Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Exposition

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might . In accordance with what has been already said, and to combat the idea that, as man cannot control his fate, he should take no pains to work his work, but fold his hands in resigned inaction, Koheleth urges him not to despair, but to do his part manfully as long as life is given, and with all the energies of his soul carry out the purpose of his being. The Septuagint gives, "All things whatsoever thy hand shall find to do, do it as thy power is ( ὡς ἡ δύναμίς σου );" Vulgate, Quodcumque facere potest manus tua, instanter operate . The expression at the commencement may be illustrated by Le Ecclesiastes 12:8 ; 25:28; 9:33 , where it implies ability to carry out some intention, and in some passages is thus rendered, "is able," etc. (comp. Proverbs 3:27 ). It is therefore erroneous to render it in this place, "Whatever by chance cometh to hand;" or "Let might be right." Rather it is a call to work as the prelude and accompaniment of enjoyment, anticipating St. Paul's maxim ( 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ), "If any would not work, neither should he eat." Ginsburg's interpretation is dishonoring to the Preacher and foreign to his real sentiments, "Have recourse to every source of voluptuous gratification, while thou art in thy strength . " The true meaning of the verse is confirmed by such references as John 9:4 , "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work;" 2 Corinthians 6:2 , "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation;" Galatians 6:10 , "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men." For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave. The departed have no more work which they can do, no plans or calculations to make; their knowledge is strictly limited, their wisdom is ended. It needs body and soul to carry on the labors and activities of this world; when these are severed, and can no longer act together, there is a complete alteration in the man's relations and capacities. "The grave," sheol (which is found nowhere else in Ecclesiastes) , is the place to which go the souls of the dead—a shadowy region. Whither thou goest; to which all are bound . It is plain that the writer believes in the continued existence of the soul, as he differentiates its life in sheol from its life on earth, the energies and operations which are carried on in the one case being curtailed or eclipsed in the other. Of any repentance, or purification, or progress, in the unseen world, Koheleth knows and says nothing. He would seem to regard existence there as a sleep or a state of insensibility; at any rate, such is the natural view of the present passage.