Bible Commentaries

God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with Art) = the [true] God, or the Deity. App-4. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13.

hear = obey.

fools = fat, inert. Hebrew kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

thing = word.

upon earth. Same idea as "under the sun". See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3.

vowest a vow = makest a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

pleasure. See note on "purpose", Ecclesiastes 3:1, and App-76.

Better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24.

to cause, &c. : by vows made concerning the flesh, such as eating and drinking, marrying, &c.

angel = messenger. Compare Malachi 2:7.

error. Hebrew. shagag. App-44.

wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

voice. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the vain words uttered by it; referring to Ecclesiastes 5:1.

destroy = confiscate.

work. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulg, read "works" (plural)

divers vanities. Plural of emphasis = great vanity: i.e. in many dreams and many words, also [there is] great vanity: referring to Ecclesiastes 5:3 above.

poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14.

province. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:8, and App-76.

matter. Hebrew purpose or desire, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the effect of it. Hebrew. hephez, one of the words supposed to be later Hebrew. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1, and App-76.

He That is higher, &c. = the high One above the high one regardeth, even the Most High is over them.

is = "it [is]. "

for all = [consists] in the whole, i.e. not confined to one day.

nor he that loveth, &c. = And who is [ever] content with abundance without increase (capital without interest). No socialism or "corruption" of text here.

good = advantage.

owners. Plural of emphasis.

their = his.

to sleep = to sleep soundly.

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3.

travail = fatigue from toil. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23, and Ecclesiastes 4:4.

As = According as. Compare Job 1:21. Psalms 49:17, Psalms 49:1.

profit = advantage.

laboured = toiled.

wind Hebrew. ruach.

comely = well.

man. Hebrew. "adam. App-14. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13.

the gift = a gift.

answereth = causeth [things] to respond, as in Hosea 2:21, Hosea 2:22. See note on Ecclesiastes 10:19.