Then he becomes a living soul. "Whedon's Commentary on the Bible". Here again we find thoughts that are identifiable with Solomon, as in Proverbs 15:16-17; 17:1 and in Proverbs 16:8: ANOTHER WORD ON THE WORTHLESSNESS OF LABOR. BibliographyTorrey, R. A. 4:9-12 This paragraph speaks of the advantage of companionship. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". (Calmet). "E.W. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Every right work - Rather, every success in work. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. BibliographyBeza, Theodore. Among the examples in proof of the imperfection and inconstancy of earthly happiness which the Preacher communicates in the above section from the rich treasures of his own experience we find the relation of an ascending grade from lower to higher and more brilliant conditions of happiness. Is it not as accurate a delineation of our life as it could be of any ancient form of life? In the latter signification, namely, "advantage, gain," it occurs in Ecclesiastes 5:10; in the former we find it used in Ecclesiastes 2:21, in conjunction with wisdom and knowledge: "a man whose work is in. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dun/ecclesiastes-4.html. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. "[3] This rendition carries that implication: "I saw that all a man's toil and skill is expended through the desire to surpass his neighbor; this, too, is an empty thing and a clutching at the wind."[4]. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". BibliographyPoole, Matthew, "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". This too is futile--a miserable task. It is of course better to be envied than pitied, but still envy with all the hostile and pernicious acts flowing therefrom, and which frequently bring about the ruin of their object, is a great evil, and it is no small consolation for a man who, like Israel at the time, finds himself in an unenviable position, to know that he is not exposed to this torment. All this expenditure of strength and art has covetousness and envy, with which one seeks to surpass another, as its poisoned sting. The illustration hereby induced of the value of closer social connection of men and harmonious co-operation of their powers to one end (9–12) leads to the closing reflection; this is devoted to the distress and disaster of the highest circles of human society, acknowledging the fate even of the most favoured pets of fortune, such as the occupants of princely or kingly thrones, to be uncertain and liable to a reverse, and thus showing that. 4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. and to this sense Jarchi; compare with this, Philemon 1:15. Other people become famous and they have many friends. Devotion to Business springs from Jealous Competition: (a) Let us glance once more at the several symptoms we have already heard him discuss, and consider whether or not they accord with the results of our own observation and experience, is it true, then-or, rather, is it not true-that our devotion to business is becoming excessive and exhausting, and that this devotion springs mainly from our jealous rivalry and competition with each other? Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". BibliographyHengstenberg, Ernst. "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". So the tenth commandment. Now self is not the only issue. 7 ¶ Then I returned, and I saw a vanity under the sun. It is possible that "rest" here represents Eccl. 1 Unusual skill, talent and success seem only to expose a man to envy and ill will from his neighbor. Joseph Benson's Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfb/ecclesiastes-4.html. Derived from כשר, "rectus fuit," it is used partly of "skill, ability in action," and partly of the "fortunate results "thereof. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Ecclésiaste 4.9. Church Pulpit Commentary. Instead, they are cruel. It does not seem to matter what we do. "is done is the result of rivalry"-"that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy" (Tay). Verses 4-6. Go to. 11 De même, si deux couchent ensemble, ils auront chaud; mais celui qui est seul, comment aura-t-il chaud? That for this a man is envied of his neighbour. V. The sentence against the vanity of all earthly things necessarily extends even to the greatest and most powerful of earth (13–16). "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". This also is vanity and a striving after wind. This also is a vanity and a striving after wind. From the sad lot of victims innocently suffering from tyrannical persecution and oppression (1–3), the description proceeds directly to the more lucky but not more innocent condition of persons consumed with envy, dissatisfaction, and jealousy, and who with toilsome efforts chase after the treasures of this earth. This constitutes a part of the vain and empty system of human life. 1685. BibliographyNicoll, William R. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. Who, in consequence of this very wealth, run the risk of falling into a helpless, joyless, and isolated condition, destitute of friends and adherents (7, 8). The word כשרין, which occurs only in Koheleth, is rendered by the LXX. Even in friendly rivalry this may play a larger part than we think----for we can bear to be outclassed for some of the time and by some people, but not too regularly or too profoundly" (Kidner p. 45). 1865-1868. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". New International Version Update. This is also true of moral works; which are right, when done from a right principle, from love to God, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; and which when done, and ever so well done, draw upon a man the envy of the wicked, as may be observed in the case of Cain and Abel, 1 John 3:12; though some understand this, not passively, of the envy which is brought upon a man, and he endures, for the sake of the good he excels in; but actively, of the spirit of emulation with which he does it; though the work he does, as to the matter of it, is right; yet the manner of doing it, and the spirit with which he does it, are wrong; he does not do it with any good affection to the thing itself, nor with any good design, only from a spirit of emulation to outdo his neighbour: so the Targum paraphrases it, "this is the emulation that a man emulates his neighbour, to do as he; if he emulates him to do good, the heavenly Word does good to him; but if he emulates him to do evil, the heavenly Word does evil to him;'. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Ecclesiastes 1:4 (NAS95S) The Hebrew word that is translated as “forever” is HOLAM. Every right work; all the worthy designs and complete works of wise and virtuous men. "The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (Proverbs 6:10). Copyright StatementThese files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. Ecclesiastes 6:4 "For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. " The Graec. 2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ecclesiastes 4:1) and "envy," so far is it from constituting the chief good. From the sad lot of victims innocently suffering from tyrannical persecution and oppression, II. “It 3 will not leave even a root or branch. vexation, &c. = feeding on wind. 5 Fools fold their hands. ECCLES 4:6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. "Mark Dunagan Commentaries on the Bible". In addition, how many of us have inherently linked our personal worth with our economic worth? - Secondly, success meets with envy, and produces no lasting good to the worker; yet, however unsatisfactory the result, man must continue to labor, as idleness is ruin. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/ecclesiastes-4.html. The matter of complaint is that the skill developed in labour has no higher prerogative. See Proverbs 27:4. Who doesn’t love a Cinderella story? "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/ecclesiastes-4.html. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. 9 Deux valent mieux qu'un, parce qu'ils retirent un bon salaire de leur travail. ", "For this a man is envied of his neighbor" (Ecclesiastes 4:4). Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. Eccl. Which naturally rob labor and talent of lasting enjoyment. Venet., by rendering here and at Ecclesiastes 2:24 כּשׁרון , by καθαρότης , betrays himself as a Jew. With כּי , quod , that which forms the pred. Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter. "And I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/ecclesiastes-4.html. Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. It so, then the workaholic and the sluggard are contrasted. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament". 5 The a fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. BibliographyTrapp, John. The garment of righteousness, parti-coloured with all variety of graces, is a great eyesore to the wicked, and makes the saints maligned. Read verse in Riveduta 1927 (Italian) "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". But instead thereof, so it is. 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. "[5] Another view of the fool mentioned here is that he represents the envious man. 15:16,17; 16:8) or quote. 4. When wilt thou arise out of sleep? 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This is another piece of life’s vanity; that, as greater men will lie heavy upon you and oppress you, so meaner men will be envying at you and oppose you: as Cain did Abel, Saul’s courtiers did David; the peers of Persia, Daniel; the Scribes and Pharisees, our Saviour. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. BibliographyClarke, Adam. I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. We buy a new car, home, etc…, only to find someone trying to find fault with our choice. 4:8 used in Eccl. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.". 1876. 1859. 1905. BibliographyHaydock, George Leo. the min in mere'ehu is as in amatz min , Psalms 18:18, and the like - the same as the compar. BibliographyBarnes, Albert. The root meaning of the word is “thus pointing to what is hidden in the distant future or in the distant past.”[1] Therefore, in some passages the word refers to something in the distant past or future. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Even in friendly rivalry this may play a larger part than we think----for we can bear to be outclassed for some of the time and by some people, but not too regularly or too profoundly", Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. "Then I saw all labor, and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor.