Men are generally ignorant of all future events, and of the success of their endeavours, and therefore their minds are greatly disquieted, and their expectations frequently disappointed, and they fall into many mistakes and miscarriages, which they could and would prevent if they did foresee the issues of things. Who can tell him? no wise man, no astrologer or other artist, can discover this. read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Ecclesiastes 8:1. The boldness of his face shall be changed.] Folly, in the form of selfishness, imparts a fierce aspect to the features; but wisdom graces them with a superior refinement. Ecclesiastes 8:2. The King’s Commandment.] The Preacher falls back upon his authority as a king, striving to realise what is the Divine idea of the ruler of men. And that in regard of the oath of God.] An appeal to God as witness to that promise of obedience which every subject virtually makes... read more
CRITICAL NOTES.—Ecclesiastes 8:6. Therefore.] Best rendered by Although. The meaning is, that notwithstanding the present misery of man, in the ways of Providence towards him, there are appointed times. Deep and wise purposes lie behind all this apparent confusion and disorder. Is great upon him.] The form of the word implying something laid upon him as a heavy burden. Ecclesiastes 8:7. When it shall be.] The marginal rendering is to be preferred—how it shall be Ecclesiastes 8:8. Neither shall... read more
Ecclesiastes 7:0 and Ecclesiastes 8:1-15 I. The endeavour to secure a competence may be not lawful only, but most laudable, since God means us to make the best of the capacities He has given us and the opportunities He sends us. Nevertheless we may pursue this right end from a wrong motive, in a wrong spirit. Both spirit and motive are wrong if we pursue our competence as though it were a good so great that we can know no happy content and rest unless we attain it. For what is it that animates... read more
Chapter 8Who is as the wise man? and who knows the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. Where the word of the king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What are you doing? ( Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 )The king stands as the... read more
Ecclesiastes 8:1 . Who is as the wise man; and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? In the Vulgate these two questions end the seventh chapter, to which they evidently belong. Placing them at the head of a new chapter, confuses the sense. A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine. It is surprising how strikingly the intellectual powers, and the moral qualities of the soul are seen through the countenance. Art and courtly graces are all hypocrisy here. We must be as innocent as the... read more
Ecclesiastes 8:5A wise man’s heart disoerneth both time and judgment.A watchnight meditationOf all seasons of the year the present one inclines us most to thought. If, when the old year is dying, or when the new is being born, men will not think, it is very doubtful if they will ever think at all.I. A man who is not utterly unwise will see that this is a time for review. It is said of the Emperor Titus that he used to review each day as it drew to its close, and if he could not recall anything... read more
Ecc 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. Ver. 5. Whoso keepeth the commandment, ] scil., The king’s commandment. He that is compliant, and goes as far as he can with a good conscience in his obedience to the commands of his superiors, "shall feel no evil," i.e., he shall lack no good encouragement. Rom 13:3-4 Or if men slight him, God will see to him, Eph 6:7-8 as he did to the poor Israelites in Egypt, and... read more
Ecc 8:6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man [is] great upon him. Ver. 6. Because to every purpose there is time. ] Therefore the wise man seeketh after that nick of time, that punctilio of judgment, that he may do everything well, and order his affairs with discretion. A well chosen season is the greatest advantage of any action, which, as it is seldom found in haste, so it is too often lost in delay. Therefore the misery of man is great upon him.... read more
Obtenga el versículo bíblico diario todos los días en su bandeja de entrada
Leer en el móvil
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:6
There is time and judgment; there is a fit way and season for the happy accomplishment of every business which a man designeth or undertaketh to do, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man, as is implied and may be gathered from the following words. See Poole "Ecclesiastes 3:1". Therefore; because there are very few who have that wisdom which is necessary to discern this, as was now said, Ecclesiastes 9:5, and most men do by their ignorance and loss of opportunities deprive... read more