Ecclesiastes
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Ecclesiastes 1
Ecclesiastes 1
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Commentary · verse 1
2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Commentary · verse 2
The Preacher (Solomon) said "all" was vain. Vain meant "unprofitable." Realize, Solomon began this book with a conclusion. This was his "thesis statement." The rest of this book was him comparatively proving his point. He was not considering another possibility. In that way, the rest of this book read like the Book of Job before Elihu spoke...
3What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?
3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
Commentary · verse 3
Solomon asked a rhetorical question. He already stated that all was vain so in his mind, this included any work a man did "under the sun." He's basically asking, "what's the point of all this work?"
4One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.
4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
Commentary · verse 4
He saw the earth as more long term than man. A focus on the physical.
5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.
6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
Commentary · verses 5-7
He's saying that even the wind and the rivers really don't make progress. The wind blows in circles (circuits) and the rivers flow water that just returns back to the river to flow again.
8All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Commentary · verse 8
Eye and ear were not satisfied meant he was making the physical a cause, his focus.
9That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Commentary · verse 9
Again, he was focused on the physical: "under the sun." Here's a summary of verses 4-8, stating that really, history is merely repeating itself. He wasn't perceiving anything "new" and therefore concluded that everything was "vain."
10Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
11There is no remembrance of the former generations; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter generations that are to come, among those that shall come after.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
Commentary · verses 10-11
He also stated that he doesn't remember what happened long ago, and in the future, those people won't remember what was happening now.
12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Commentary · verses 12-14
He stated he had seen all and considered all. This was "pride" (the first listed cause of judgment). He was not willing to consider something new, something he had not already seen.
15That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to 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.
17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Commentary · verses 15-18
Solomon stated that understanding was pointless and unprofitable. This was "mental idleness": the third listed cause of judgment (idleness of time). The first chapter showed Solomon had two of the four causes of judgment.
The word "Preacher" meant "collector (of sentences), public speaker, speaker in an assembly."