Reference: Ecclesiastes
American
The preacher, the name of a book of the Old Testament, usually ascribed to Solomon. Compare 1Ki 3:12 and Ec 1:16; 1Ki 10:21,27 and Ec 2:4-9; 1Ki 11:3-4 and 25/type/acv'>Ex 7:25,25. It appears to have been written by Solomon in his old age, when freed from the entanglements of idolatry, luxury, and lust, B. C. 977. It is a discourse upon the true wisdom; with many isolated precepts, illustrated from his own unexampled experience and from the most sagacious observation of the course of life; the whole demonstrating the vanity of all earthly good, and showing that there is a better life to come, and that the only true wisdom is to "fear God and keep his commandments." This, he says, is the conclusion of the whole matter, Ec 12:13. In reading this book, care should be taken not to deduce opinions from detached sentiments, but from the general scope and combined force of the whole.
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And seven days were fulfilled, after LORD had smitten the river.
And seven days were fulfilled, after LORD had smitten the river.
behold, I have done according to thy word. Lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so that there has been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like thee.
I communed with my own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten for me great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yea, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
I made for me great works. I built for me houses. I planted for me vineyards. I made for me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. read more. I made for me pools of water, to water from there the forest where trees were reared. I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for me silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of men, [and] a wife and wives. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
[This is] the end of the matter, all has been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.
Easton
the Greek rendering of the Hebrew Koheleth, which means "Preacher." The old and traditional view of the authorship of this book attributes it to Solomon. This view can be satisfactorily maintained, though others date it from the Captivity. The writer represents himself implicitly as Solomon (Ec 1:12). It has been appropriately styled The Confession of King Solomon. "The writer is a man who has sinned in giving way to selfishness and sensuality, who has paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life, but who has through all this been under the discipline of a divine education, and has learned from it the lesson which God meant to teach him." "The writer concludes by pointing out that the secret of a true life is that a man should consecrate the vigour of his youth to God." The key-note of the book is sounded in Ec 1:2,
Vanity of vanities! saith the Preacher, Vanity of vanities! all is vanity!
i.e., all man's efforts to find happiness apart from God are without result.
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Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Hastings
ECCLESIASTES
1. Title and Canonicity.
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One generation goes, and another generation comes, but the earth abides forever. The sun also arises, and the sun goes down and hastens to its place where it arises. read more. The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually in its course, and the wind returns again to its circuits. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from where the rivers come, there they go again. All things are full of weariness, man cannot utter [it]. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done. And there is no new thing under the sun. Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us. There is no remembrance of the former [things], nor shall there be any remembrance of the latter that are to come, among those who shall come after. I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure. And, behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, It is mad, and of mirth, What does it do? read more. I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th I made for me great works. I built for me houses. I planted for me vineyards.
I made for me great works. I built for me houses. I planted for me vineyards. I made for me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
I made for me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. I made for me pools of water, to water from there the forest where trees were reared.
I made for me pools of water, to water from there the forest where trees were reared. I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem.
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for me silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of men, [and] a wife and wives.
I also gathered for me silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of men, [and] a wife and wives. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy. For my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. read more. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. And I turned myself to behold wisdom and madness and folly. For what [can] the man [do] who comes after the king? [Even] that which has been done long ago.
There is nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
For to the man who pleases him [God] gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted, read more. a time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up, a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance, a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to seek, and a time to lose, a time to keep, and a time to cast away, a time to tear, and a time to sew, a time to keep silence, and a time to speak, a time to love, and a time to hate, a time for war, and a time for peace. What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also he has set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
I know that, whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. And God has done it that men should fear before him.
I know that, whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it. And God has done it that men should fear before him. That which is, has been long ago, and that which is to be, has long ago been. And God seeks again that which has passed away. read more. And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there, and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous man and the wicked man, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are beasts.
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion. For who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?
Keep thy foot when thou go to the house of God, for to draw near to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools. For they know not that they do evil.
Keep thy foot when thou go to the house of God, for to draw near to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools. For they know not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth. Therefore let thy words be few.
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth. Therefore let thy words be few. For a dream comes with a multitude of business, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words.
For a dream comes with a multitude of business, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words. When thou vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which thou vow.
When thou vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which thou vow. Better is it that thou should not vow, than that thou should vow and not pay.
Better is it that thou should not vow, than that thou should vow and not pay. Do not allow thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say thou before the [heavenly] agent, that is was an error. Why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
Do not allow thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say thou before the [heavenly] agent, that is was an error. Why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words. But fear thou God.
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words. But fear thou God.
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words. But fear thou God.
All his days also he eats in gloom, and he is greatly troubled, and has depression and anger. Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be fitting is [for a man] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor in which he labors under the sun all the days of his life which God has given him, for this is his p read more. Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.
Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago, and it is know what man is. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
A [good] name is better than precious oil, and the day of death, than the day of birth.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools. read more. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. Surely oppression makes the wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Say thou not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou do not inquire wisely concerning this. Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense. But the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. Consider the work of God. For who can make that straight, which he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider. Yea, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
It is good that thou should take hold of this, yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand. For he who fears God shall come forth from them all. Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, [and] whose hands are chains. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, [and] whose hands are chains. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account, read more. which my soul still seeks, but I have not found: among a thousand I have found one man, but among all those I have not found a woman. Behold, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many contrivances.
Who is as the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. I [say], Keep the king's command, and that because of the oath of God.
I [say], Keep the king's command, and that because of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his presence. Persist not in an evil matter, for he does whatever pleases him. read more. For the king's word [has] power, and who may say to him, What are thou doing? He who keeps a commandment shall know no evil thing. And a wise man's heart discerns the time and decision. For to every purpose there is a time and decision, although the distress of man is great upon him.
So I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were praised in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity.
So I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were praised in the city where they had so done. This also is vanity. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. read more. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and prolongs his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with those who fear God, who fear before him. But it shall not be well with a wicked man, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow, because he did not fear before God.
Then I commended joy, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be cheerful. For that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. Because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he shall not find it. Yea moreover, though a wise man thinks to know it, yet he
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God has already accepted thy works. Let thy garments be always white, and let not thy head lack oil. read more. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou love all the days of thy life of vanity, which he has given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity. For that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor in which thou labor under the sun. Whatever thy hand finds to do, do with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where thou go.
I have also seen wisdom under the sun this way, and it seemed great to me: There was a little city, and few men within it. And there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. read more. Now there was found in it a poor wise man. And he by his wisdom delivered the city, yet no man remembered that same poor man.
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor, [so] a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left. read more. Yea also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone [that] he is a fool. If the spirit of the ruler rises up against thee, leave not thy place, for deference allays great offences. There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceeds from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and rulers walking like servants upon the earth. He who digs a pit shall fall into it, and he who breaks through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. He who hews out stones shall be hurt therewith, [and] he who splits wood is endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must increase strength. But wisdom is advantageous to make right. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow himself up. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. A fool also multiplies words; [yet] man knows not what shall be, and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? The labor of fools wearies every one of them, for he knows not how to go to the city. Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy rulers feast in the morning!
By slothfulness the roof sinks in, and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought, and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber. For a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
As thou know not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [grow] in the womb of her who is with child, even so thou know not the work of God who does all.
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes. But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgmen
Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them,
Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them, before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain, read more. in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows shall be darkened, and the doors shall be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low, yea, they shall be afraid of height, and terrors [shall be] in the way, and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail, because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies. They have been given from one shepherd.
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened [by] the masters of assemblies. They have been given from one shepherd. And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. read more. [This is] the end of the matter, all has been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.
[This is] the end of the matter, all has been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Where is a wise man? Where is a scholar? Where is a researcher of this age? Did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?
Smith
Ecclesias'tes
(the preacher). The title of this book is in Hebrew Koheleth, signifying one who speaks publicly in an assembly. Koheleth is the name by which Solomon, probably the author, speaks of himself throughout the book. The book is that which it professes to be, --the confession of a man of wide experience looking back upon his past life and looking out upon the disorders and calamities which surround him. The writer is a man who has sinned in giving way to selfishness and sensuality, who has paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life, but who has through all this been under the discipline of a divine education, and has learned from it the lesson which God meant to teach him.
Watsons
ECCLESIASTES, a canonical book of the Old Testament, of which Solomon was the author, as appears from the first sentence. The design of this book is to show the vanity of all sublunary things; and from a review of the whole, the author draws this pertinent conclusion, "Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man;"