UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF
ECCLESIASTES
THIS INTRODUCTION and TRANSLATION IS FROM THE NEW KJV BIBLE
Author and Date
Ecclesiastes is an anglicized form of the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Qoheleth (1:1), "one who leads an assembly, a preacher." The Book of Ecclesiastes is a representative selection of the words of this preacher (12:9,10). He diligently produced many proverbs (12:9) and other words of truth (12:10), so that the people might be admonished. This author, whose name we do not know, was a wise man, a teacher, a skilled writer, a seeker of truth, and an exhorter of his flock (12:12-14).
The veiled reference to Solomon in 1:1 seeks to give authority to what is said. The reference connects the Preacher's words to that master sage. Solomon is indeed the author of some of the wisdom literature, but he is, above all, its model and illustrative example—the ancient and revered head of the wisdom movement in Israel.
While it is possible that Solomon wrote the original, most scholars date the present form of Ecclesiastes in the third century B.C. This dating is favored by certain words and Greek thought of that period found in the book. The Hebrew language of Ecclesiastes also resembles the Hebrew of materials written after 586 B.C. The book was certainly in existence by 180 B.C. because it is mentioned in the Book of Ecclesiasticus which was written about that time. It was probably compiled sometime between 400 and 200 B.C. Whatever influence Greek thought may have had on the book, that influence was moderate. Ecclesiastes reverberates with a strong Semitic flavor.
Background
The broad setting is found in the wisdom activities of the ancient Near East (see 1 Kin. 4:29-31). The immediate background of this book, however, is the wisdom movement in Israel. The book seems to reflect a time when the hope of Israel's prophets and the expectations of a national empire were gone. The rise and fall of other empires (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece) is reflected in the monotonous historical-political cycles that the writer describes. But, as an Israelite, he knew that the "fear of God" provided the basis to endure the present, and to hope for some future reward for observing God's commandments (12:13, 14).
Purpose
The purpose of the writer is to demonstrate his thesis: "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" (1:2). This is in sharp counterpoint to the wisdom of Proverbs. There an optimistic confidence assumes that life is fundamentally logical and consistent, with wise choices producing predictably good results and foolish choices producing predictably bad results. Ecclesiastes argues that this is frequently not the case. There are inexplicable mysteries about life which defy easy solutions. If we are serving God in order to receive something, we may be very sadly surprised. Nonetheless, the writer does not counsel despair. For all the unanswered questions, it is still best to fear God, keep His commandments, and thus enjoy life (3:12; 12:13). Ultimately, he held that people are religious and moral beings, whose end is found in living an ethical life before their Creator. The major purpose of the Preacher is to show that life without reference to God is meaningless.
The recurring phrase "under the sun" (1:9) seems to be a way of making this point. Whatever ultimate truth may be, if life is merely lived for itself "under the sun," it is pointless.
Contents
The literary character of Ecclesiastes is complex. Some scholars see a barely discernible organization, but few see a clear development in content. It seems to be a collection of various types of literature, all making the same general point. There are wise sayings (proverbs) as well as sections that are reflective and meditative. It contains short narrative passages. Over one-third of the book is poetry, but also narrative and an interesting instructional style of contrasts is found in some passages (see 3:16, 17; 8:11-13).
The basic theme of the book asserts that all of life is vanity. However, this is tempered with exhortations to "fear God," "enjoy life," and realize the utter control of God in all things (3:10, 11). Human wisdom is only partial; it cannot fathom the mysteries of God's creation. The similarities between animals and people are asserted, but the moral character expected of humankind is stressed. Men and women stand responsible before God for all of their deeds whether good or evil (12:14). Ecclesiastes thus rounds out the picture given by Proverbs. Yes, there are fundamental, observable principles of living. But suppose things do not work out as we thought? Shall we give up our faith in God? No, says the Preacher, for that is to plunge into true meaninglessness. Continue to obey God and live for Him, but do not try to explain everything. Just enjoy life as God gives it. He is sovereign. Furthermore, the Christian knows that God has sent One "greater than Solomon" who can help us discern a more satisfying end for people beyond this "vast vale of tears, vacant and desolate."
Outline of Ecclesiastes
1) Introduction and thesis 1:1, 2
2) The vanity of human accomplishment 1:3— 3:22
A. Labor produces nothing new 1:3-11
B. Wisdom is grasping for wind 1:12-18
C. Mighty attainments give empty pleasure 2:1-26
D. Excessive labor is fruitless 3:1-22
3. Meditations on justice and injustice 4:1—6:12
A. Inequities of life 4:1-16
B. The value of prudence and moderation 5:1-20
C. Uncertainty of the future 6:1-12
4. Counsel for living in a vain world 7:1—12:8
A. The Preacher's discoveries 7:1—8:9
B. One thing happens to all 8:10—9:12
C. Live in the light of present uncertainty and final judgment 9:13—12:8
5. Conclusion 12:9-14
CHAPTER 1
Theme: All Is Vanity!
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, call is vanity."
The Vanity of Human Accomplishments
3 What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?
4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever.
5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose.
6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north; The wind whirls about
continually, and comes again on its circuit.
7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the
rivers come, there they return again.
8 All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient
times before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after.
[WITHOUT GOD IN THE PICTURE ALL IS JUST VANITY, HERE TODAY GONE TOMORROW. WORK IS WORK ONE DAY AFTER ANOTHER, IS THERE A PURPOSE TO IT, DOES IT BRING FULFILMENT FOR MANY IT DOES NOT. IT’S A JOB FOR A PAY-CHECK. GENERATIONS COME AND GO, THE EARTH ABIDES; THE SUN DOES ITS THING OF RISING AND SETING, DAY INTO NIGHT AND NIGHT BACK TO DAY…SO IT GOES. THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILLS AND USUALLY RETURNS TO FORMER PLACES - IT REPEATS, ON AND ON. THE RIVERS RUN TO THE SEA AND EVAPORATE FROM THE SEA UP INTO CLOUDS; THE CLOWDS MEET COLD AIR AND DOWN THEY ONCE MORE COME…THE CIRCLE IS UNBROKEN. IT CAN BE HARD WORK AT TIMES LIVING THIS LIFE; THE EYES NOT SATISFIED, MUST HAVE MORE AND MORE TECH STUFF, GADGETS, BETTER CARS, BETTER BOATS; BETTER LUXURIES, FANCY HOLIDAYS. HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF, WE SEEM NOT TO LEARN THE LESSON. THERE REALLY IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN….LIFE GOES ON, MUCH AS BEFORE ONLY IN A DIFFERENT CONTEXT. IT CAN BE EASY TO FORGET THAT WHITCH WAS DONE IN THE PAST, UNLESS HISTORY BOOKS RECORD IT. ALL WE CAN DO HERE AND NOW IS FOR HERE AND NOW….JUST CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU! WHAT IS NEWS TODAY IS FORGOTTEN BY THOSE STILL TO COME, UNLESS RECORDED IN SOME WAY. IT’S A CIRCLE FOR EVERYTHING; SO WITHOUT GOD IT THE PICTURE ALL IS VANITY; YOU COULD SAY, “WELL LET’S HAVE A PARTY FOR THIS LIFE WILL BE OVER, FORGOTTEN BY US, LET’S PARTY WHILE WE CAN” - TRULY ALL IS VANITY WITHOUT THE ETERNAL GOD IN THE FRAME WORK OF TIME - Keith Hunt]
The Vanity of Wisdom
12 the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I set my heart to seek and 'search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
1:1 the Preacher: Perhaps a tile chosen by the author to convey what he is seeking to do (see 12:8; 9): He also adopts the role of king in Jerusalem, presumably Solomon, so that he can present his observations on life with greater impact. See Introduction: Author and Date.
1:2 The thesis of the Preacher is that life lived without regard for God is of no value. It is indeed vanity (emptiness). The phrase vanity of vanities is the Hebrew way of describing the most vain thing imaginable.
1:3—3:22 Human attainments and accomplishments are worthless, thus they are referred to as labor in these verses. For Jesus' words on labor see John 6:27 and center-column reference there.
1:3-11 Labor is futile because there is no progress in the ceaseless round of nature. What do we work for? There is nothing new under the sun (v. 9).
1:3 Because there is no lasting satisfaction, all of one's labor ... under the sun (in this world) is ultimately, of no value.
1:4 Human life seems less permanent and purposeful than the physical earth.
1:7 they return again: By evaporation and rainfall.
1:8 full of labor: Our earthly accomplishments produce no lasting satisfaction.
1:9,10 nothing new: Evidently the Preacher forgot new lives, new days, possible new interests, new services, and new devotions that bring fresh meaning to life.
1:11 Our accomplishments will be forgotten by future generations.
1:12—2:23 The accomplishments of a great king: wisdom (1:13-18); pleasure (2:1-3, 10); great works (2:4-9). But because all of these bring no satisfaction, he is plunged into despair (2:17-23).
1:12 king over Israel: See Introduction: Author and Date.
1:13 The Hebrew words translated seek and search are emphatic; they indicate serious, unrelenting enquiry.
1:15 What is crooked: He despairs of straightening out the world's problems—or even counting them.
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16 I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more Wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has Understood great Wisdom and knowledge." 17 And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
[IT IS SO TRUE…. INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD, AND YOU INCREASE SORROW, FOR THERE IS SO MUCH OF IT IN VARIOUS FORMS; WITH WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE COMES MORE GRIEF AND SORROW IN SEEING ALL THE EVIL IN SO MANY PLACES. JESUS SAW JERUSALEM AND WEPT OVER HER, BECAUSE HE KNEW THE END RESULT OF THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE NOT SEEING THE KNGDOM OF GOD, AND LIVING ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THAT KINGDOM; SHE THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM WOULD SUFFER DESTRUCTION AND DEATH BY THE ROMAN ARMIES IN 70 AD - Keith Hunt]
CHAPTER 2
The Vanity of Pleasure
I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; I therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also was vanity. 2 I said of laughter—"Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?" 3 I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
[IT WAS A CAREFULLY PLANNED PLOT, TO DELVE INTO THE WORLD OF “PLEASURE” - “LAUGHTER” - “MIRTH” - “WINE” - “FOLLY” - ALL DONE WHILE GUIDING HIS HEART WITH WISDOM; NOT BEING TAKEN IN BY IT ALL; WISE ENOUGH TO KNOW THE LIMIT OF IT ALL, AND NOT BEING HOOKED BY IT AS LIKE BEING HOOKED BY A DRUG - Keith Hunt]
The Vanity of Attainment
4 I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5 I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them, 6 I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7 I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.
9 So I became great and excelled 'more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.' Also my wisdom remained with me.
10 Whatever my dyes desired I did not keeping from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed, all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.
[OH YOU CAN GO AFTER SO MANY THINGS IN THE WORLD; YOU CAN PLANT FIELDS, ORCHARDS, HAVE MALE AND FEMALE SERVANTS, YOU CAN HAVE ALL GREAT HERDS AND FLOCKS; SILVER AND GOLD YOU CAN HAVE. YOU CAN EMPLOY SINGERS, BANDS; YOU CAN HAVE FANCY HOUSES, THE BEST CARS, SPEED BOATS, SAILING BOATS, YOU CAN HAVE HUGE TV/INTERNET SCREENS ON YOUR WALLS; YOU CAN TAKE TRIPS AROUND THE WORLD, SEE MAJESTIC SIGHTS, SOME OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD……IT GOES ON…. BUT….YOU [MOST PEOPLE] HAVE TO RETURN HOME….SOON THE MEMORY FADES AND FADES MORE. IN THE SCHEME OF LIFE, IT PRODUCES A “WELL I ONCE DID THAT…..BUT KNOW I SEE THE VANITY OF IT ALL,” UNLESS YOU HAVE PHOTOS, VIDEOS, OF ALL THE TROUBLE YOU WENT THROUGH, IT’S A VANITY EXPERIENCE. IN THE END, NON OF THAT GOES WITH YOU TO THE GRAVE….AND SO LIFE WITHOUT GOD IN IT, IS AT THE END NOTHING, EMPTY; AS THE SAYING GOES, “YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU.” Keith Hunt]
Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?— Only what he has already done.
13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as light excels darkness.
14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all.
[DEATH COMES FOR THE WISE AND THE UNWISE; TO THE FOOL AND TO THE PRUDENT; TO THE WICKED AND TO THE RIGHTEOUS - Keith Hunt]
15 So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
1:17 Madness and folly are the traditional opposites of wisdom. He found no meaning anywhere.
1:18 The assessment much wisdom is much grief can be true of human wisdom without God. The writer of Proverbs had a different view of the wisdom from God (see Introduction: Purpose; see also Prov. 2:10-12).
2:1-3 enjoy pleasure: Happiness is never found in mere entertainment.
2:4-9 While these could be the writer's actual accomplishments, he might instead be speaking
metaphorically.
2:12-16 Struggling to gain wisdom seems useless if a fool and a wise man die the same death (v. 16).
2:14 eyes ... in his head: The knowledge, discretion, and understanding from God which keep the wise man from the ways of darkness (see Prov. 2:10-13).
……
16 For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!
[TODAY WE HAVE MANY “TECH” STUFF TO REMEMBER PEOPLE BY; BACK IN THE DAYS OF THIS BOOK, ONLY SOME HISTORIAN PERHAPS WOULD WRITE DOWN THINGS PERTAINING TO THIS OR THAT PERSON; FOR THE VAST MAJORITY THERE WOULD BE LITTLE IF ANYTHING TO BE REMEMBERED - Keith Hunt]
17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
[YES WHEN THE WRITER WROTE THE WORK MOST PEOPLE WOULD NEVER BE REMEMBERED - Keith Hunt]
The Vanity of Labor
18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because must leave it to the man who will come after me.
19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
20 Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.
21For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22 For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun?
23For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
[I, FOR A LARGE PORTION OF MY LIFE WAS WORKING IN THE TRADE OF AN ORTHOPAEDIC SHOEMAKER; SOMEONE ELSE MUST CARRY IT ON. THEN SOME BUILD A LARGE COMPANY ONLY IN THE END TO LEAVE IT TO ANOTHER TO INHERIT, WHO NEVER BUILT IT. SOME I’VE KNOWN HAD JOBS THEY HATED, THEY WORKED AT IT FOR A PAY-CHECK; THERE IS LITTLE REAL REST IN THE MIND, THAT YOU ARE NOT DOING A JOB THAT IS MORE REWARDING FOR YOURSELF, WHERE YOU KNEW YOU WERE CONTRIBUTING TO THE BETTERMENT OF HUMAN LIFE….ALL OF THIS IS TRYING TO GRASP AND HOLD THE WIND - VAIN LIVING IN THE END MATTER OF IT ALL, UNLESS GOD IS THERE IN YOUR LIFE, WHERE YOU WOULD SEEK A MORE FULFILLING JOB, AND THE BUSINESS YOU BUILD WAS SERVING PEOPLE, WITH WISE PEOPLE TO INHERIT IT - Keith Hunt]
Enjoy Life As God Has Made It
24 Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?
26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
[GENERAL STATEMENT HERE; EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY (PARTY) FOR YOU MAY DIE TOMORROW, NEXT WEEK, NEXT MONTH, NEXT YEAR….IF THIS PHYSICAL LIFE MEANS NOTHING IN THE END, AND GOD IS NOT THERE, YOU MAY AS WELL “LIVE IT UP” - SOLOMON (IF IT WAS HIM WRITING) SURELY COULD HAVE A PHYSICAL PLEASURES IN LIFE. VERSE 27, A GENERAL STATEMENT: WHILE SOME “GOOD” ARE GIVEN WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, JOY —
THE JOY CAN BE TOGETHER WITH SUFFERING FOR THE CHRISTIANITY IN YOUR LIFE - SEE HEBREWS 11. SOME “SINNERS” WHO DO VERY WELL IN THIS PHYSICAL LIFE, SEE IT IN THE END GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE GOOD BEFORE GOD, TO THOSE WHO WALK WITH GOD; THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE SO IT IS A GENERAL STATEMENT - Keith Hunt]
CHAPTER 3
Cycles of Life and Nature
To everything there is a, season, a time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time To be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is
planted;
3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time
to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to 'speak;
8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
9 What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?
10 I have seen
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
2:17-23 One of the most bitter thoughts for a person of great material accomplishments: Some fool will get this after I die.
2:24-26 This is one of several conclusions that assert the best way to approach life. It calls for (1) recognition of God as the source of all benefits (see James 1:17) and (2) recognition that the good things from His hand are designed for our enjoyment. See also 8:15; 9:7-10; 12:13, 14.
3:1-22 God has established the patterns of life, and all our labors (v. 9) cannot change them (vv. 11, 14). Therefore we should stop straining against these limits and find the real joy (vv. 12, 13, 22) and beauty (v. 11) which exist in the daily round.
3:3 A time to kill: May refer to legal execution or to warfare. In view of v. 5 it may mean more generally to destroy.
……
the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that mo one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
[MAN THINKS HE IS GETTING TO KNOW HOW THE UNIVERSE CAME TO BE, AND HOW IN BILLIONS OF YEARS IT WILL END…..SO EVOLUTION SCIENTISTS CLAIM….BUT IS THAT REALLY SO? NO ONE CAN REALLY KNOW THE WORK OF GOD IN ITS DETAIL - Keith Hunt]
12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,
13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.
14 I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.
[WHO CAN MAKE THE GALAXIES? WHO CAN MAKE THE SUNS THAT ARE A THOUSAND TIMES LARGER THAN OUR SUN? WHO CAN BRING FORTH THE NEW STARS; WHO CAN MAKE “BLACK HOLES” WHERE EVEN LIGHT CANNOT ESCAPE? WHO CAN COMMAND A STAR TO BURST ASUNDER? WHO CAN TELL GALAXIES TO MERGE ONE WITH THE OTHER; WHO CAN PLANT AND TELL EARTH’S MOON TO BE AND DO THE WORK IT DOES FOR OUR EARTH, THAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE ON EARTH AS WE KNOW IT. WHO CAN TELL OUR MOON TO DISAPPEAR AND BE NO MORE? THE UNIVERSE SHOULD GIVE US FULL AND DEEP RESPECT OF THE ETERNAL GOD - Keith Hunt]
15 That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past.
[THINGS IN THIS UNIVERSE REPEAT THEMSELVES, THAT WHICH IS HAS BEEN, AND WHAT IS TO BE HAS BEEN ALREADY; GOD KEEPS AN ACCOUNT OF THE PAST THAT ONE DAY ALL WILL BE KNOWN AND JUDGED. ALL OF THE SINS AND EVIL DONE, PEOPLE WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEIR JUDGMENT; THEY WILL REMEMBER THEY WERE SINNERS AND WILL NEED TO REPENT OF THOSE SINS, IF THEY DESIRE TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE; IT WILL BE THE SAME FOR THEM AS IT IS FOR US TODAY WHO ARE CALLED AND CHOSEN - Keith Hunt]
16 Moreover I saw under the sun:
In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there.
17 I said in my heart, “God shall judge the righteous and the wicked; For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
[YES ALL MUST ANSWER FOR THEIR SINS IN ACKNOWLEDGING THEM AND REPENTING….. THE TIME FOR THE RUBBER TO MEET THE ROAD IS IN GOD’S HANDS; SOME YESTERDAY, SOME TODAY, AND SOME TOMORROW; BUT ALL WILL IN THE END HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD; THE LORD WANTS EVERYONE TO REPENT AND BE SAVED INTO HIS KINGDOM - SEE 2 PETER 3: 9 - Keith Hunt]
18 I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals."
[WE ARE ALL MADE FROM THE ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD….HUMAN AND ANIMALS - Keith Hunt]
19 For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.
[IN THIS PHYSICAL LIFE DEATH COMES TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS; IN THAT REGARD HUMANS HAVE NO PRE-EMINENCE OVER ANIMALS - Keith Hunt]
20 All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.
[ALL ENTER BACK INTO THE EARTH FROM WHENCE THEY WERE MADE - Keith Hunt]
21 Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?
[MAN WAS CREATED WITH “THE SPIRIT IN MAN” - AN INVISIBLE SPIRIT ESSENCE - UNITED TO THE HUMAN BRAIN IT MAKES HUMANS MILES ABOVE THE ANIMALS IN THE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, OF BEING ABLE TO COME TO KNOW THE THINGS OF GOD. ANIMALS CAN NOT KNOW GOD AS HUMANS CAN KNOW GOD; ANIMALS HAVE NO CONSCIENCE OF RIGHT AND WRONG, GOOD AND EVIL, SINS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. A FULL IN-DEPTH STUDY CAN BE FOUND ON MY WEBSITE ABOUT THE “SPIRIT IN MAN.” THE QUESTION POSSED BY THE AUTHOR IS ANSWERED BY THE AUTHOR IN CHAPTER 12:7. THE SPIRIT IN MAN RETURNS TO GOD AT DEATH, TO BE THE CD OF CHARACTER; FOR THE CHILD OF GOD, SINS WIPED AWAY, ONLY PURE RIGHTEOUSNESS REMAINS; FOR THOSE NOT CALLED AND CHOSEN UNTIL THE SECOND RESURRECTION, ALL THEIR DOINGS GOOD AND EVIL REMAIN, THEIR SINS REMAIN UNTIL THEY FREELY REPENT OF THEM - Keith Hunt]
22 So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
[HUMAN WORKS CAN BE SO GREAT, MUCH HIGHER AND GREATER THAN ANY ANIMAL IN TRUE WORTH AMONG MANKIND. CERTAIN ANIMALS CAN DO WONDERFUL THINGS FOR HUMANS, AS LIKE THE HORSE HAS DONE FOR MANKIND IN SO MANY PHYSICAL WAYS, BUT THE HORSE HAS NO HUMAN SPIRIT THAT CAN KNOW GOD, KNOW SIN, KNOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, KNOW THE THINGS OF THE HUMAN MIND, COME TO COMPREHEND THE WAYS AND WORKS OF THE LORD. IT IS A QUESTION POSED….MANKIND CANNOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW, OR NEXT WEEK, OR NEXT MONTH, IN HIS LIFE. BUT GOD CAN BRING HIM TO SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO HIM IN THE ULTIMATE FUTURE OF IT ALL - GOD CAN BRING HIM TO SEE ETERNAL LIFE IN GLORY WITH GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHIRST HIS SON, CAN BE HIS, IF HE WILL REPENT AND SERVE THE WAYS OF THE ETERNAL GOD - Keith Hunt]
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
3:11 Eternity may refer to the desire and capacity people have to examine and understand God and His world, from beginning to end: God's works will never be fully known. This does not mean that since we cannot understand life's riddles, life is without meaning. The Preacher has no question that there is a God, and that His ways, though often strange, are right.
3:14-22 God's decisions for His world stand secure and complete. The world is constructed to lead men to fear (acknowledge) Him. The fear of God is the basis for a correct approach to life (see 3:14; 5:7; 7:18; 8:12, 13; 12:13; see also "The Fear of the Lord" at Gen. 20:11). 3:14,15 God is sovereign over all things: past, present, and future.
3:18,19 In their physical lives humans are animals - because they die as animals die. But humans are more than their bodies (see Ps. 8:3-8).
3:20-22 all return to dust: Apart from revelation, no one knows the answers to this puzzle. Something happens to the nerve of faith and high endeavor whenever doubt regarding a person's future takes possession of the spirit.
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CHAPTER 4
The Inequities of Life
Then I returned and considered all the Oppression that is done under the sun:
And look! The tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressors there is power, but they have no comforter.
2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, more than the living who are still alive. 3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
[CERTAINLY WHEN WE LOOK AT THE EVIL DONE FROM MAN TO MAN; WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL THE SICKNESSES AND SORROWS AND PAIN OF LIFE, WE CAN SEE WHY THE WRITER THOUGHT IT BETTER TO HAVE NEVER BEEN BORN - Keith Hunt]
4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
[OH YES YOU CAN DO GOOD SKILLFUL THINGS AND YOU HAVE ENEMIES WHO ENVY YOU IN A MALICIOUS WAY - THIS ALSO IS UNDER OUR SUN - Keith Hunt]
5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
[SOME JUST EXIST, BECAUSE OF DRUGS AND/OR ALCOHOL; SOME JUST GET INTO AN ATTITUDE OF “WOW IS ME, I GIVE UP” AND LIVE JUST BARELY EXISTING - Keith Hunt]
6 Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
[SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO LIVE WITH LITTLE IN HAPPINESS AND PEACE, THAN WITH THE ATTITUDE OF WANTING TO BE A BILLIONAIRE GRASPING AT EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN - NEVER HAVING PEACE OF MIND - Keith Hunt]
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
8 There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of ''good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.
[SOME WITH EVEN NO BIG FAMILY TO SUPPORT CAN GET THE “RICHES” BUG, JUST GOT TO HAVE MORE AND MORE, NO MATTER WHAT EVIL OR SLIGHT OF HAND IT TAKES - Keith Hunt]
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm
alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
13 Better a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
14 For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.
15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
16 There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
4:1—6:12 Puzzling observations on the injustices of life.
4:1-3 The writer concludes that death is better than life, and it would be better never to have been born, if God does not ultimately judge.
4:4-8 The foolishness of incessant labor beyond that necessary to satisfy daily needs. It is especially true of the one who labors even though he has no companion, son, or brother (v.8) and finds no satisfaction in his riches.
4:5 fools fold their hands: see Prov. 24:30-34 and note.
4: 9-12 A pleasant observation among many negative ones. Friendship and support in this world are a great benefit, and Christ is closer to us than a brother. If our work in fact alienates us from friend, spouse, and the Lord, it is doubly foolish.
4:13 The fame and position of even a king are of no real value if he is not wise.
4: 13-16 Even the glory of having become king, after being poor and obscure, finally ends in being replaced by a second youth (v. 15) ands forgotten. It is vain to grasp even for rulership.
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CHAPTER 5
Prudence and Moderation
Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
2 Do not be crash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
[NOW THAT IS SOME TEACHING FOR CHRISTIANS, BETTER TO HEAR, MEDITATE, STUDY, BEFORE SPEAKING - Keith Hunt]
3 For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool's voice is known by his many words.
[A PERSON WITH A MIND THAT RUNS ALL OVER THE PLACE, HAVING NO TIME TO STUDY AND MEDITATE, BUT SPEAKS OUT WAY TO OFTEN, WILL IN THE END BE A FOOL WITH A BIG MOUTH - Keith Hunt]
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.
[VOWING IS ABOLISHED UNDER THE NEW TESTAMENT, SO SAID JESUS AND JAMES ….DO NOT SWEAR BY THIS OR THAT; THE SPIRIT OF THE CHRISTIAN NEEDS NO SWEARING ON THE BIBLE ETC. Keith Hunt]
5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
[ I GUESS THE CHRISTIAN COULD APPLY THIS TO “PROMISES” - BETTER NOT TO PROMISE AND NOT FULFIL - Keith Hunt]
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
5:1 Worship God with full awareness of what you do and say. Hear what He says to you.
5:2,3 Rash words and feverish activity do not impress God. Humility is more fitting.
5:4, 5 Better not to vow: But better still to vow and pay.
See Prov. 20:25 and note.
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6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, or say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
[YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEAK; YOU NEED TO STUDY AND MEDITATE; YOU NEED TO REST AND BE QUIET, AND KNOW WHAT YOUR SPEAKING ABOUT BEFORE YOU BRING FORTH WORDS ON ANY SUBJECT; BETTER TO BE QUIET AND LEARN FIRST BEFORE TRYING TO IMPRESS PEOPLE; THEY SOON TAG YOU WITH BEING “A KNOW IT ALL” PERSON. IF A CHRISTIAN YOU SHOULD NOT WANT GOD TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOU FOR BEING SO VAIN WITH YOUR MOUTH - Keith Hunt]
8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
9 Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.
[IT TENDS TO BE THAT CORRUPTION OF LEADERS OF A LAND OR PROVINCE, IS BOUND TO HAPPEN AT TIMES….NO SHOCK THERE, IT’S BEEN DONE FOR GENERATIONS; BUT USUALLY OTHER OFFICIALS WILL CATCH THE CORRUPTING PERSON, AND IT ALL IS BROUGHT TO EVERYONE’S ATTENTION - Keith Hunt]
10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
[GREEDINESS CAN BECOME LIKE A DRUG…..NO SATISFACTION, BUT MUST HAVE MORE AND MORE, THE MIND IS TWISTED AND CAPTIVATED BY IT ALL - Keith Hunt]
11 When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes?
[PHYSICAL THINGS CAN BE AN OBSESSION WITH THOSE PRONE TO HAVE SUCH A MIND SET OF SEEING AND ACQUIRING - Keith Hunt]
12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
[THOSE WHO WORK HARD AND ARE NOT CONSUMED BY HAVING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE, CAN SLEEP WITH A CONTENTED MIND; BUT THOSE WHO HAVE A MIND SET ON RICHES AND ACQUIRE THEM, ARE SO FILLED WITH THEIR RICHES, THEY TEND TO HAVE THEM ON THEIR MIND ALL THE TIME, HENCE CAN HAVE POOR SLEEP - Keith Hunt]
13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.
14 But those riches perish through misfortune; when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.
15 As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, to go as he came; and he shall take nothing from his labor which he may carry away in his hand.
[RICHES FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING RICHES CAN BE LOST OR MISUSED, AND LEAVE NOTHING FOR CHILDREN TO INHERIT; ONE THING FOR CERTAIN, NO PERSON CAN TAKE THEIR RICHES TO THE GRAVE WITH THEM - Keith Hunt]
16 And this also is a severe evil—just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
[SO PEOPLE NEED TO KEEP THE CORRECT PERSPECTIVE ON ALL PHYSICAL THINGS, FOR THEIR IS NO LASTING PROFIT FOR YOU PERSONALLY; NO AMOUNT OF LOBOR AND RICHES CAN YOU TAKE TO THE GRAVE - Keith Hunt]
17 All his days he also eats in darkness, and he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.
[WELL SOME OF THE RICH DO; A GENERAL STATEMENT HERE. FOR IT IS NOT WRONG TO BE PHYSICALLY RICH IF YOU USE IT TO SERVE AND HELP OTHERS; USING IT TO HAVE GOD PLEASED - Keith Hunt]
18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.
[IF IN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF MIND, IF GOD ALLOWS YOU TO BE PROSPEROUS IN YOUR LABORS, YOU CAN WITH THE LORD’S BLESSING, HAVE AND ENJOY MANY OF THE GOOD AND RIGHT THINGS OF THIS PHYSICAL LIFE…. GOOD FOOD AND DRINK AND OTHER ENJOYABLE THINGS. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED IN MY LATTER YEARS TO BE GRANTED THE DREAM HORSE OF MY CHILDHOOD - MY BEAUTIFUL TALENTED GOLDEN PALOMINO HORSE - GOLDIE. I’VE BEEN GRANTED GOOD HEALTH AND ENJOY MANY PHYSICAL THINGS THAT ARE FINE AND PROPER FOR CHRISTIANS TO ENJOY - Keith Hunt]
19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the
joy of his heart.
[THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF MIND IN ALL YOU HAVE IS THE KEY TO ENJOY ALL YOU HAVE AND TO FIND FAVOR WITH GOD - Keith Hunt]
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Comments from the New kJ Study Bible
5:6, 7 The messenger of God possibly refers to the priest at the temple (see v. 1; Mai. 2:7), it was an error: Claiming that an uttered vow was a mistake. But God does not accept careless or insincere worship, fear God: See "The Fear of the Lord" at Gen. 20:11.
5:8 Oppression is found in every level of society. This is not surprising when higher officials know and share in the profits.
5:9 The labor of the various levels of society feeds everyone—even the king. Perhaps this is saying that oppression will ultimately be curbed by society's basic need for survival.
5:10-17 Wealth does not bring satisfaction.
5:10 loves silver: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (I Tim. 6:10).
5:12 Money, valued too highly, corrodes life with worry.
5:13-17 The hurt came when the owner lost his money through misfortune and had nothing left to give to his son (v. 14). Verses 15-17 refer to the owner.
5:17 eats in darkness: This may refer to a miser who refuses to spend money even for light.5:18-20 his heritage: Similar to the conclusions of 2:24-26. Life and its blessings are the gifts of God. Interest in, and enjoyment of, God's gifts provides release from anxieties.
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CHAPTER 6
Uncertainty of the Future
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.
[THE PERSON’S ATTITUDE IS WRONG WITH ALL THEY HAVE; GOD MAY VERY WELL NOT GIVE THEM THE ENJOYMENT OF IT ALL - HENCE IN THE END IT SERVED HIM NAUGHT - Keith Hunt]
3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— 4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?
[WE ALL END UP IN THE GRAVE…..THOSE WITH MUCH NEED TO PRAISE GOD FOR IT ALL, ENJOY IT ALL WITH THE MIND SET THAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD; OTHERWISE IT DOES THEM NO GOOD AT ALL; A STILL BORN CHILD, WHEN RESURRECTED IN THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT PERIOD, WILL DO BETTER THAN THE PERSON WITH MUCH IN THIS LIFE, BUT WHO HAD THE WRONG ATTITUDE OF LIVING, A LIFE WITH NO GOODNESS IN IT. THE STILL BORN CHILD WHEN RESURRECTED WILL NOT BE BOUND BY A LIFE OF WRONG LIVING; THE CHILD WILL GROW INTO THE TRUTH OF GOD EASIER THAN THEY WHO HAVE TO REPENT OF SO MUCH WRONG ATTITUDE WITH ALL THEY WERE GIVEN - Keith Hunt]
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
6:1-12 Another bitter indictment of life. What good is it to have lived if we found no satisfaction or honor? It would be better to have been stillborn (v. 3).
6:2-4 foreigner consumes it: Possibly the results of war; no burial: To come to the end of one's life without proper respect and honor was regarded with horror all across the ancient Near East.
6:5,6 Better never to have been born than to live a frustrated life. For our writer the experience of goodness is the main goal of life.
……
7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.
8 For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, who knows how to walk before the living?
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
[FOR SOME IT IS “TALK IS CHEAP” SO THEY TALK ABOUT HOW GREAT IT IS TO HAVE THIS JOB, DO THE THINGS THEY CAN DO; TAKE EXOTIC HOLIDAYS; BUY EXPENSIVE CARES; BUT THE INNER SOUL, THE HEART AND MIND IS NOT REALLY SATISFIED. BETTER TO SEE WITH THE CORRECT SIGHT, THAN BE CONSTANTLY DREAMING OF “WHAT MIGHT OR COULD HAVE BEEN.” THE RELATIVELY POOR PERSON KNOW WHAT HE HAS WHEN GOD IS IN HIS LIFE. IT IS SOMEWHAT BETTER TO HAVE THE SIGHT OF THE EYES; THAN THE WANDERING OF THE DESIRE THAT COULD LEAD TO WRONG WAYS TO LIVE, EVEN FOR THE MOMENT OF DESIRE - Keith Hunt]
10 Whatever one is, he has been named already, for it is known that he is man; and he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.
11 Since there are many things that increase vanity, how is man the better?
12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
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Comments from the New KJV Study Bible
6:7 A profound insight. What can satisfy our souls? See Matt. 6:33.
6:8, 9 The apparent meaning is that it is better to enjoy what we have rather than fret over what we want.
6:10-12 he is man: God has set the limits of human life, and we cannot alter them, who knows? God's limits on human knowledge mean that we cannot know what will happen on earth either in our future days; or after we die. This should give more incentive to seek God's will in our daily lives (see James 4:13-15).
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TO BE CONTINUED
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