X. (l) DEAD FLIES. — Literally, _flies of death,_ which, according to a common Hebrew idiom, “weapons of death” (Psalms 7:14); “snares of death” (Psalms 18:5) ought to mean death-giving or poisonous flies; but the existing translation yields so satisfactory a sense that we are unwilling to disturb... [ Continue Reading ]
AT HIS RIGHT HAND. — Perhaps better, _towards his right hand, i.e.,_ leads him to go to the right hand. The thought is the same as Ecclesiastes 2:13, namely, that though the actual results of wisdom are often disappointing, the superiority of wisdom over folly is undeniable.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE IS A FOOL. — In Hebrew, as in English, the antecedent of “he” may be taken differently, and so the Vulg. and other authorities understand the verse as meaning that the fool in his self-conceit attributes folly to everyone else. But it is better, as well as more obvious, to take the verse of... [ Continue Reading ]
We return now to the thought of Ecclesiastes 8:3. For “spirit” in the sense of “anger,” see Judges 8:3. RISE UP. — Psalms 78:21; 2 Samuel 11:20. YIELDING. — Literally, _healing._ (See Proverbs 15:4.) PACIFIETH GREAT OFFENCES. — Rather, probably, _quieteth great offences,_ that is to say, not so m... [ Continue Reading ]
ERROR. — The word is the same as at Ecclesiastes 10:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Considering that the importation of horses was a new thing in the reign of Solomon, we look on it as a mark of later age that a noble should think himself dishonoured by having to go on foot while his inferiors rode on horseback.... [ Continue Reading ]
Commentators cannot be said to have been very successful in their attempts to trace a connection between the proverbs of this chapter. Perhaps nothing better can be said than that the common theme of these proverbs is the advantage of wisdom, and here in particular of caution in great enterprises. I... [ Continue Reading ]
REMOVETH. — The nearest parallel is 1 Kings 5:17, where the word is used with regard to the quarryings, not the removing of stones. For the latter sense, however, there is countenance in 2 Kings 4:4, where the word is translated “set aside.” CLEAVETH WOOD. — Or, _cutteth down trees,_ an operation n... [ Continue Reading ]
The wording of this verse in the original is very obscure; and we can only say of the rendering in the text that it seems to be preferred to any which it has been proposed to substitute for it. The mention of cutting wood in the preceding verse suggests the illustration from the axe, exemplifying ho... [ Continue Reading ]
This also is a difficult verse. Literally translated it is, _If the serpent bite for lack of enchantment, there is no advantage to the master of the tongue._ It seems best to follow the LXX. and other interpreters, and take the “master of the tongue” to mean the snake charmer, who possesses the “voi... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN CANNOT TELL. — This thought occurs repeatedly in this book. (See _reff._) The connection here would be better seen if the clause were introduced with “and yet.” The fool’s courageous loquacity is contrasted with the cautious silence which experience of his ignorance has taught the wise man.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GO TO THE CITY. — Evidently a proverbial expression; “is not able to find his way on a plain road.” (Comp. Isaiah 35:8.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WOE. — See Note on Ecclesiastes 4:10. A CHILD. — The Hebrew word has a wide range, being constantly translated _lad_ or _young man,_ and applied, for instance, to Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:1), to Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 13:7), and according to a usage common to many languages (_e.g.,_ the Latin _puer... [ Continue Reading ]
DROPPETH — _i.e.,_ lets the rain drop through.... [ Continue Reading ]
I look on these verses as isolated proverbs, and believe that the obvious meaning suggested by the English of this verse is the right one. Those who strive to trace a continuity of thought take Ecclesiastes 10:18 as a figurative description of the ruin of an ill-governed land; Ecclesiastes 10:19 as... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGHT. — A word of later Hebrew, found only in Daniel and Chronicles. THAT WHICH HATH WINGS. — Literally, _master of wings_; and so also Proverbs 1:17. (Comp. “master of the tongue,” Ecclesiastes 10:11.)... [ Continue Reading ]