Ecclesiastes 7:14

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:14

14. consider—resumed from :-. "Consider," that is, regard it as "the work of God"; for "God has made (Hebrew, for 'set') this (adversity) also as well as the other (prosperity)." "Adversity" is one of the things which "God has made crooked," and which man cannot "make straight." He ought therefore to be "patient" (Ecclesiastes 7:8). after him—equivalent to "that man may not find anything (to blame) after God" (that is, after "considering God's work," Ecclesiastes 7:8- :). Vulgate and Syriac,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

1. Adversity and prosperity 7:1-14He began by exposing our ignorance of the significance of adversity and prosperity (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14; cf. Job). Both of these conditions, he noted, can have good and bad effects-depending on how a person responds to them. Prosperity is not always or necessarily good (cf. Ecclesiastes 6:1-12), and adversity, or affliction, is not always or necessarily evil (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:1-15). Actually, adversity is often a greater good than prosperity. [Note: Kaiser,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 7:1-17

B. God’s Inscrutable Plan chs. 7-8Solomon proceeded in this section to focus on the comprehensive plan of God: His decree. His point was that we cannot fathom it completely. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

We cannot understand why God uses adversity and prosperity as He does. A man or woman of faith trusts God nonetheless (Romans 8:28). Therefore, we should enjoy the times of prosperity, and remember in the times of adversity that God is in control."God balances our lives by giving us enough blessings to keep us happy and enough burdens to keep us humble." [Note: Ibid., p. 515.] The phrase "man cannot discover" or the equivalent is another structural marker in Ecclesiastes that indicates the end... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Practical Aphorisms1-6. Things useful to remember in life. The writer has just warned as that we cannot rely on either the present or the future. We can, however, guide ourselves in the conduct of life by bearing in mind useful truths. These he now proceeds to give.1. Precious ointment] This was a much-prized luxury in the East (cp. Psalms 45:8; Amos 6:6; Matthew 26:7; Luke 7:37), but to be held in esteem is still better. There is a play on words in the Heb. (Shem, ’a name,’ and Shemen,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 7:14

(14) Ecclus. 14:14, 33. The first clause may be more closely rendered, “In the good day be of good cheer.” As a consolation in time of adversity the thought Job 2:10 is offered. The last clause connects itself with the first, the idea being that of Ecclesiastes 3:22; “take the present enjoyment which God gives, seeing that man cannot tell what shall be after him.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Ecclesiastes 7:2 We are apt to blame society for being constrained and artificial, but its conventionalities are only the result of the limitations of man's own nature. How much, for instance, of what is called 'reserve' belongs to this life, and passes away with its waning, and the waxing of the new life! We can say to the dying, and hear from them things that, in the fullness of health and vigour, could not be imparted without violence to some inward instinct. And this is one reason, among... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

; Ecclesiastes 8:1-17The Quest in the Golden Mean.Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Ecclesiastes 8:1-15There be many that say, "Who will show us any gold?" mistaking gold for their god or good. For though there can be few in any age to whom great wealth is possible, there are many who crave it and believe that to have it is to possess the supreme felicity. It is not only the rich who "trust in riches." As a rule, perhaps, they trust in them less than the poor, since they have tried them, and know pretty... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

PART II. CHAPTERS 7-12 1. The Good Advice of the Natural Man, Discouragement and Failure CHAPTER 7 1. The better things (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 ) 2. The anomalies (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 ) 3. The strength of wisdom, yet none perfect (Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 ) 4. The worst thing he found (Ecclesiastes 7:23-29 ) Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 . All had been tested by the royal searcher; all was found out to be vanity and vexation of spirit. Darkness, discouragement, uncertainty and despair were the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:14

7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity {i} consider: God also hath appointed the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find {k} nothing after him.(i) Consider why God sends it and what may comfort you.(k) That man should be able to control nothing in his works. read more

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