Bible Commentaries
Ecclesiastes 7

Introduction

Overview

Ecclesiastes 7:1, Remedies against vanity are, a good name; Ecclesiastes 7:2, mortification; Ecclesiastes 7:7, patience; Ecclesiastes 7:11, wisdom; Ecclesiastes 7:23, The difficulty of wisdom.

Verse 1

name: Proverbs 15:30, Proverbs 22:1, Isaiah 56:5, Luke 10:20, Hebrews 11:2, Hebrews 11:39

precious: Ecclesiastes 10:1, Psalms 133:2, Proverbs 27:9, Song of Solomon 1:3, Song of Solomon 4:10, John 13:2

the day: Ecclesiastes 4:2, Job 3:17, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-23, Revelation 14:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:7 - General Ruth 3:14 - Let it not Nehemiah 6:13 - and that they Jonah 4:3 - for

Verse 2

better: Genesis 48:1-22, Genesis 49:2-33, Genesis 50:15-17, Job 1:4, Job 1:5, Isaiah 5:11, Isaiah 5:12, Isaiah 22:12-14, Amos 6:3-6, Matthew 5:4, Matthew 14:6-12, 1 Peter 4:3, 1 Peter 4:4

that: Numbers 23:10, Deuteronomy 32:29, Romans 6:21, Romans 6:22, Philippians 3:19, Hebrews 9:27

living: Deuteronomy 32:46, Isaiah 47:7, Haggai 1:5, *marg. Malachi 2:2

Reciprocal: Esther 1:10 - the heart Ecclesiastes 2:2 - It is Ecclesiastes 9:5 - the living Ecclesiastes 10:19 - feast Jeremiah 12:11 - layeth Jeremiah 16:8 - General Luke 6:21 - ye that weep John 11:19 - to comfort James 4:9 - afflicted 1 Peter 4:7 - the end

Verse 3

Sorrow: or, Anger

is better: Psalms 119:67, Psalms 119:71, Psalms 126:5, Psalms 126:6, Jeremiah 31:8, Jeremiah 31:9, Jeremiah 31:15-20, Jeremiah 50:4, Jeremiah 50:5, Daniel 9:3-19, Daniel 10:2, Daniel 10:3, Daniel 10:19, Zechariah 12:10-14, Luke 6:21, Luke 6:25, John 16:20-22, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, James 4:8-10

by: Romans 5:3, Romans 5:4, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:10, Hebrews 12:11, James 1:2-4

Verse 4

heart: Nehemiah 2:2-5, Isaiah 53:3, Isaiah 53:4, Matthew 8:14-16, Mark 5:38-43, Luke 7:12, Luke 7:13, John 11:31-35

the heart: 1 Samuel 25:36, 1 Samuel 30:16, 2 Samuel 13:28, 1 Kings 20:16, Isaiah 21:4, Jeremiah 51:39, Jeremiah 51:57, Daniel 5:1-4, Daniel 5:30, Hosea 7:5, Nahum 1:10, Mark 6:21-29

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 1:41 - as they

Verse 5

better: Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 9:8, Proverbs 13:13, Proverbs 15:31, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 27:6, Revelation 3:19

the song: Psalms 69:12

Reciprocal: Proverbs 14:13 - General

Verse 6

as: Ecclesiastes 2:2, Psalms 58:9, Psalms 118:12, Isaiah 65:13-15, Amos 8:10, Luke 6:25, Luke 16:25, 2 Peter 2:13-17, Jude 1:12, Jude 1:13

crackling: Heb. sound

the laughter: Proverbs 29:9

Reciprocal: Proverbs 14:13 - General James 4:9 - let

Verse 7

oppression: Deuteronomy 28:33, Deuteronomy 28:34, Deuteronomy 28:65

a gift: Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, 1 Samuel 8:3, 1 Samuel 12:3, Proverbs 17:23, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 33:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 21:13 - changed 1 Samuel 21:14 - is mad Ecclesiastes 4:1 - and considered Hosea 4:11 - take

Verse 8

Better: Psalms 126:5, Psalms 126:6, Isaiah 10:24, Isaiah 10:25, Isaiah 10:28-34, Luke 16:25, James 5:11, 1 Peter 1:13

the patient: Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 28:25, Luke 21:19, Romans 2:7, Romans 2:8, Hebrews 10:36, James 5:8, 1 Peter 2:20, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:36 - all these things are against me 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made 1 Kings 21:4 - And he laid him 2 Chronicles 10:14 - My father Job 42:12 - So Proverbs 17:14 - leave Proverbs 21:24 - haughty 1 Corinthians 13:4 - vaunteth not itself 1 Timothy 3:3 - patient James 1:19 - slow to wrath

Verse 9

hasty: 1 Samuel 25:21, 1 Samuel 25:22, 2 Samuel 19:43, Esther 3:5, Esther 3:6, Proverbs 14:17, Proverbs 16:32, Jonah 4:9, Ephesians 4:26, Ephesians 4:27, James 1:19

anger: Genesis 4:5, Genesis 4:6, Genesis 4:8, Genesis 34:7, Genesis 34:8, Genesis 34:25, Genesis 34:26, Genesis 34:30, Genesis 34:31, 2 Samuel 13:22, 2 Samuel 13:28, 2 Samuel 13:32, Proverbs 26:23-26, Mark 6:19, Mark 6:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:41 - then 1 Samuel 20:32 - what hath 1 Kings 21:4 - And he laid him Esther 5:10 - refrained Job 5:2 - the foolish Job 20:2 - and for Proverbs 14:29 - but Proverbs 17:14 - leave Proverbs 19:2 - and Proverbs 21:24 - haughty Amos 1:11 - kept 1 Corinthians 13:4 - vaunteth not itself Ephesians 4:31 - wrath Titus 1:7 - not soon

Verse 10

What: Judges 6:13, Jeremiah 44:17-19

wisely: Heb. out of wisdom, Genesis 6:11, Genesis 6:12, Psalms 14:2, Psalms 14:3, Isaiah 50:1, Romans 1:22-32, Romans 3:9-19

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me 1 Samuel 25:10 - there be Ecclesiastes 1:9 - that hath

Verse 11

good with an inheritance: or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too. Ecclesiastes 9:15-18, 1 Kings 3:6-9, Luke 16:8, Luke 16:9, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

them: Ecclesiastes 11:7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:9 - to judge Job 22:2 - as he that Proverbs 8:10 - General Proverbs 14:24 - crown Proverbs 21:20 - treasure Ecclesiastes 1:3 - under Ecclesiastes 2:13 - I saw Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but

Verse 12

wisdom: Job 1:10, Job 22:21-25, Proverbs 2:7, Proverbs 2:11, Proverbs 14:20, Proverbs 18:10, Proverbs 18:11, Isaiah 33:6

a defence: Heb. a shadow, Judges 9:15, Psalms 57:1, Isaiah 30:2, Isaiah 32:2

the excellency: Deuteronomy 30:19, Deuteronomy 30:20, Deuteronomy 32:47, Proverbs 3:18, Proverbs 8:35, Proverbs 9:11, Proverbs 11:4, John 12:50, John 17:3, Philippians 3:8

Reciprocal: Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is Proverbs 4:13 - she Proverbs 8:19 - General Proverbs 10:15 - rich Proverbs 14:24 - crown Proverbs 16:16 - General Ecclesiastes 1:15 - crooked Ecclesiastes 2:13 - I saw Ecclesiastes 10:19 - but

Verse 13

Consider: Job 37:14, Psalms 8:3, Psalms 107:43, Isaiah 5:12

who: Ecclesiastes 1:15, Job 9:12, Job 11:10, Job 12:14, Job 34:29, Isaiah 14:27, Isaiah 43:13, Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 46:11, Daniel 4:35, Romans 9:15, Romans 9:19, Ephesians 1:11

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 8:6 - to every Ecclesiastes 9:11 - but Isaiah 42:16 - crooked Isaiah 45:7 - I make Peace Luke 12:26 - why

Verse 14

the day: Ecclesiastes 3:4, Deuteronomy 28:47, Psalms 30:11, Psalms 30:12, Psalms 40:3, Matthew 9:13, John 16:22, John 16:23, James 5:13

but: Deuteronomy 8:3, 1 Kings 8:47, 1 Kings 17:17, 1 Kings 17:18, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13, Job 10:1, Job 10:2, Psalms 94:12, Psalms 94:13, Psalms 119:71, Isaiah 22:12-14, Isaiah 26:11, Isaiah 42:25, Jeremiah 23:20, Micah 6:9, Haggai 1:5-7, Luke 15:17, Luke 15:18, Acts 14:22

set: Heb. made, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Hosea 2:6, Hosea 2:7

Reciprocal: Psalms 50:22 - consider Ecclesiastes 3:1 - every thing Ecclesiastes 8:6 - to every Ecclesiastes 11:8 - yet Isaiah 45:7 - I make Peace Colossians 3:2 - Set

Verse 15

have I: Ecclesiastes 2:23, Ecclesiastes 5:16, Ecclesiastes 5:17, Ecclesiastes 6:12, Genesis 47:9, Psalms 39:6

there is a just: Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ecclesiastes 8:14, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Ecclesiastes 9:2, 1 Samuel 22:18, 1 Samuel 22:19, 1 Kings 21:13, 2 Chronicles 24:21, 2 Chronicles 24:22, Job 9:22, Job 9:23, Matthew 23:34, Matthew 23:35, John 16:2, Acts 7:52

there is a wicked: Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 8:13, Job 21:7-15, Psalms 73:3-13, Isaiah 65:20, Jeremiah 12:1, Jeremiah 12:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:25 - that the Job 4:7 - who ever Psalms 73:4 - no Proverbs 24:30 - went Ecclesiastes 9:13 - General

Verse 16

Be not: This verse is probably the language of an ungodly man; to which Solomon answers, as in the following verse, "Do not multiply wickedness; do not add direct opposition to godliness, to the rest of your crimes. Why should you provoke God to destroy you before your time?" Proverbs 25:16, Matthew 6:1-7, Matthew 9:14, Matthew 15:2-9, Matthew 23:5, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 23:24, Matthew 23:29, Luke 18:12, Romans 10:2, Philippians 3:6, 1 Timothy 4:3

neither: Ecclesiastes 12:12, Genesis 3:6, Job 11:12, Job 28:28, Proverbs 23:4, Romans 11:25, Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 3:20, Colossians 2:18, Colossians 2:23, James 3:13-17

destroy thyself: Heb. be desolate, Matthew 23:38, Revelation 18:19

Reciprocal: Ecclesiastes 1:18 - For in

Verse 17

not: Jeremiah 2:33, Jeremiah 2:34, Ezekiel 8:17, Ezekiel 16:20, James 1:21

why: Genesis 38:7-10, 1 Samuel 25:38, Job 15:32, Job 15:33, Psalms 55:23, Proverbs 10:27, Acts 5:5, Acts 5:10, Acts 12:23

before thy time: Heb. not in thy time

Reciprocal: Job 22:16 - cut down Proverbs 11:3 - the perverseness Acts 16:28 - Do

Verse 18

good: Ecclesiastes 11:6, Proverbs 4:25-27, Proverbs 8:20, Luke 11:42

for: Ecclesiastes 8:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Psalms 25:12-14, Psalms 145:19, Psalms 145:20, Jeremiah 32:40, Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:50

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:12 - from my youth Nehemiah 2:20 - The God Proverbs 12:13 - but Proverbs 14:26 - fear Proverbs 29:25 - whoso Proverbs 31:30 - she Ecclesiastes 2:3 - and to lay Ecclesiastes 5:7 - but Ecclesiastes 9:2 - as is Isaiah 56:2 - layeth Acts 10:2 - one

Verse 19

Ecclesiastes 9:15-18, 2 Samuel 20:16-22, Proverbs 21:22, Proverbs 24:5, Colossians 1:9-11

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:4 - go not 2 Samuel 20:22 - in her wisdom 1 Kings 3:9 - to judge 1 Kings 3:28 - the wisdom 2 Kings 2:12 - My father 1 Chronicles 12:32 - all their Proverbs 8:14 - I have Ecclesiastes 9:16 - Wisdom Isaiah 33:6 - wisdom Daniel 1:4 - and skillful Daniel 2:23 - who hast

Verse 20

there: 1 Kings 8:46, 2 Chronicles 6:36, Job 15:14-16, Psalms 130:3, Psalms 143:2, Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, James 3:2, 1 John 1:8-10

doeth: Isaiah 64:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:9 - just Genesis 8:21 - the imagination Genesis 9:21 - and was Genesis 20:2 - said Leviticus 13:6 - wash Leviticus 13:39 - if the bright 1 Samuel 20:34 - in fierce 2 Kings 20:13 - there was nothing Job 4:17 - Shall mortal Psalms 119:96 - I have seen Isaiah 39:2 - there was Daniel 9:20 - confessing John 13:10 - needeth Acts 15:39 - the contention Romans 3:12 - there is none Romans 7:15 - what Romans 7:23 - another Galatians 2:13 - the other Galatians 3:11 - that Galatians 5:17 - the flesh Philippians 3:9 - not

Verse 21

take no heed: Heb. give not thine heart, 2 Samuel 19:19

unto: 2 Samuel 16:10, Isaiah 29:21, 1 Corinthians 13:5-7

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 24:9 - General Ecclesiastes 10:20 - thought

Verse 22

also: 1 Kings 2:44, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 18:32-35, John 8:7-9, James 3:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 3:13 - which he knoweth 1 Samuel 24:9 - General Ecclesiastes 10:20 - thought John 8:9 - being Romans 2:15 - accusing

Verse 23

I said: Genesis 3:5, 1 Kings 3:11, 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 11:1-8, Romans 1:22, 1 Corinthians 1:20

Reciprocal: Job 28:12 - General Job 28:20 - General Ecclesiastes 1:17 - I gave Ecclesiastes 7:28 - yet Ecclesiastes 8:17 - that a man

Verse 24

Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Job 11:7, Job 11:8, Job 28:12-23, Job 28:28, Psalms 36:6, Psalms 139:6, Isaiah 55:8, Isaiah 55:9, Romans 11:33, 1 Timothy 6:16

Reciprocal: Job 28:20 - General Psalms 92:5 - deep Ecclesiastes 1:8 - man Ecclesiastes 7:28 - yet Ecclesiastes 8:17 - that a man Ecclesiastes 11:5 - even

Verse 25

I applied mine heart: Heb. I and my heart compassed, Ecclesiastes 1:13-17, Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:12, Ecclesiastes 2:20

the reason: Ecclesiastes 7:27, *marg. Ecclesiastes 2:15, Ecclesiastes 3:16, Ecclesiastes 3:17, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Jeremiah 12:1, Jeremiah 12:2, 2 Peter 2:3-9, 2 Peter 3:3-9

know: Ecclesiastes 9:3, Ecclesiastes 10:13, Genesis 34:7, Joshua 7:13, 2 Samuel 13:12, Proverbs 17:12, Proverbs 26:11

Reciprocal: Proverbs 2:2 - apply Proverbs 6:32 - lacketh Proverbs 22:17 - apply Ecclesiastes 8:9 - this Ecclesiastes 8:16 - When I Mark 7:22 - foolishness 2 Peter 2:16 - the madness

Verse 26

I find: Judges 16:18-21, Proverbs 2:18, Proverbs 2:19, Proverbs 5:3-5, Proverbs 7:21-27, Proverbs 9:18, Proverbs 22:14, Proverbs 23:27, Proverbs 23:28

whoso pleaseth God: Heb. he that is good before God, Ecclesiastes 2:26

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:35 - General Genesis 38:24 - played the harlot Genesis 39:12 - caught Exodus 10:7 - snare Leviticus 15:20 - General Numbers 5:18 - the bitter water Numbers 5:27 - if she be defiled Numbers 25:1 - the people Numbers 31:16 - these caused Judges 16:8 - bound him Judges 16:19 - she made 1 Kings 21:25 - whom Jezebel 2 Kings 8:27 - the son in law 1 Chronicles 14:3 - took Nehemiah 13:26 - Did not Solomon Job 31:9 - If mine Proverbs 2:16 - deliver Proverbs 5:4 - her Proverbs 5:22 - holden Proverbs 6:24 - keep Proverbs 6:32 - lacketh Proverbs 7:27 - General Proverbs 14:27 - to

Verse 27

saith: Ecclesiastes 1:1, Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 12:8-10

counting one by one, to find out the account: or, weighing one thing after another, to find out the reason, Ecclesiastes 7:25

Reciprocal: 1 Timothy 2:7 - a preacher

Verse 28

yet: Ecclesiastes 7:23, Ecclesiastes 7:24, Isaiah 26:9

one: Job 33:23, Psalms 12:1

but: Solomon, instead of seeking one rational, virtuous woman, had collected an immense multitude, of various countries and religions, for magnificence and indulgence; among whom, as might have been expected, he had not found one who was thoroughly faithful, upright, and pious. He here uses the language of a penitent, warning others of the errors into which he had been led; and not that of a wasphish satirist, lashing indiscriminately one half of the human species. 1 Kings 11:1-3

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:3 - seven hundred Proverbs 20:6 - but Proverbs 31:10 - can

Verse 29

God: Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 5:1

they: The descendants of Adam have sought out an immense number of inventions, in order to find happiness in the world, without God, which have only proved so many variations of impiety and iniquity. Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:7, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 6:6, Genesis 6:11, Genesis 6:12, Genesis 11:4-6, Psalms 99:8, Psalms 106:29, Psalms 106:39, Jeremiah 2:12, Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 4:22, Ezekiel 22:6-13, Mark 7:8, Mark 7:9, Acts 7:40-43, Romans 1:21-32, Romans 3:9-19, Ephesians 2:2, Ephesians 2:3, Titus 3:3

Reciprocal: Job 15:14 - is man Psalms 14:3 - all gone Psalms 33:15 - fashioneth Proverbs 19:21 - many Proverbs 21:8 - way Ecclesiastes 3:11 - hath made Ezekiel 28:15 - till iniquity Romans 1:30 - inventors Romans 3:12 - They are