VIII. (1) This verse in praise of wisdom can be connected either with what precedes or what follows. (See Hosea 14:9.) INTERPRETATION. — The word occurs elsewhere in the Chaldee parts of Daniel. BOLDNESS. — Impudence is removed from the countenance. See Proverbs 7:13; Proverbs 21:29; Sir. 13:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
The unconnected “I” with which this verse begins, indicates that some word has early dropped out of the text. The italics with which our translators fill _the_ gap no doubt give the right sense. It may be mentioned that Ecclesiastes is characterised by a superfluous use of the pronoun “I” after the... [ Continue Reading ]
I believe the rendering of our version to be correct, though some have taken it, “Be not hasty: go out of his eight.” The best commentary on this verse is Ecclesiastes 10:4, which gives the meaning, “When censured by the king, do not abandon the hope of retaining his favour, nor obstinately persist... [ Continue Reading ]
POWER. — The word used here and Ecclesiastes 5:8, only occurs again in the Chaldee part of Daniel. In the latter part of the Hebrew verse is one of the many reminiscences of the work of Job (Job 9:12; see also Wis. 12:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
The connecting particles here present difficulties which have not been satisfactorily solved; and it has even been conjectured that some words may have dropped out of the text. The first half of the verse repeats Ecclesiastes 3:1; the second almost verbally Ecclesiastes 6:1; on this account our tran... [ Continue Reading ]
SPIRIT. — As has been remarked in similar cases, the translation “wind” is possible; but the rendering of the whole verse as given in our version seems to me as good as any that it has been proposed to substitute. DISCHARGE. — Elsewhere only (Psalms 78:49) where it is translated “sending.”... [ Continue Reading ]
OWN HURT. — The Hebrew is ambiguous. We might omit “own,” and understand the verse of the misery inflicted by a tyrant on his subject, not on himself. But the context speaks of the small gain from his oppressions to the tyrant himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAD SO DONE. — An ambiguity in translation of this verse arises from the fact that the word translated “so” is rendered “well” (2 Kings 7:9 and elsewhere). Consequently some understand the verse, “The wicked receive an honourable burial, while those who have acted well are driven away from the... [ Continue Reading ]
SENTENCE. — This is a Persian word only found in Esther 1:20, and in Chaldee parts of Ezra and Daniel.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH. — Better, _Because;_ the first part of this verse being in continuation of the preceding. The latter part of the verse states the faith which the writer holds in spite of apparent contrary experience.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A SHADOW. — Ecclesiastes 6:12; Wis. 2:5; see also Wis. 4:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPPENETH. — The word is used in this sense only in Esther 9:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
The writer returns to the sentiment expressed already (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:17). EAT, AND TO DRINK, AND TO BE MERRY. — The three words occur together 1 Kings 4:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
It would have been better if the new chapter had been made to begin here. The sentiment is that already expressed in Ecclesiastes 3:11. SEETH SLEEP WITH HIS EYES. — Psalms 132:4; Proverbs 6:4; Genesis 31:40. The identical expression occurs in Terence, _Heaut_ III. 1:82, “Somnum hercle ego hae nocte... [ Continue Reading ]