecc 5:19 Heb “this.” The feminine singular demonstrative pronoun זֹה (zoh, “this”) refers back to all that preceded i...
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