Eclesiastés 7:15-16 RVA

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

Solomon, in these verses, recommends wisdom to us as the best antidote against those distempers of mind which we are liable to, by reason of the vanity and vexation of spirit that there are in the things of this world. Here are some of the praises and the precepts of wisdom. I. The praises of wisdom. Many things are here said in its commendation, to engage us to get and retain wisdom. 1. Wisdom is necessary to the right managing and improving of our worldly possessions: Wisdom is good with an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity ,.... Or, "all these things" F21 את כל "illa omnia", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Tigurine version, Gejerus; "omnia haec", Mercerus; "universa haec", Rambachius. . What goes before and follows after, the various changes men are subject unto, both good and bad; these he had made his observations upon, throughout the course of his life, which had been a vain one, as every man's is, full of evil and trouble; see Ecclesiastes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:16

Be not righteous over much ,.... This is not meant of true and real righteousness, even moral righteousness, a man cannot be too holy or too righteous; but of a show and ostentation of righteousness, and of such who would be thought to be more righteous and holy than others, and therefore despise those who, as they imagine, do not come up to them; and are very rigid and censorious in their judgment of others, and very severe in their reproofs of them; and, that they may appear very righteous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:15

There is a just man that perisheth - This is another objection as if he had said, "I also have had considerable experience; and I have not discovered any marked approbation of the conduct of the righteous, or disapprobation of that of the wicked. On the contrary, I have seen a righteous man perish, while employed in the work of righteousness; and a wicked man prosperous, and even exalted, while living wickedly. The former is indeed a victim to his righteousness, while the life and prosperity... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:16

Why shouldest thou destroy thyself? - תשומם tishshomem , make thyself desolate, so that thou shalt be obliged to stand alone; neither make thyself over-wise, תתחכם tithchaccam , do not pretend to abundance of wisdom. Why shouldest thou be so singular? In other words, and in modern language, "There is no need of all this watching, fasting, praying, self-denial, etc., you carry things to extremes. Why should you wish to be reputed singular and precise?" To this the man of God answers: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15

All things have I seen in the days of my vanity . Koheleth gives his own experience of an anomalous condition which often obtains in human affairs. "All," being here defined by the article, must refer to the cases which he has mentioned or proceeds to mention. "The days of vanity" mean merely "fleeting, vain days" (comp. Ecclesiastes 6:12 ). The expression denotes the writer's view of the emptiness and transitoriness of life ( Ecclesiastes 1:2 ), and it may also have special reference to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

Section 3. Warnings against excesses , and praise of the golden mean , which is practical wisdom and the art of living happily. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:16

Be not righteous over much . The exhortation has been variously interpreted to warn against too scrupulous observance of ritual and ceremonial religion, or the mistaken piety which neglects all mundane affairs, or the Pharisaical spirit which is bitter in condemning others who fall short of one's own standard. Cox will have it that the advice signifies that a prudent man will not be very righteous, since he will gain nothing by it, nor very wicked, as he will certainly shorten his life by... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:15-17

The days of my vanity - This does not imply that those days of vanity were ended (see Ecclesiastes 1:12 note).The meaning may be best explained by a paraphrase. Solomon states how the wise man should regard the “crooked Ecclesiastes 7:13 work of God” when it bears upon him. He says in effect, “Do not think that thou couldest alter the two instances (described in Ecclesiastes 7:15) of such crooked work so as to make it straight, that thou art more righteous or more wise than He is Who ordained... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 7:15

Ecclesiastes 7:15. All things have I seen All sort’s of events, both such as have been already mentioned, and such as I am about to declare. In the days of my vanity Since I have come into this vain life. A just man perisheth in his righteousness Notwithstanding his righteousness; whom his righteousness does not deliver in common calamities, or, for his righteousness, which exposes him to the envy, anger, or hatred of wicked men. And a wicked man prolongeth his life, &c. Not... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:11-22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 7:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 7:15-17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 7:15

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