The king himself is served by the field - Rather, the king is subject to the field, i. e., is dependent on its cultivation. The higher ranks, if they oppress the lower, lose thereby their own means of subsistence. read more
Ecclesiastes 5:8. If thou seest the oppression: &c. Here is an account of another vanity, and a sovereign antidote against it. Marvel not As if it were inconsistent with God’s wisdom and justice to suffer such disorders. For he that is higher than the highest The most high God, who is infinitely above the greatest of men. Regardeth Not like an idle spectator, but a judge, who diligently observes, and will effectually punish them. And there be higher than they Namely, God; it... read more
Ecclesiastes 5:9. The profit of the earth is for all The fruits of the earth are necessary and beneficial to all men. The wise man, after some interruption, returns to his former subject, the vanity of riches; one evidence whereof he mentions in this verse, that the poor labourer enjoys the fruits of the earth as well as the greatest monarch, and that the richest man in the world depends as much upon them as the poorest. The king himself is served by the field Is supported by the fruits... read more
Advice about money (5:8-6:12)Greed for money is a common social evil and the cause of much suffering. Because of such greed, government officials exploit poor farmers. Each official makes sure he takes as much money as he can, so that after he has passed some of it on to those above him who protect him, he has enough left for himself. As for the farmers, besides losing their profits to corrupt officials, they must also give some of their harvest as a tax to the king (8-9).Prosperity does not... read more
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. read more
is = "it [is]. " for all = [consists] in the whole, i.e. not confined to one day. read more
THE HIERARCHY OF OPPRESSION"If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.""The Hebrew text of Ecclesiastes 5:9 has been damaged; and the translation is little more than a guess at what might have been meant."[6] As the verses stand, they appear to... read more
Ecclesiastes 5:8. Marvel not at the matter— Marvel not at such a dispensation of Providence. Desvoeux. read more
Ecclesiastes 5:9. The king himself, &c.— The king is served on account of the field. Desvoeux. Houbigant renders the verse, And when these things are so, it is advantageous for the land that there be a king who may destroy the oppressor of the province. In this and the foregoing verse is contained the third admonition. Let no one look upon the injustices which men in power are guilty of, to the prejudice of the poor, as a disparagement of Providence; for one who is above—not the governors... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:8
Matter - Rather, purpose (as in the margin, and Ecclesiastes 3:1), referring either to the will of God or to the edict of an oppressive ruler.For he ... they - literally, for high watches over high and the highest over them, i. e., the king in the capital watches over the judge or governor in the province, and God over both. This seems more in harmony with the preceding verses, and more agreeable to the scope of this passage than to understand the passage only of earthly rulers. read more