Ecclesiastes 1:3--11:6
benefit <03504> [profit.]
earth <08121> [under.]
generation ..... generation <01755> [One generation.]
earth <0776> [but.]
sun ..... sun <08121> [sun.]
hurries away <07602> [hasteth. Heb. panteth.]
wind <07307> [The wind.]
This verse should be connected with the preceding, and rendered, "The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose; going toward the south, and turning about unto the north. The wind whirleth about continually," etc. Alluding, in the former part, to the apparent daily motion of the sun from east to west, and to his annual course through the signs of the zodiac.
streams flow ................. streams flow ..... flow <01980 05158> [the rivers run.]
again <03212 07725> [return again. Heb. return to go.]
tiresome <03023> [full.]
one <0376> [man.]
<05869> [the eye.]
done ...... done <06213> [that hath.]
new <02319> [and there.]
already <03528> [it hath.]
remembers .................... remembered <02146> [There is.]
decided .................. given <05414> [I gave.]
burdensome <07451> [this sore.]
occupied <06031> [to be exercised. or, to afflict them.]
bent <05791> [crooked.]
what is missing <02642> [wanting. Heb. defect.]
thought <01696> [communed.]
much <01431> [Lo.]
acquired much <07200 07235> [great experience of. Heb. seen much.]
decided <05414> [I gave.]
discern ....... knowledge ......... concluded <03045> [I perceived.]
great <07230> [For in.]
<0559> [said.]
<03212> [Go to.]
self-indulgent <05254> [I will.]
said <0559> [I said.]
Solomon is not speaking here of sober enjoyment of the things of the world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth, are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia, as two persons, whom he treats with the utmost contempt.
folly <01984> [It is.]
thought <08446> [sought.]
indulging .... wine ..... my <01320 03196 04900> [give myself unto wine. Heb. draw my flesh with wine. yet.]
behaving <0270> [and to lay.]
discover <07200> [till.]
few <04557> [all. Heb. the number of.]
increased <01431> [made.]
built <01129> [I builded.]
planted <05193> [I planted.]
gardens <01593> [me.]
planted <05193> [I planted.]
pools <01295> [pools.]
irrigate <08248> [to water.]
slaves ........ born <05650 01121> [servants.]
born <01121> [and had.]
slaves ........ born .... house <01004 05650 01121> [servants born in my house. Heb. sons of my house. also.]
silver <03701> [silver.]
singers .... singers <07891> [men singers.]
harem .... concubines <07705> [musical instruments, etc. Heb. musical instrument and instruments.]
The difficult words {shiddah weshiddoth} are variously rendered. The LXX. have [oinocoon kai oinochoas,] "male and female cup-bearers," with which the Syriac and Arabic and Parkhurst agree; Aquila, [kulikon kai kulikia,] "a cup and smaller cups;" Jerome, {scyphos et urceolos, (Vulg. {urceos,}) "goblets and pots;" Targum, "warm and cold baths;" others, as M. Desvoeux, "male and female captives;" others, "cooks and confectioners;" others, "a species of musical compositions," derived from Sido, a celebrated Phoenician woman, to whom Sanchoniatho attributes the invention of music; but others, with more probability, "wives and concubines;" and {siddoth} may be in this sense synonymous with the Arabic {seedat, domina, conjux} from {sada,} in {Conj. V. conjugium inivit.} Of the former, Solomon had three hundred, and of the latter, seven hundred; and if they are not mentioned here they are not mentioned at all, which is wholly unaccountable.
wanted <05869> [whatsoever.]
myself ........... accomplishments <08056 03820> [my heart rejoiced.]
reflected <06437> [I looked.]
ultimately profitless <01892> [behold.]
decided <06437> [I turned.]
[even that which hath already been done. or, in those things which have been already done.]
realized <07200> [I saw.]
wisdom is preferable ... folly <03426 02451 03504 05531> [that wisdom excelleth folly. Heb. that there is an excellency in wisdom more than in folly, etc. light.]
wise <02450> [wise.]
same <0259> [one.]
even <01571> [even to me. Heb. to me, even to me. and why.]
<01696> [Then I.]
remembered <02146> [there is.]
dies <04191> [how.]
loathed <08130> [I hated.]
happens <04639> [work.]
futile <01892> [for.]
loathed <08130> [I hated.]
worked <06001> [taken. Heb. laboured. I should.]
knows <03045> [who knoweth.]
wisely ... earth <02449 08121> [wise under.]
work <05999> [whose.]
hand over <05414> [leave. Heb. give.]
man acquire <0120 01933> [hath man.]
anxiety <07475> [and of the.]
day <03117> [all.]
mind <03820> [his heart.]
better <02896> [nothing.]
better .................. perceived <07200 02896 05315> [make his soul enjoy good. or, delight his senses. that it.]
eat <0398> [who can.]
pleases ............................ pleases <06440> [in his sight. Heb. before him.]
wisdom <02451> [wisdom.]
sinner <02398> [to the sinner.]
appointed time <02165> [every thing.]
earth <08064> [under.]
time .... born .... time ..... time ...... time <03205 06256> [time to be born. Heb. time to bear.]
time ....... time ..... time ...... time <06256> [and a time.]
time ....... time ..... time ... plant .... time ...... planted <06256 05193> [a time to plant.]
time ... kill .... time ..... time ....... time <02026 06256> [time to kill.]
time ...... time ... heal ... time ....... time <06256 07495> [a time to heal.]
time ...... time ..... time ... break down .... time <06256 06555> [a time to break.]
time ... weep .... time ..... time ...... time <01058 06256> [time to weep.]
time ...... time ... laugh ... time ...... time <06256 07832> [a time to laugh.]
dance <07540> [to dance.]
throw <07993> [to cast.]
time ........ time ...... time ... embrace .... time ..... embracing <06256 02263> [a time to embrace.]
[refrain from. Heb. be far from.]
time ... search .... time ......... time ...... time <01245 06256> [time to get. or, time to seek.]
[an a time to lose.]
time ...... time ......... time ...... time ... throw away <06256 07993> [and a time to cast.]
time ... rip .... time ..... time ....... time <07167 06256> [time to rend.]
time ...... time ..... time ... keep silent .... time <06256 02814> [time to keep.]
time ...... time ..... time ....... time ... speak <06256 01696> [and a time to speak.]
time ... love .... time ..... time ...... time <0157 06256> [time to love.]
time ...... time ... hate ... time ...... time <06256 08130> [a time to hate.]
time ...... time ..... time ... war .... time <06256 04421> [a time of war.]
made ........................... ordained <06213> [hath made.]
placed <05414> [also.]
so that <01097> [so.]
happy <08055> [but.]
God .................. God <0430> [whatsoever.]
nothing ........ nothing <0369> [nothing.]
God does ................. God ... made <06213 0430> [God doeth it.]
already ........ already <03528> [which hath.]
past <07291> [past. Heb. driven away.]
thought <0559> [said.]
God <0430> [God.]
time .... activity ........... deed <06256 02656 04639> [for.]
sake <01700> [concerning.]
God <0430> [that God, etc. or, that they might clear God, and see, etc.]
show <07200> [and that.]
fate ...... fate <04745> [that which.]
dies ... dies <04194> [as the.]
fate ...... fate .............................. fleeting <04745 01892> [for.]
go <01980> [go.]
dust .... dust <06083> [all are.]
knows <03045> [knoweth.]
human ... ascends <01121 05927 03381> [of man that goeth upwards. Heb. of the sons of man that is ascending.]
better <02896> [nothing.]
show <0935> [who.]
again <07725> [I returned.]
considered <07200> [and considered.]
tears <01832> [the tears.]
comforting ..... delivers <05162> [they had.]
<03027> [side. Heb. hand.]
better <02896> [better.]
seen <07200> [who.]
skillful <03788> [every, etc. Heb. all the rightness of work, that this is the envy of man from his neighbour.]
[This is.]
fool <03684> [fool.]
eat <0398> [eateth.]
That is, with envy, (see ver. 4,) though too idle to follow his neighbour's example.
man ..... alone <0259> [one.]
children <01121> [he hath.]
end <07093> [no.]
he <05869> [is his.]
toiling <06001> [For.]
burdensome <07451> [it is.]
better ......... benefit <02896> [are.]
better ......... benefit <02896> [a good.]
fall ............. falls down <05307> [if.]
pity <0337> [but.]
one <0259> [And if.]
This is well illustrated by the fable of the dying father, who, to shew his sons the advantages of union, gave them a bundle of twigs, which could not be broken when bound together, but were easily snapped asunder one by one.
three-stranded <08027> [and a.]
poor <04542> [is a poor.]
knows .... receive <03045 02094> [will no more be. Heb. knoweth not to be.]
<0631> [For out.]
This is probably an allusion to some fact with which we are unacquainted. History furnishes many instances of mean persons raised to sovereign authority, and of kings being reduced to the meanest offices, and to a morsel. Agrippa mounted the throne of Israel after having been long in prison; and similar instances are not wanting in modern times.
born <03205> [also.]
successor <03206> [child.]
end <07093> [no end.]
<0314> [they also.]
profitless <01892> [this.]
<07272> [thy foot.]
near <07138> [ready.]
offer <05414> [give.]
rash <0926> [not rash.]
matter ................. words <01697> [thing. or, word. for.]
matter ................. words <01697> [let thy .]
fool <03684> [a fool's.]
make ...................... vow <05087> [vowest.]
pleasure <02656> [for.]
paying it ......... Pay <07999> [pay.]
mouth <06310> [thy mouth.]
<06440> [before.]
Or, "before the messenger," {hammalach,} the priest whose business it was to take cognizance of vows and offerings.
mistake <07684> [it was.]
destroy <02254> [destroy.]
many <07230> [in the.]
fear <03372> [but.]
see <07200> [thou seest.]
astonished <08539> [marvel.]
matter <02656> [matter. Heb. will, or purpose.]
high ....... higher ...... higher <01364> [for.]
watched <08104> [regardeth.]
by ...... high ..... by ... higher ...... higher ... over <05921 01364> [higher than they.]
produce <03504> [the profit.]
king <04428> [the king.]
loves ........... loves <0157> [He that.]
The more he gets, the more he would get; for {Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit,} "The love of money increases, in proportion as money itself increases."
futile <01892> [this.]
<07231> [they.]
gain <03788> [what.]
misfortune <02470> [a sore.]
Wealth <06239> [riches.]
wealth <06239> [those.]
fathered <03205> [and he.]
<02470> [a sore.]
toiling <03504> [what.]
wind <07307> [for.]
ate <0398> [he eateth.]
greatly <07235> [much.]
beneficial ... appropriate ............. enjoyment <02896 03303> [it is good and comely. Heb. there is a good which is comely, etc.]
days <03117> [the days. Heb. the number of the days. it is his.]
God ................................... God <0430> [to whom.]
these ..... gift <02090 04991> [this is.]
much .... fleeting <07235 02142> [For he shall not much remember. or, Though he give not much, yet he rembemereth, etc.]
God <0430> [because.]
man ............................. someone <0376> [a man.]
lacks <02638> [so.]
God ................... God <0430> [yet.]
A man may possess much earthly goods, and yet have neither the heart nor power to enjoy them. Possession and fruition are not necessarily joined together; and this is also among the vanities of life, and was and still is a very "common evil among men." It belongs to God as much to give the power to enjoy, as it does to give earthly blessings.
man ............................. someone <0376> [but.]
fruitless <01892> [vanity.]
man <0376> [a man.]
time <03117> [so.]
live forever <06900> [and also.]
stillborn child <05309> [that an.]
name <08034> [his name.]
<02088> [this.]
if <0432> [though.]
enjoy <07200> [yet.]
die <01980> [do.]
labor <05999> [the labour.]
appetite <05315> [appetite. Heb. soul.]
wise <02450> [what hath the wise.]
pauper <06041> [the poor.]
better <02896> [Better.]
one's heart .... crave <05315 01980> [wandering of the desire. Heb. walking of the soul.]
futile <01892> [this.]
foreordained <07121> [which.]
foreknown <03045> [and it.]
useless <03201> [neither.]
knows <03045> [who knoweth.]
life ..... days .... fleeting life <03117 01892 02416> [the days of his vain life. Heb. the number of the days of the life of his vanity.]
tell <05046> [for who can.]
reputation <08034> [name.]
good .... better <02896> [precious.]
day ......... day <03117> [the day.]
better <02896> [better.]
destiny <05490> [that.]
living <02416> [living.]
Sorrow <03708> [Sorrow. or, Anger. is better.]
sober reflection <07455> [by.]
heart ............. heart <03820> [heart.]
heart ............. heart <03820> [the heart.]
better <02896> [better.]
song <07892> [the song.]
crackling <06963> [as.]
crackling <06963> [crackling. Heb. sound. the laughter.]
oppression <06233> [oppression.]
bribe <04979> [a gift.]
better ........ better <02896> [Better.]
patience <0750> [the patient.]
quickly <0926> [hasty.]
anger <03708> [anger.]
old <07223> [What.]
wise <02451> [wisely. Heb. out of wisdom.]
inheritance .... good <05159 02896> [good with an inheritance. or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too.]
see <07200> [them.]
wisdom ................ Wisdom <02451> [wisdom.]
protection ...... protection <06738> [a defence. Heb. a shadow.]
advantage <03504> [the excellency.]
Consider <07200> [Consider.]
can <03201> [who.]
times ........ times <03117> [the day.]
times ........ times <03117> [but.]
made <06213> [set. Heb. made.]
seen <07200> [have I.]
Sometimes ... righteous person .......... sometimes <03426 06662> [there is a just.]
wicked person <07563> [there is a wicked.]
righteous <06662> [Be not.]
This verse is probably the language of an ungodly man; to which Solomon answers, as in the following verse, "Do not multiply wickedness; do not add direct opposition to godliness, to the rest of your crimes. Why should you provoke God to destroy you before your time?"
excessively <03148> [neither.]
disappointed <08074> [destroy thyself. Heb. be desolate.]
excessively <07235> [not.]
die <04191> [why.]
time <06256> [before thy time. Heb. not in thy time.]
best <02896> [good.]
fears <03373> [for.]
righteous <06662> [there.]
continually does <06213> [doeth.]
pay attention <03820 05414> [take no heed. Heb. give not thine heart.]
<01697> [unto.]
heart <03820> [also.]
said <0559> [I said.]
tried <05437 03820> [I applied mine heart. Heb. I and my heart compassed.]
scheme of things <02808> [the reason.]
understand <03045> [know.]
discovered <04672> [I find.]
pleases God <02896 0430> [whoso pleaseth God. Heb. he that is good before God.]
says <0559> [saith.]
discovered ...... discover ... scheme .... item <0259 04672 02808> [counting one by one, to find out the account. or, weighing one thing after another, to find out the reason.]
I <05315> [yet.]
one <0259> [one.]
found I have found only one upright ........ have ... found one upright woman among <04672 0802> [but.]
Solomon, instead of seeking one rational, virtuous woman, had collected an immense multitude, of various countries and religions, for magnificence and indulgence; among whom, as might have been expected, he had not found one who was thoroughly faithful, upright, and pious. He here uses the language of a penitent, warning others of the errors into which he had been led; and not that of a wasphish satirist, lashing indiscriminately one half of the human species.
God <0430> [God.]
sought <01245> [they.]
The descendants of Adam have sought out an immense number of inventions, in order to find happiness in the world, without God, which have only proved so many variations of impiety and iniquity.
wise person <02450> [as the]
knows <03045> [who knoweth.]
person's <0120> [a man's.]
harsh <05797> [and the.]
harsh <05797> [boldness. Heb. strength.]
Obey <08104> [I counsel.]
because <01700> [in regard.]
rush <0926> [not hasty.]
delay <05975> [stand.]
can do <06213> [for.]
<01697> [the word.]
doing <06213> [What.]
obeys <08104> [keepeth.]
experience ....... knows <03045> [feel. Heb. know. a wise.]
matter <02656> [to every.]
oppression <07451> [therefore.]
knows <03045> [he knoweth.]
[when. or, how.]
one ........................... discharged <0120 04917> [is no.]
power ............ power <07989 07983> [power.]
discharged <04917> [discharge. or, casting off weapons.]
power ................... wickedness <07983 07562> [neither.]
seen <07200> [this.]
Sometimes <06256> [there is.]
temple <04725> [the place.]
boasted <07911> [they were.]
sentence <06599> [sentence.]
encouraged <04390> [fully.]
sinner <02398> [a sinner.]
know <03045> [surely.]
God-fearing ....... fear before <06440 03372> [fear before.]
well <02896> [it shall.]
prolong <0748> [neither.]
shadow <06738> [as a.]
enigma ................................... enigma <01892> [a vanity.]
righteous ................... righteous <06662> [there be just.]
recommend <07623> [Then I.]
Some consider this as the cavil of an infidel objector, equivalent to the Epicurean maxim, {Ede, bibe, lude; post mortem nulla voluptas,} "Eat, drink, and play; there is no pleasure after death." But it may be regarded as a recommendation of a moderate use of worldly things, with a cheerful and contented mind; which may justly be considered as the greatest advantage which can be made of all below the sun: and amidst all changes, such a frame of mind, if the result of right principles, may and ought to be preserved; and it will be the recompence and solace of all our labours and toils.
tried <05414> [When I.]
Solomon here records the result of his perplexing inquiries into the affairs of men, and the purposes, providence, and works of God. And when he examined with great attention and diligence into the works of God, he found he could neither comprehend nor explain them; and was persuaded, that no application or capacity would enable a man to fathom the depth of the Divine dispensations in this lower world. How vain, then, are all cavils against Divine providence; when we can neither understand, nor comprehend it!
day <03117> [there is that.]
one .......... human <0120> [that a man.]
reflected .... this <03820 05414> [considered in my heart. Heb. gave, or set to my heart.]
righteous <06662> [that the.]
one <0120> [no man.]
same <0259> [alike.]
good ....................... good <02896> [as is.]
<03373> [feareth.]
hearts <03820> [also.]
folly <01947> [and madness.]
<0310> [after.]
living <02416> [the living.]
die .... dead <04191> [the dead.]
living ...................... memory <02416 02143> [for the.]
loved <0160> [their love.]
part <02506> [have they.]
<03212> [Go.]
eat <0398> [eat.]
God <0430> [for.]
clothes <0899> [thy garments.]
head <07218> [let thy head.]
Enjoy life ............. life .................... life <02416 07200> [Live joyfully. Heb. See, or Enjoy life. with the wife.]
life ......... days ..... life ............. days ........ life <03117 02416> [all the days of the life.]
reward <02506> [for.]
hands <03027> [thy hand.]
work <04639> [for.]
Again <07725> [returned.]
race <04793> [that the race.]
time <06256> [but.]
one ............................ people <0120> [man.]
fish <01709> [as the fishes.]
people <01121> [the sons.]
small <06996> [There was.]
one <0120> [yet.]
wisdom .......... wisdom <02451> [Wisdom.]
poor man's <04542> [the poor.]
better .............. good <02896> [better.]
sinner <02398> [sinner.]
dead fly <04194 02070> [Dead flies. Heb. Flies of death. the ointment]
little <04592> [a little.]
wise <02450> [wise.]
fool's <03684> [but.]
sense <03820> [wisdom. Heb. heart. and he.]
resign ......... can undo <03240> [leave.]
calm <04832> [for.]
misfortune <07451> [an evil.]
error <07684> [as an.]
makes <06440> [from. Heb. from before.]
Fools <05529> [Folly.]
authority <04791> [dignity. Heb. heights. the rich.]
digs <02658> [that.]
snake <05175> [a serpent.]
wisdom <02451> [wisdom.]
snake <05175> [the serpent.]
snake charmer <03956> [a babbler. Heb. the master of the tongue.]
words <01697> [words.]
favor <02580> [gracious. Heb. grace. but.]
beginning <08462> [beginning.]
talk <06310> [talk. Heb. mouth.]
fool <05530> [fool.]
babbling <01697 07235> [is full of words. Heb. multiplieth words.]
one <0120> [a man.]
toil <05999> [labour.]
know <03045> [because.]
king <04428> [when.]
princes <08269> [and.]
morning <01242> [in the.]
king <04428> [when.]
princes <08269> [and thy.]
Feasts <03899> [feast.]
wine <03196> [and wine.]
makes <08055> [maketh merry. Heb. maketh glad the life. but.]
Money which would have answered every good purpose, and served for every emergency, is too often spent in feastings and revellings.
curse ........... curse <07043> [Curse.]
thoughts <04093> [thought. or, conscience.]
bedroom <02315> [in thy bedchamber.]
Send <07971> [Cast.]
That is, says Bp. Lowth, "Sow thy seed or corn on the face of the waters;" in plain terms, sow without any hope of a harvest: do good even to them on whom your benefactions seem thrown away. Dr. Jebb has well illustrated it by the following passages: "Vain are the favours done to vicious men; Not vainer 'tis to sow the foaming deep. The deep no pleasant harvest shall afford, Nor will the wicked ever make return." "To befriend the wicked is like sowing in the sea." These, indeed, invert this precept; nor is it extraordinary that they should; "The one, frail human power alone produced, The other, God."
grain <03899> [thy bread.]
overseas <04325> [waters. Heb. face of the waters.]
return <04672> [for.]
investments <02506> [a portion.]
seven <07651> [seven.]
know <03045> [for.]
clouds <05645> [the clouds.]
tree ........... tree <06086> [if the tree.]
know ... path ..................... know <03045 01870> [thou knowest not what.]
bones <06106> [nor.]
know ....................... know <03045> [even.]
Sow <02232> [sow.]
know <03045> [thou knowest.]
succeed <03787> [prosper. Heb. be right.]
