Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 5

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 .