Eclesiastés 3:18-19 NTV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:18

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:19

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 3:18

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 3:19

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:18

Ecclesiastes 3:18. That God might manifest, &c.— That I should assert God, and see that they themselves are beasts. Desvoeux. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:18

18. estate—The estate of fallen man is so ordered (these wrongs are permitted), that God might "manifest," that is, thereby prove them, and that they might themselves see their mortal frailty, like that of the beasts. sons of men—rather, "sons of Adam," a phrase used for "fallen men." The toleration of injustice until the judgment is designed to "manifest" men's characters in their fallen state, to see whether the oppressed will bear themselves aright amidst their wrongs, knowing that the time... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:19

19. Literally, "For the sons of men (Adam) are a mere chance, as also the beast is a mere chance." These words can only be the sentiments of the skeptical oppressors. God's delay in judgment gives scope for the "manifestation" of their infidelity (Ecclesiastes 8:11; Psalms 55:19; 2 Peter 3:3; 2 Peter 3:4). They are "brute beasts," morally (Ecclesiastes 3:18; Judges 1:10); and they end by maintaining that man, physically, has no pre-eminence over the beast, both alike being "fortuities."... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

The Practical Ideal. Acceptance of the Universal Scheme1-15. God is a God of order. The problem which the writer has set himself is not yet solved. He has found that wisdom, culture, pleasure, are all good, though, even if we combine them, there is still something lacking, and they will not explain the mystery of existence. In continuing to seek for a rule of life that shall lead him to the highest good, he reminds himself that God is a God of order, and wisdom lies in adapting ourselves to... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 3:19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 3:18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 3:19

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:18

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:18

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:19

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

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