are best regarded as a parenthesis explanatory of Ecclesiastes 3:16-18 , elucidating man's impotence in the presence of the anomalies of life. The conclusion in Ecclesiastes 3:22 is connected with Ecclesiastes 3:16-18 . We must acknowledge that there are disorders in the world which we cannot remedy, and which God allows in order to demonstrate our powerlessness; therefore the wisest course is to make the best of present cir-circumstances. read more
All go unto one place . All, men and brutes, are buried in the earth ( Ecclesiastes 12:7 ). The author is not thinking of Sheol, the abode of departed spirits, but merely regarding earth as the universal tomb of all creatures. Plumptre quotes Lueretius, 'De Rer. Nat .,' 5.260— "Omniparens eadem rerum commune sepulchrum." "The mother and the sepulcher of all." Thus Bailey, 'Festus'— "The course of nature seems a course of death; The prize of life's brief race, to cease to... read more
That great anomaly in the moral government of this world, the seemingly unequal distribution of rewards and punishments, will be rectified by God, who has future times and events under His control Ecclesiastes 3:16-17. As for people, they are placed by God, who is their teacher, in a humble condition, even on a level with inferior animals, by death, that great instance of their subjection to vanity Ecclesiastes 3:18-19, which reduces to its original form all that was made of the dust of the... read more
Ecclesiastes 3:18. I said in my heart, &c. And I further considered concerning their condition in this present world. That God might manifest them God suffers these disorders among men, that he might discover men to themselves, and show what strange creatures they are, and what vile hearts they have. That they are beasts That although God made them men, yet they have made themselves beasts by their brutish practices, and that, considered only with respect to the present life, they... read more
Ecclesiastes 3:19. For that which befalleth, &c. They are subject to the same diseases, pains, and casualties. So dieth the other As certainly, and no less painfully. They have all one breath One breath of life, which is in their nostrils; by which the beasts perform the same animal functions. For he speaks not here of man’s rational and immortal spirit, nor of the future life. So that a man hath no pre-eminence, &c. In respect of the present life. read more
Ecclesiastes 3:20-21. All go unto one place To the earth, as it is expressed Ecclesiastes 3:21, out of which they were both taken. All turn to dust again All their bodies, as it is explained Ecclesiastes 12:7. Who knoweth the spirit of a man True it is, there is a difference, which is known by good men, but the generality of mankind never mind it; their hearts are wholly set on present and sensible things, and take no thought for the things of the future and invisible world. read more
Injustice in the world (3:16-4:3)Having acknowledged God’s order in human events, the writer now observes that the ‘order’ is, at times, not very orderly. For example, injustice abounds (16). Maybe, thinks the writer, God will put everything right in a judgment day in the afterlife (17). On the other hand, thinks he, there may not be an afterlife. He observes that people die the same as animals, as if God is trying to show that they are no different from the beasts. Also, he asks, can it be... read more
God. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:11 , and note on Ecclesiastes 1:11 . God might manifest them = God hath chosen them to show them that even they are beasts. beasts = living creatures. As opposed to man = mammals: as opposed to creeping things = quadrupeds: as opposed to wild beasts = cattle. read more
that which befalleth. See note on "event", Ecclesiastes 2:14 ; and App-76 . one thing: i.e. death. one breath = one spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Compare Genesis 2:7 with Genesis 1:20 , Genesis 1:21 , Genesis 1:24 , Genesis 1:30 ; and App-13 . no preeminence, &c. Compare Psalms 49:12 , Psalms 49:20 ; Psalms 146:4 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:19
For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts ; literally, chance are the sons of men , and chance are beasts (see on Ecclesiastes 2:14 ); Septuagint, " Yea , and to them cometh the event ( συνάντηημα ) of the sons of men, and the event of the beast ." Koheleth explains in what respect man is on a level with the brute creation. Neither are able to rise superior to the law that controls their natural life. So Solon says to Croesus (Herod; 1:32), πᾶν ἐστι... read more