The Preacher now begins to address his hearer in the second person. The soliloquy, hitherto unbroken, is henceforth interrupted by personal addresses, which are repeated with increasing frequency from this place to the end of the book. They who divide the whole book into two parts (the first theoret... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP THY FOOT - i. e., Give thy mind to what thou art going to do. THE HOUSE OF GOD - It has been said that here an ordinary devout Hebrew writer might have been expected to call it “the house of Yahweh;” but to those who accept this book as the work of Solomon after his fall into idolatry, it will... [ Continue Reading ]
SUFFER NOT THY MOUTH ... - i. e., Do not make rash vows which may hereafter be the cause of evasion and prevarication, and remain unfulfilled. BEFORE THE ANGEL - The Septuagint and some other versions render “before the face of God,” meaning a spiritual being representing the presence of God, a min... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ... VANITIES - Or, For so it happens through many dreams and vanities and many words.... [ Continue Reading ]
MATTER - Rather, purpose (as in the margin, and Ecclesiastes 3:1), referring either to the will of God or to the edict of an oppressive ruler. FOR HE ... THEY - literally, for high watches over high and the highest over them, i. e., the king in the capital watches over the judge or governor in the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING HIMSELF IS SERVED BY THE FIELD - Rather, the king is subject to the field, i. e., is dependent on its cultivation. The higher ranks, if they oppress the lower, lose thereby their own means of subsistence.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ... THAT EAT THEM - i. e., The laborers employed, and the household servants.... [ Continue Reading ]
LABOURING MAN - Not a slave (Septuagint), but everyone who, according to the divine direction, earns his bread in the sweat of his brow.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVIL TRAVAIL - Adverse accident, or unsuccessful employment (compare Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 4:8).... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH MUCH SORROW ... - Rather, is very sad and hath pain and vexation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rather, Behold what I have seen to be good, it is pleasant for a man to eat. Such thankful enjoyment is inculcated by the Law Deuteronomy 12:7, Deuteronomy 12:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
The days will pass smoothly and pleasantly, while he lives in the consciousness of God’s favor. ANSWERETH HIM - i. e., grants his prayers.... [ Continue Reading ]