Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:18

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men ,.... He thought of the condition of the children of men, their sinful and polluted state; he weighed and considered in his mind their actions, conversation, and course of life; and was concerned how it would go with them at the day of judgment on account of the same. Some render it, "I said in mine heart after the speech of the children of men" F18 על דברת בני האדם "super verbum filiorum Adam", Montanus; "verbis... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:19

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts ,.... Aben Ezra says this verse is according to the thoughts of the children of men that are not wise; but rather the wise man says what he does according to his own thoughts, and proceeds to prove the likeness and equality of men and beasts; even one thing befalleth them ; the same events belong to one as to another; the same diseases and disasters, calamities and distresses: Noah's flood carried away one as well as another; they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:20

All go unto one place ,.... The earth F23 "Magna parens terra est", Ovid. Metamorph. l. 1. Fab. 7. from whence they came; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again ; Adam's body was made of the dust of the earth, and so all his posterity, all of them; in which they agree with beasts, who are made of the dust also; and, when they die, return to it; see Genesis 2:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward ?.... There is indeed a difference between a man and a beast; though they have one breath, they have not one spirit or soul; man has a rational and immortal soul, which, when he dies, goes upwards to God that gave it; to be judged by him, and disposed of by him, in its proper apartment, until the day of the resurrection of the body; and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth ? when the beast dies, its spirit goes down to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:22

Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works ,.... The Targum is, "in his good works"; not as justifying him before God, but as vindicating him before men, from unjust censures and charges: rather the sense is, that this is the wise man's conclusion, and this his sentiment, upon the whole; that there is nothing better for a man, than cheerfully to enjoy the fruit of his labours; to eat and drink in moderation, freely, joyfully, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose - Two general remarks may be made on the first eight verses of this chapter. God by his providence governs the world, and has determined particular things and operations to particular times. In those times such things may be done with propriety and success; but if we neglect the appointed seasons, we sin against this providence, and become the authors of our own distresses. God has given to man that portion of duration called... read more

Adam Clarke

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 3:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3:5

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