Ecclesiastes 7:1--8:17
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.]
