Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:14-17

Wise and good men have, of old, been perplexed with this difficulty, how the prosperity of the wicked and the troubles of the righteous can be reconciled with the holiness and goodness of the God that governs the world. Concerning this Solomon here gives us his advice. I. He would not have us to be surprised at it, as though some strange thing happened, for he himself saw it in his days, Eccl. 8:14. 1. He saw just men to whom it happened according to the work of the wicked, who,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:16

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom ,.... The nature and causes of things; the wisdom of God in his providence, and the grounds and reasons of his various dispensations towards the children of men: the Targum interprets it, the wisdom of the law; and to see the business that is done upon the earth ; either the business of Providence, in dealing so unequally with the righteous and the wicked, before observed; and which is a business very afflictive and distressing for curious persons... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:16

When I applied mine heart to know wisdom - This is the reply of the wise man: "I have also considered these seeming contradictions. God governs the world; but we cannot see the reasons of his conduct, nor know why he does this, omits that, or permits a third thing. We may study night and day, and deprive ourselves of rest and sleep, but we shall never fathom the depths that are in the Divine government; but all is right and just. This is the state of probation; and in it neither can the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:16

Ec 8:16-9:10.—Section 7 (the division in the theme caused by the introduction of a new chapter is misleading). Man's wisdom is incapable of explaining the course of God's providential government; death awaits all without any exception, whatever be their condition or actions. These two considerations conduce to the old conclusion, that man had best enjoy life, only being careful to use it energetically and well. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

No mortal wisdom, combined with the closest observation and thought, can fathom the mysteries of God's moral government. Esther 8:16 When I applied mine heart ( Ecclesiastes 1:13 ). The answering member of the sentence is in Esther 8:17 , the last clause of the present verse being parenthetical. To know wisdom . This was his first study (see on Ecclesiastes 1:16 ). He endeavored to acquire wisdom which might enable him to investigate God's doings. His second study was to see... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

These verses supplement Ecclesiastes 8:15 with the reflection that the man who goes beyond that limited sphere within which he can labor and be contented, and investigates the whole work of God, will find that his finite intelligence cannot grasp it.Ecclesiastes 8:16Business - Or, “travail” Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:10. The sleeplessness noted probably refers to the writer himself. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:16

Ecclesiastes 8:16. When I applied my heart to know wisdom He seems to be here assigning the reason of that judgment which he had now passed, (Ecclesiastes 8:15,) which reason is, that he had diligently studied wherein man’s wisdom consists, and had observed the restlessness of men’s minds and bodies in other courses; and to see the business To observe men’s various designs and employments, and their unwearied labours about worldly things. For there is that neither day nor night seeth... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Compromise, despair and joy (8:1-17)Wisdom helps people see the underlying meaning of things and teaches them that to act with pleasantness is better than to act with harshness (8:1). If, for example, people work in the king’s palace, they will do what the king says, partly because they have sworn before God to be obedient and partly because they will be punished if they disobey. But if they find the king’s command unreasonable, wisdom will show them a way out. They will wait for a suitable... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 8:16

business = travail. for also there is, &c. = how that one doth not see sleep with his eyes by day or by night. Figure of speech Catachresis ( App-6 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:16

THE INCOMPETENCE OF EVERY MAN TO FIND OUT THE UNSEARCHABLE WAYS OF GOD[30]"When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes), then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea, moreover, though a wise man seek to know it, yet shall he not be able to find... read more

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