Ecclesiastes 8:7-8 ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

Solomon had said (Eccl. 8:5) that a wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, that is, a man's wisdom will go a great way, by the blessing of God, in moral prognostications; but here he shows that few have that wisdom, and that even the wisest may yet be surprised by a calamity which they had not any foresight of, and therefore it is our wisdom to expect and prepare for sudden changes. Observe, 1. All the events concerning us, with the exact time of them, are determined and appointed in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be ,.... Or that "it shall be" F2 מה שיהיה "quod futurum est", Pagninus, Montanus. ; that he ever shall have the opportunity again he has lost, nor what is to come hereafter; what shall be on the morrow, or what shall befall him in the remaining part of his days; what troubles and sorrows he shall meet with, or what will be the case and circumstances of his family after his death; for who can tell him when it shall be ? or "how it shall be" ... read more

John Gill

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

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit ,.... Which is not to be understood of the wind, which the word used sometimes signifies, and of men's having no power to restrain that, or hinder it from blowing; for to what purpose should Solomon mention this? rather it may be considered as a check upon despotic and arbitrary princes not to stretch their power too far; since they had none over the spirits or minds of men, and could not hinder them from thinking ill of... read more

Adam Clarke

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

There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit - The Chaldee has, "There is no man who can rule over the spirit of the breath, so as to prevent the animal life from leaving the body of man." Others translate to this sense: "No man hath power over the wind to restrain the wind; and none has power over death to restrain him; and when a man engages as a soldier, he cannot be discharged from the war till it is ended; and by wickedness no man shall be delivered from any... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Section 5. There is no use in repining or rebelling; true wisdom counsels obedience to the powers that be , and submission to the dispensations of Providence . However oppressive a tyrant may prove sure retribution awaits him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he knoweth not that which shall be . The subject may be man in general, or more probably the evil tyrant. The clause contains a third reason for patience. The despot cannot foresee the future, and goes on blindly filling up the measure of his iniquity, being unable to take any precautions against his inevitable fate ( Proverbs 24:22 ). Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat . For who can tell him when it shall be ? rather, how it shall be . The fourth portion of the argument.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:8

This verse gives the conclusion of the line of argument which confirms the last clause of Ecclesiastes 8:5 . There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit. If we take "spirit" in the sense of "the breath of life," explaining the clause to mean that the mightiest despot has no power to retain life when his call comes, we have the same thought repeated virtually in the next clause. It is therefore bettor to take ruach in the sense of "wind" ( Genesis 8:1 ). No one... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:7

When - Or, as in the margin. For the meaning of this verse, compare marginal references. read more

Albert Barnes

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

Neither hath he power - Rather: “and there is no power.” Compare Ecclesiastes 3:19.No discharge ... - i. e., “No exemption from the final hour of struggle between life and death.”Wickedness - Though the life of the wicked may be prolonged Ecclesiastes 7:15, yet wickedness itself has no inherent power to prolong that life. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:6-7

Ecclesiastes 8:6-7. Because to every purpose there is a time, &c. There is a fit way and season for the accomplishment of every business, which is known to God, but for the most part hidden from man. See notes on Ecclesiastes 3:1. Therefore the misery of man is great Because there are few who have wisdom to discern this, most men expose themselves to manifold miseries. For he knoweth not that which shall be Men are generally ignorant of future events, and of the success of their... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:7

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:7

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 8:6-7

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