divers vanities. Plural of emphasis = great vanity: i.e. in many dreams and many words, also [there is] great vanity: referring to Ecclesiastes 5:3 above.
poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14 .
province. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:8 , and App-76 .
matter. Hebrew purpose or desire, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the effect of it. Hebrew. hephez, one of the words supposed to be later Hebrew. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 .
He That is higher, &c. = the high One above the high one regardeth, even the Most High is over them.
nor he that loveth, &c. = And who is [ever] content with abundance without increase (capital without interest). No socialism or "corruption" of text here.
Verse 1
God. Hebrew. Elohim. (with Art) = the [true] God, or the Deity. App-4 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .
hear = obey.
fools = fat, inert. Hebrew kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
Verse 2
thing = word.
upon earth. Same idea as "under the sun". See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .
Verse 4
vowest a vow = makest a solemn vow. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ).
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
pleasure. See note on "purpose", Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 .
Verse 5
Better. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:24 .
Verse 6
to cause, &c. : by vows made concerning the flesh, such as eating and drinking, marrying, &c.
angel = messenger. Compare Malachi 2:7 .
error. Hebrew. shagag. App-44 .
wherefore . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .
voice. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the vain words uttered by it; referring to Ecclesiastes 5:1 .
destroy = confiscate.
work. Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulg, read "works" (plural)
Verse 7
divers vanities. Plural of emphasis = great vanity: i.e. in many dreams and many words, also [there is] great vanity: referring to Ecclesiastes 5:3 above.
Verse 8
poor = needy, in want. Hebrew. rush, as in Ecclesiastes 4:14 .
province. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:8 , and App-76 .
matter. Hebrew purpose or desire, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the effect of it. Hebrew. hephez, one of the words supposed to be later Hebrew. See note on Ecclesiastes 3:1 , and App-76 .
He That is higher, &c. = the high One above the high one regardeth, even the Most High is over them.
Verse 9
is = "it [is]. "
for all = [consists] in the whole, i.e. not confined to one day.
Verse 10
nor he that loveth, &c. = And who is [ever] content with abundance without increase (capital without interest). No socialism or "corruption" of text here.
Verse 11
good = advantage.
owners. Plural of emphasis.
their = his.
Verse 12
to sleep = to sleep soundly.
Verse 13
under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3 .
Verse 14
travail = fatigue from toil. See note on Ecclesiastes 2:23 , and Ecclesiastes 4:4 .
Verse 15
As = According as. Compare Job 1:21 .Psalms 49:17 , Psalms 49:1 .
Verse 16
profit = advantage.
laboured = toiled.
wind Hebrew. ruach .
Verse 18
comely = well.
Verse 19
man . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . See note on Ecclesiastes 1:13 .
the gift = a gift.
Verse 20
answereth = causeth [things] to respond, as in Hosea 2:21 , Hosea 2:22 . See note on Ecclesiastes 10:19 .