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/mstc'>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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And it continued a week after that the LORD had smote the river.
And it continued a week after that the LORD had smote the river.
see, I have done according to thy petition. And behold, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
I communed with mine own heart, saying, "Lo, I am come to a great estate, and have gotten more wisdom, than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem." Yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge,
I made gorgeous fair works. I builded me houses, and planted vineyards. I made me orchards and gardens of pleasure, and planted trees in them of all manner fruits. read more. I made pools of water, to water the green and fruitful trees withal. I bought servants and maidens, and had a great household. As for cattle and sheep, I had more substance of them than all they that were before me in Jerusalem. I gathered silver and gold together, even a treasure of kings and lands. I provided me singers and women which could play of instruments, to make man mirth and pastime. I gat me drinking cups also and glasses. Shortly, I was greater and in more worship, than all my predecessors in Jerusalem. For wisdom remained with me:
Let us hear the conclusion of all things: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that toucheth all men;
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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
All is but vanity - sayeth the Preacher - all is but plain vanity.
Hastings
ECCLESIASTES
1. Title and Canonicity.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
One generation passeth away, another cometh, but the earth abideth still. The Sun ariseth, the sun goeth down, and returneth to his place, that he may there rise up again. read more. The wind goeth toward the South and turneth unto the North, fetcheth his compass, whirleth about, and goeth forth and returneth again to his circuits from whence he did come. All floods run into the sea, and yet the sea is not filled: for look, unto what place the waters run, thence they come again. All things are so hard, that no man can express them. The eye is not satisfied with sight; the ear is not filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, cometh to pass again; and the thing that hath been done, again is done - there is nothing new under the Sun. Is there anything, whereof it may be said, "Lo, this is new?" For it was long ago in the times that have been before us. The thing that is past, is out of remembrance; Even so the things that are for to come, shall no more be thought upon among them that come after. I myself, the Preacher, being king of Israel and Jerusalem,
The crooked cannot be made straight, and the faults cannot be numbered.
Then said I thus in my heart, "Now go to, I will take mine ease and have good days." But lo, that was vanity also: insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?" read more. So I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, to apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the time that among all the things which are under the Sun, I might see what were best for men to do, so long as they live under heaven. I made gorgeous fair works. I builded me houses, and planted vineyards.
I made gorgeous fair works. I builded me houses, and planted vineyards. I made me orchards and gardens of pleasure, and planted trees in them of all manner fruits.
I made me orchards and gardens of pleasure, and planted trees in them of all manner fruits. I made pools of water, to water the green and fruitful trees withal.
I made pools of water, to water the green and fruitful trees withal. I bought servants and maidens, and had a great household. As for cattle and sheep, I had more substance of them than all they that were before me in Jerusalem.
I bought servants and maidens, and had a great household. As for cattle and sheep, I had more substance of them than all they that were before me in Jerusalem. I gathered silver and gold together, even a treasure of kings and lands. I provided me singers and women which could play of instruments, to make man mirth and pastime. I gat me drinking cups also and glasses.
I gathered silver and gold together, even a treasure of kings and lands. I provided me singers and women which could play of instruments, to make man mirth and pastime. I gat me drinking cups also and glasses. Shortly, I was greater and in more worship, than all my predecessors in Jerusalem. For wisdom remained with me:
Shortly, I was greater and in more worship, than all my predecessors in Jerusalem. For wisdom remained with me: And look whatsoever mine eyes desired, I let them have it: and wherein soever my heart delighted, or had any pleasure, I withheld it not from it. Thus my heart rejoiced in all that I did, and this I took for the portion of all my travail. read more. But when I considered all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labours that I had taken therein: Lo, all was vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun.
But when I considered all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labours that I had taken therein: Lo, all was vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun.
But when I considered all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labours that I had taken therein: Lo, all was vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun. Then turned I me to consider wisdom, error and foolishness: for what is he among men, that might be compared to me the king in such work?
Is it not better then for a man to eat and drink, and his soul to be merry in his labour? Yea I saw that this also was a gift of God:
He giveth unto man, what it pleaseth him; whether it be wisdom, understanding, or gladness. But unto the sinner he giveth weariness and sorrow, that he may gather and heap together the thing, that afterward shall be given unto him whom it pleaseth God. This is now a vain thing, yea a very disquietness and vexation of mind.
Every thing hath a time; yea, all that is under the heaven, hath his convenient season. There is a time to be born, and a time to die. There is a time to plant, and a time to pluck up the thing, that is planted; read more. A time to slay, and a time to make whole; 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 win, and a time to lose; A time to spare, and a time to spend; A time to cut in pieces, and a time to sew together; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace. What else hath a man that doth anything, but weariness and labour?
All this hath he ordained marvelous goodly, to every thing his due time. He hath planted ignorance also in the hearts of men, that they should not find out the ground of his works, which he doth from the beginning to the end. So I perceived, that in these things there is nothing better for a man, then to be merry and to do well so long as he liveth.
I considered also that whatsoever God doth, it continueth forever, and that nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it: And that God doth it to the intent that men should fear him.
I considered also that whatsoever God doth, it continueth forever, and that nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it: And that God doth it to the intent that men should fear him. The thing that hath been, is now; and the thing that is for to come, hath been afore time: for God restoreth again the thing that was past. read more. Moreover, I saw under the sun ungodliness in the stead of judgment, and iniquity instead of righteousness. Then thought I in my mind, "God shall separate the righteous from the ungodly, and then shall be the time and judgment of all counsels and works." I communed with mine own heart also concerning the children of men: how God hath chosen them, and yet letteth them appear as though they were beasts.
Wherefore I perceive, that there is nothing better for a man, than to be joyful in his labour, for that is his portion. But who will bring him to see the thing that shall come after him?
So I turned me, and considered all the violent wrong that is done under the Sun, and beheld the tears of such as were oppressed; and there was no man to comfort them or that would deliver and defend them from the violence of their oppressors.
Therefore two are better than one, for they may well enjoy the profit of their labour. If one of them fall, his companion helpeth him up again: But woe is him that is alone, for if he fall, he hath not another to help him up. read more. Again, when two sleep together, they are warm: but how can a body be warm alone? One may be overcome, but two may make resistance: A threefold cable is not lightly broken. A poor child being wise, is better than an old king that doteth, and cannot beware in time to come. Someone cometh out of prison, and is made a king; and another which is born in the kingdom, cometh unto poverty. And I perceived, that all men living under the Sun, go with the second child, that cometh up in the stead of the other. As for the people that have been before him, and that come after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy the greater through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of mind. (v17) When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nigh, that thou mayest hear: that is better than the offerings of fools, for they know not what evil they do
Be not hasty with thy mouth,
Be not hasty with thy mouth, and let not thine heart speak anything rashly before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few.
and let not thine heart speak anything rashly before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few. For where much carefulness is, there are many dreams: and where many words are, there men may hear fools.
For where much carefulness is, there are many dreams: and where many words are, there men may hear fools. If thou make a vow unto God, be not slack to perform it. As for foolish vows, he hath no pleasure in them.
If thou make a vow unto God, be not slack to perform it. As for foolish vows, he hath no pleasure in them. If thou promise anything, pay it; for better it is that thou make no vow than that thou shouldest promise, and not pay.
If thou promise anything, pay it; for better it is that thou make no vow than that thou shouldest promise, and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh for to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it is thy ignorance. For then God will be angry at thy voice, and destroy all the works of thine hands.
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh for to sin, neither say thou before the angel that it is thy ignorance. For then God will be angry at thy voice, and destroy all the works of thine hands. And why? Whereas are many dreams and many words, there are also divers vanities: but look that thou fear God.
And why? Whereas are many dreams and many words, there are also divers vanities: but look that thou fear God.
And why? Whereas are many dreams and many words, there are also divers vanities: but look that thou fear God.
All the days of his life also must he eat in the dark, with great carefulness, sickness and sorrow. Therefore me think it a better and fairer thing, a man to eat and drink, and to be refreshed of all his labour that he taketh under the Sun all the days of his life which God giveth him: for this is his portion. read more. For unto whomsoever God giveth riches, goods and power, he giveth it him to enjoy it, to take it for his portion, and to be refreshed of his labour: this is now the gift of God.
For unto whomsoever God giveth riches, goods and power, he giveth it him to enjoy it, to take it for his portion, and to be refreshed of his labour: this is now the gift of God.
All the labour that man taketh is for himself, and yet his desire is never filled after his mind.
The sight of the eyes is better, then that the soul should so depart away. Howbeit, this is also a vain thing and a disquietness of mind. The thing that hath been is named already, and known - that it is man himself: neither may he go to law with him that is mightier than he.
For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?
A good name is more worth than a precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.
The heart of the wise is in the mourning house; but the heart of the foolish is in the house of mirth. It is better to give ear to the chastening of a wise man, than to hear the song of fools. read more. For the laughing of fools is like the crackling of thorns under a pot. And that is but a vain thing. Whoso doeth wrong, maketh a wise man to go out of his wit, and destroyeth a gentle heart. The end of a thing is better than the beginning. The patient of spirit is better than the high minded. Be not hastily angry in thy mind, for wrath resteth in the bosom of a fool. Say not thou, "What is the cause that the days of the old time were better than they that be now?" For that were no wise question. Wisdom is better than riches; yea, much more worth than the eyesight. For wisdom defendeth as well as money, and the excellent knowledge and wisdom giveth life to him that have it in possession. Consider the work of God, how that no man can make the thing straight, which he maketh crooked. Use well the time of prosperity and remember the time of misfortune: For God maketh one by the other, so that a man can find nothing else.
It is good for thee to take hold of this, and not to let that go out of thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape them all. Wisdom giveth more courage unto the wise, than ten mighty men of the city.
And I found, that a woman is bitterer than death: for she is a very angle, her heart is a net, and her hands are chains. Who so pleaseth God shall escape from her, but the sinner will be taken with her.
And I found, that a woman is bitterer than death: for she is a very angle, her heart is a net, and her hands are chains. Who so pleaseth God shall escape from her, but the sinner will be taken with her. Behold - sayeth the preacher - this have I diligently searched out and proved, that I might come by knowledge: which as yet I seek, and find it not. read more. Among a thousand men I have found one, but not one woman among all. Lo, this only have I found, that God made man just and right, but they seek divers subtleties.
Who is wise? Who hath knowledge to make an answer? Wisdom maketh a man's face to shine, but malice putteth it out of favour. Keep the king's commandment, I warn thee, and the oath that thou hast made unto God.
Keep the king's commandment, I warn thee, and the oath that thou hast made unto God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight, and see thou continue in no evil thing: for whatsoever it pleaseth him, that doeth he. read more. Like as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so whom may say unto him, "What doest thou?" Whoso keepeth the commandment, shall feel no harm: but a wise man's heart discerneth time and manner. For everything will have opportunity and judgment, and this the thing that maketh men full of carefulness and sorrow.
For I have oft seen the ungodly brought to their graves, and fallen down from the high and glorious place; insomuch that they were forgotten in the city where they were had in so high and great reputation. This is also a vain thing.
For I have oft seen the ungodly brought to their graves, and fallen down from the high and glorious place; insomuch that they were forgotten in the city where they were had in so high and great reputation. This is also a vain thing. Because now that evil works are not hastily punished, the heart of man giveth himself over unto wickedness. read more. But though an evil person offend a hundredth times, and have a long life: yet am I sure, that it shall go well with them that fear God, because they have him before their eyes. Again, as for the ungodly, it shall not be well with him, neither shall he prolong his days: but even as a shadow, so shall he be that feareth not God.
Therefore I commend gladness, because a man hath no better thing under the Sun, than to eat and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall he have of his labour all the days of his life, which God giveth him under the Sun.
I understood of all the works of God, that it is not possible for a man, to attain unto works that are done under the Sun: and though he bestow his labour to seek them out, yet can he not reach unto them: yea, though a wise man would undertake to know them, yet might he not find them.
Go thou thy way then, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness, for thy works please God. Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want none ointment. read more. Use thy self to live joyfully with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy life which is but vanity, that God hath given thee under the Sun; all the days of thy vanity. For that is thy portion in this life, of all thy labor and travail that thou takest under the Sun. Whatsoever thou takest in hand to do, that do with all thy power: for among the dead, where thou goest unto, there is neither work, counsel, knowledge nor wisdom.
This wisdom have I seen also under the Sun, and me thought it a great thing. There was a little city, and a few men within it: so there came a great king and besieged it, and made great bulwarks against it. read more. And in the city there was found a poor man - but he was wise - which with his wisdom delivered the city: yet was there no body, that had any respect for such a simple man.
A wise man's counsel that is followed in silence, is far above the crying of a captain among fools.
Dead flies corrupt sweet ointment and make it to stink. Even so, oft times, he that hath been had in estimation for wisdom and honour is abhorred because of a little foolishness. A wise man's heart is upon the righthand, but a fool's heart is upon the left. read more. A doting fool thinketh, that every man doth as foolishly as himself. If a principal spirit be given thee to bear rule, be not negligent then in thine office: for so shall great wickedness be put down, as it were with a medicine. Another plague is there, which I have seen under the sun; namely, the ignorance that is commonly among princes: in that a fool sitteth in great dignity, and the rich are set down beneath. I see servants ride upon horses, and princes going upon their feet as it were servants. But he that diggeth up a pit, shall fall therein himself; and whoso breaketh down the hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall have travail withal; and he that heweth wood, shall be hurt therewith. When an iron is blunt, and the point not sharpened, it must be whet again, and that with might. Even so doth wisdom follow diligence. A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that stingeth without hissing. The words out of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will destroy himself. The beginning of his talking is foolishness, and the last word of his mouth is great madness. A fool is so full of words, that a man cannot tell what end he shall make. Who will then warn him of it that shall follow after him? The labour of the foolish is grievous unto them, while they know not how to go in to the city. Woe be unto thee, O thou realm and land, whose king is but a child, and whose princes are early at their banquets.
Through slothfulness the balks fall down, and through idle hands it raineth in at the house.
Wish the king no evil in thy thought, and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy chamber; for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she betray thy words.
Now, like as thou knowest not the way of the wind, nor how the bones are filled in a mother's womb: Even so thou knowest not the works of God, which is the workmaster of all.
Be glad then, O thou young man, in thy youth, and let thine heart be merry in thy young days; follow the ways of thine own heart, and the lust of thine eyes: but be thou sure, that God shall bring thee into judgment for all these things.
Remember thy maker in thy youth, before the days of adversity come, and or the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, "I have no pleasure in them";
Remember thy maker in thy youth, before the days of adversity come, and or the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, "I have no pleasure in them"; before the sun, the light, the moon and stars be darkened, and or the clouds turn again after the rain; read more. when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and when the strong men shall bow themselves; when the millers stand still, because they be so few, and when the sight of the windows shall wax dim; when the doors in the streets shall be shut, and when the voice of the miller shall be laid down; when men shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and when all the daughters of music shall be brought low; When men shall fear in high places, and be afraid in the streets; when the Almond tree shall be despised, the grasshopper born out, and when great poverty shall break in; when man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Before the silver lace be taken away, and or the golden band be broken; or the pot be broken at the well, and the wheel upon the cistern; Or dust be turned again unto earth from whence it came, and or the spirit return unto God, which gave it.
For the words of the wise are like pricks and nails that go through, wherewith men are kept together: for they are given of one shepherd only.
For the words of the wise are like pricks and nails that go through, wherewith men are kept together: for they are given of one shepherd only. Therefore beware, my son, that above these thou make them not many and innumerable books, nor take divers doctrines in hand, to weary thy body withal. read more. Let us hear the conclusion of all things: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that toucheth all men;
Let us hear the conclusion of all things: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that toucheth all men; For God shall judge all works and secret things, whether they be good or evil.
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the searcher of this world? Hath not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?
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;"