Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:16-17

Ecclesiastes 1:16-17. I communed with mine own heart I considered within myself in what condition I was, and what degrees of knowledge I had gained; and whether it was not my ignorance that made me unable to rectify those errors, and supply those wants of which I complain; and whether wiser men could not do it, though I could not; saying, Lo! I am come to great estate Hebrew, הגדלתי , I am grown great, namely, in wisdom, or, I have magnified, or greatly enlarged; and have gotten ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Lessons from experience (1:12-2:26)Writing as Solomon, the author now looks back and describes the experiences of a truly wise and wealthy man who searched for a meaning to life. First he tried the study of wisdom, but it led only to misery and frustration. Some things could not be made to fit any sort of consistent pattern; others, which in theory may have solved some problems, in practice did not exist (12-15). His learning and experience enabled him to tell the difference between wisdom and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:16

my heart = I myself. had = saw. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:17

madness = the opposite of wisdom, as displayed in the loss of self-control; raving with self-conceit. So elsewhere in this book. folly = infatuation. Hebrew. sakal. See note on- "wisdom", Proverbs 1:2 . vexation, &c. Not the same phrase in Hebrew as in Ecclesiastes 1:14 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:17

Ecclesiastes 1:17. And I gave my heart to know wisdom— For I applied myself to the knowledge of wisdom, and the knowledge of whatever is shining, and of science. We meet in all languages with words which are as much, or even more frequently, made use of in a metaphorical, than in a literal way; yet you can never fully and rightly understand them, unless you keep an eye to the primitive literal signification, and have a particular regard to the circumstances wherein such a word is employed. הלל... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:16

16. communed with . . . heart— (Genesis 24:45). come to great estate—Rather, "I have magnified and gotten" (literally, "added," increased), c. all . . . before me in Jerusalem—namely, the priests, judges, and two kings that preceded Solomon. His wisdom exceeded that of all before Jesus Christ, the antitypical Koheleth, or "Gatherer of men," (Luke 13:34), and "Wisdom" incarnate (Matthew 11:19 Matthew 12:42). had . . . experience—literally, "had seen" (Matthew 12:42- :). Contrast with this... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:17

17. wisdom . . . madness—that is, their effects, the works of human wisdom and folly respectively. "Madness," literally, "vaunting extravagance"; Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 7:25, &c., support English Version rather than DATHE, "splendid matters." "Folly" is read by English Version with some manuscripts, instead of the present Hebrew text, "prudence." If Hebrew be retained, understand "prudence," falsely so called (Ecclesiastes 7:25- :), "craft" (Ecclesiastes 7:25- :). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 1:12-17

A. Personal Observations 1:12-2:17There are four parts to this section that fall into two pairs. Solomon first related his investigations (in Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 and Ecclesiastes 2:1-11), and then gave his evaluations of each of these experiments (in Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 and Ecclesiastes 2:12-17). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

2. Solomon’s evaluation of his investigation of human achievement 1:16-18To conduct his investigation of human achievements, Solomon had employed the tool of wisdom. Wisdom here does not refer to living life with God in view. It means using human intelligence as an instrument to ferret out truth and significance. However, he discovered it inadequate to turn up any truly meaningful activity. Consequently, wisdom was in this respect no better than "madness and folly" (Ecclesiastes 1:17; i.e.,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

All is Vanity1-11. The writer describes himself. He declares that all things are transitory and without result, whether they be the works or the life of man, or the natural forces of heat, air, and water. Language cannot do justice to nature’s wearisome sameness. The oblivion which overtakes all.1. Preacher] see Intro. §§ 1, 2.2. Vanity of vanities] lit.’breath of breaths’; the form of expression being a Hebrew way of indicating the superlative degree. Of all fleeting things existence is the... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:16-17

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:17

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:17

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:16

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 1:12-17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 1:16-18

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

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