Although in some degree baffled in his own pursuit of wisdom, Solomon yet regards wisdom as the nearest approach to “that good for man” which he is seeking; and presses here, as a part of that wisdom, a spirit of obedience Ecclesiastes 8:1. In the face of the incomprehensible course of external even... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHO - Rather, and as he who knoweth. The possessor of wisdom excels other people: it imparts serenity to his countenance, and removes the expression of gloom or fierceness (see the marginal reference).... [ Continue Reading ]
OATH - A reference to the oath of allegiance taken to Solomon at his accession to the throne (the margin of 1 Chronicles 29:24).... [ Continue Reading ]
STAND NOT ... - i. e., “Do not persist in rebellion.”... [ Continue Reading ]
FEEL - literally, know. The meaning is, “He who obeys the commandment (i. e., the word of the king, Ecclesiastes 8:4), will not be an accomplice in any act of rebellion; and if he be a wise man he discerns (literally knows) that the king’s commandment or action is liable to correction, if it be wron... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE, THEREFORE - , Or, as in Ecclesiastes 8:7, “for.” The possibility of God’s time and judgment being in opposition to a king’s purpose or commandment Ecclesiastes 8:5, suggests the thought that such discord is a misery (evil, Ecclesiastes 6:1) common to man (or, mankind).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN - Or, as in the margin. For the meaning of this verse, compare marginal references.... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER HATH HE POWER - Rather: “and there is no power.” Compare Ecclesiastes 3:19. NO DISCHARGE ... - i. e., “No exemption from the final hour of struggle between life and death.” WICKEDNESS - Though the life of the wicked may be prolonged Ecclesiastes 7:15, yet wickedness itself has no inherent... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HIS OWN HURT - Or, “to the hurt of the subject.” The case is still that of an unwise king whose command is obeyed Ecclesiastes 8:2 even to the hurt of the wise man who obeys him.... [ Continue Reading ]
i. e., “I saw wicked (rulers) buried, who came into the world and went from the Holy place (the seat of authority and justice, Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Chronicles 19:6), and they were forgotten in the city where they had so ruled to the hurt of their subjects: this - their death and oblivion - shews the... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS DAYS BE PROLONGED - i. e., in his wickedness Ecclesiastes 8:8. “I” is emphatic, as if to mark the opposition to the “sons of men” Ecclesiastes 8:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS DONE UPON THE EARTH - The instance of vanity, to which these words are applied, is the seeming inequality of God’s justice; but if they are considered in connection with the profession of personal faith in God’s absolute justice Ecclesiastes 8:12, the conclusion is irresistible, that, whate... [ Continue Reading ]
MIRTH - Better, Gladness, or “joy” (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writer’s personal experience (compare marginal refere... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses supplement Ecclesiastes 8:15 with the reflection that the man who goes beyond that limited sphere within which he can labor and be contented, and investigates the whole work of God, will find that his finite intelligence cannot grasp it. Ecclesiastes 8:16 BUSINESS - Or, “travail” Eccl... [ Continue Reading ]