THE WORDS. Rashi says that, when this expression occurs at the beginning of. book, it shows that the book is meant for _reproof,_ and he gives evidence from Deuteronomy 1:1 (Compare Ecc 32:15). Amos 1:1 (Compare Ecclesiastes 4:1). Jeremiah 1:1 (Compare Ecc 30:6). David, 2 Samuel 23:1 (Compare Eccles... [ Continue Reading ]
VANITY OF VANITIES. Figure of speech _Polyptoton._ Note also the Figure of speech _Epanadiplosis_ (App-6), by which Ecclesiastes 1:2 begins and ends with the same word. These Figures are used for the greatest emphasis, and denote utter vanity. ALL. the whole, or "the sum total". Not everything in t... [ Continue Reading ]
MAN. Hebrew. _'adam_. the natural man. App-14. LABOUR. toil. UNDER THE SUN. This expression is peculiar to this book, and occurs twenty-nine times: (Ecclesiastes 1:3; Ecclesiastes 1:9; Ecclesiastes 1:14; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 2:18; Ecclesiastes 2:19;... [ Continue Reading ]
ABIDETH. standeth still, as in first occurrence (Genesis 18:8; Genesis 18:22; Genesis 19:27; Joshua 18:5.Psalms 119:90; Psalms 119:90). FOR EVER. Hebrew. _olam_. for ages; _'olam_ occurs in Ecc. seven times: Ecclesiastes 1:4; Ecclesiastes 1:10;... [ Continue Reading ]
The Hebrew pauses in this verse are remarkable, and need. semicolon between each clause.... [ Continue Reading ]
WIND. Hebrew. _ruach._ App-9. The first part of Ecclesiastes 1:6 continues the motion of the sun, going to the south (in winter) and turning about to the north (in summer). IT WHIRLETH: i.e. the wind whirleth. This is the subject of Ecclesiastes 1:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY RETURN AGAIN. This is the point of the illustration. Compare Job 36:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
LABOUR. weariness. MAN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14. THE EYE. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and the eye".... [ Continue Reading ]
REMEMBRANCE. memorial. OF FORMER THINGS. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6) with the word "men", to complete the argument from verses: Ecclesiastes 1:2 -. The Chaldee for the former [men] version supplies the word "generation". AFTER. "after [them]", or at the last.... [ Continue Reading ]
I. Solomon knew that the kingdom was to be rent (1 Kings 11:11; 1 Kings 11:12) and the People scattered; therefore he sought to kill Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:39). The Chaldee Targum says, on Ecclesiastes 1:1, "These are the words of the _prophecy_ which Koheleth delivered when Solomon foresaw, by the _S... [ Continue Reading ]
WISDOM. Hebrew. _chokmah._ See note on Proverbs 1:2. UNDER HEAVEN. under the heavens. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "under the sun". GOD. Hebrew. _Elohim._ App-4. The title "Jehovah" is not used in Ecclesiastes, as this book refers to man in rela... [ Continue Reading ]
VANITY. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2. VEXATION OF SPIRIT. feeding on wind. The expression occurs nine times (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Ecclesiastes 1:17; Ecclesiastes 2:11; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ecclesiastes 4:4; Ecclesia [ Continue Reading ]
MY HEART. I myself. HAD. saw.... [ Continue Reading ]
MADNESS. the opposite of wisdom, as displayed in the loss of self-control; raving with self-conceit. So elsewhere in this book. FOLLY. infatuation. Hebrew. _sakal._ See note on- "wisdom", Proverbs 1:2. VEXATION, &C. Not the same phrase in Hebrew as in Ecclesiastes 1:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
GRIEF. mortification. SORROW. smarting.... [ Continue Reading ]