There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it [is] common among men: Ver. 1. _There is an evil that I have seen under the sun._] This wretched life is so pestered with evils that the Preacher could hardly cast his eye beside one or other of them. A diligent observer he was of human miser... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease._ Ver. 2. _So that he wanteth nothing._] Nothing but everyt... [ Continue Reading ]
If a man beget an hundred [children], and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also [that] he have no burial; I say, [that] an untimely birth [is] better than he. Ver. 3. _If a man beget an hundred children._] As Ahab did half a hundred,... [ Continue Reading ]
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Ver. 4. _For he cometh in with vanity, &c._] As nothing, being senseless of good or evil. "And departeth in darkness," and is buried in hugger mugger. And his "name shall be covered," &c., that is,... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known [any thing]: this hath more rest than the other. Ver. 5. _Moreover he hath not seen the sun._] A second privilege and prerogative of the poor abortive. None are so miserable, we see, but they may be comparatively happy. It is ever best to look at those b... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice [told], yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? Ver. 6. _Yea, though he live a thousand years._] Which yet never any man did; Methuselah wanted thirty-two of a thousand. - The reason thereof is given by Oecolampadius; " _Quia numerus iste typ... [ Continue Reading ]
All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. Ver. 7. _All the labour of man is for his mouth._] That is, For food and raiment, _as _ 1Ti 6:8 a little whereof will content nature, which hath therefore given us a little mouth and stomach, _a_ to teach us moderation, a... [ Continue Reading ]
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? Ver. 8. _For what hath the wise more than the fool?_] Nothing at all in this vanity of human nature, that it needeth still new supply of nourishment to preserve it. When a wise man hath eaten, is... [ Continue Reading ]
Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. Ver. 9. _Better is the sight of the eyes, &c., _] _i.e., _ As some sense it, Better it is to overlook dainty dishes than to overcharge the stomach with them; to fill the eyes than the b... [ Continue Reading ]
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it [is] man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. Ver. 10. _That which hath been is named already._] Or thus, That which is the name of it, hath been named already, _viz., _ Ecc 1:2-3 and it is known that it is Adam, o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what [is] man the better?_ Ver. 11. _Seeing there be many things that increase._] Seeing it is in vain to wrestle or wrangle with God, to seek to ward off his blow, to moat up one's self against his fire. Why should vain man contend with his Maker?... [ Continue Reading ]
For who knoweth what [is] good for man in [this] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? Ver. 12. _For who knoweth what is good for man._] He may think this and that to be good, but is, mostly, mistaken and dis... [ Continue Reading ]