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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

The preacher here, for a further proof of the vanity of the world, and to convince us that all our works are in the hand of God, and not in our 4563 own hand, shows the uncertainty and contingency of future events, and how often they contradict the prospects we have of them. He had exhorted us (Eccl. 9:10) to do what we have to do with all our might; but here he reminds us that, when we have done all, we must leave the issue with God, and not be confident of the success. I. We are often... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:11

I returned, and saw under the sun ,.... The wise man returned to his former subject, concerning the same events happening to all sorts of persons, righteous and wicked, wise and unwise, Ecclesiastes 10:1 ; and enlarged upon it in his mind; and took notice of various things done under the sun, and made the following remarks: and whereas he had exhorted men to use all their might in doing the duties of their calling while they lived here; he suggests, that they should not depend upon, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:12

For man also knoweth not his time ,.... Though it is fixed and settled by the Lord, yet times and seasons are kept in his own power, and not known by men; not the time of his death, nor of any calamity and distress coming upon him, nor the proper season and opportunity of doing himself good, and avoiding evil; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare ; as fishes are suddenly taken in a net, unhappy for them, which is at once east over... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:11

The race is not to the swift - It is not by swiftness, nor by strength and valor, that races are gained and battles won. God causes the lame often to take the prey, the prize; and so works that the weak overthrow the strong; therefore, no man should confide in himself. All things are under the government, and at the disposal of God. But time and chance - עת eth , time or opportunity, and פגע pega , incident or occurrence: - Happeneth to them all - Every man has what may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:12

As the birds that are caught - Man acts so heedlessly, notwithstanding all his wisdom, and all his warnings, that he is often taken, as a fish is, by the baited hook; and the bird by the baited snare. And thus, an evil time, like the snare, gin, trap, hook, falleth suddenly upon them; and they are taken in a moment, and have no means of escaping. How frequently do we see these comparisons illustrated! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:7-12

These verses give the application of the facts just mentioned. The inscrutability of the moral government of the world, the uncertainty of life, the condition of the dead, lead to the conclusion again that one should use one's life to the best advantage; and Koheleth repeats his caution concerning the issues and duration of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:11

He reverts to the sentiment of Ecclesiastes 9:1 , that we cannot calculate on the issues of life. Work as we may and must and ought, the results are uncertain and beyond our control. This he shows by his own personal experience. I returned, and saw under the sun. The expression here does not indicate a new departure, but merely a repetition and confirmation of a previous thought—the dependence and conditionality of man. It implies, too, a correction of a possible misunderstanding of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Section 8. It is impossible to calculate upon the issues and duration of life. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:12

Man also knoweth not his time ; Vulgate, Neseit homo finem suum, understanding "his time" to mean his death-hour; but it may include any misfortune or accident. The particle gam, "also," or "even," belongs to "his time." Not only are results out of man's control ( Ecclesiastes 9:11 ), but his life is in higher hands, and he is never sure of a day. As the fishes that are taken in an evil net , etc. The suddenness and unforeseen nature of calamities that befall men are here expressed... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 9:7-12

Read these six verses connectedly, in order to arrive at the meaning of the writer; and compare Ecclesiastes 2:1-12.After the description Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 of the portionless condition of the dead, the next thought which occurs is that the man who is prosperous and active should simply enjoy his portion all through this life Ecclesiastes 9:7-10; and then Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 follows the correcting thought (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 note), introduced as usual Ecclesiastes 2:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1,... read more

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