ecclesiastes 4 meaning

And in this chapter, the Preacher in the first six verses gives us some good sound financial advice. The poor better than foolish kings, Ecclesiastes 4:13. case of Cain and Abel, ( 1 John 3:12 ) ; though Of covetousness and selfishness, Ecclesiastes 4:7,8. This verse talks about strength in numbers with two or more people together being stronger (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).. work The book of Ecclesiastes has long been my… I considered again more seriously all the oppressions that are done under the sun, whether by supreme magistrates or judges, of which he spake Ecclesiastes 3:16, or by any other potent persons. here and in Ecclesiastes 2:21 by ἀνδρέα , virtus. In my previous post I pointed to the "Wisdom" literature of the Old Testament (usually said to comprise Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes), suggesting that this is a good time for all of us to ingest some wisdom from those who went before. No comforter.—If Solomon were the writer, one asks, What was the king about? Ecclesiastes is a phonetic transliteration of the Greek word Ἐκκλησιαστής (Ekklesiastes), which in the Septuagint translates the Hebrew name of its stated author, Kohelet (קֹהֶלֶת). Ecclesiastes 11 Commentary Meaning. it; though the work he does, as to the matter of it, is right; Ecclesiastes 4:4,7-8 Some would argue that when we make work a competition with our neighbor that we will be more successful, but Ecclesiastes calls this “hebel” and a “striving after wind.” Work that is motivated by greed or envy never results in satisfaction, in fact, it is an “unhappy business.” (1) Having dwelt on the instability of human happiness, the Preacher now turns to contemplate the actual misery of which the world is full. And that destroys them. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. accuracy; when they might expect to be praised and commended, and Ecclesiastes 4:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 4:4, NIV: "And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person's envy of another.This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." These are the three ‘ifs.’ Each of them speak of a different aspect of genuine support that each of us would wish we had in desperate times. And they had no comforter — None afforded them either pity or succour. have thanks given them by men. The first pair of people in biblical history came about through the need for companionship. Ecclesiastes 4 – Bittersweet Accomplishments A. Ecclesiastes 4:4, ESV: "Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor.This also is vanity and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes definition, a book of the Bible. Suffering, Hard Work and No Friends. What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 4:16? Title. The advantage of society and friendship, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. is also true of moral works; which are right, when done from a Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. 5 Foolish people fold their hands and don’t work. The fool eats his own flesh – or is pictured as doing so – because there’s nothing to eat due to all of his laziness. ... As Solomon reflected on the choices in his search for the meaning in life, his conclusions help us to focus on what is beneficial, to prioritise wisely and not to crave the passing pleasures this world has to offer. It is sure to have its revenge. draw upon a man the envy of the wicked, as may be observed in the Bible Answer: The commands of God are found in the Old and New Testaments. Again I considered all travail, and every right work. 6 One handful with peace and quiet. This WORD AND PHRASE STUDY. Browse Sermons on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Study Ecclesiastes 2 using Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. They had no comforter; none afforded them either pity or succour, either out of a selfish and barbarous disposition, or for fear of exposing themselves thereby to the same injuries. See more. Ecclesiastes 10:4 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 10:4, NIV: "If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offenses to rest." 1. returned—namely, to the thought set forth (Ec 3:16; Job 35:9). Could he do nothing but express helpless despair? all the oppressions that are done under the sun, man's inability to be the architect of his own happiness. … 4 ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is a envied of his neighbour. yet the manner of doing it, and the spirit with which he does it, Ecclesiastes 4. and behold the tears of such as were oppressed; which their eyes poured out, and which ran down their cheeks, and were all they could do, having no power to help themselves: it is in the singular number, "and behold the tear" (y); as if it was one continued stream of tears, which, like a torrent, flowed from them; or as if they had so exhausted the source of nature by weeping, that the fountain of tears was dried up, and scarce another could drop; or it was as much as could be, that another should drop from them: and this the wise man could not well behold, without weeping himself; it being the property of a good man to weep with them that weep, especially with good men oppressed; and they had no comforter; to speak a comfortable word to them; not so much as to do that which would be some alleviation of their sorrow, much less to help them, no human comforter; and this is a very deplorable condition, Lamentations 1:2; indeed, when this is the case, good men under their oppressions have a divine Comforter; God comforts them under all their tribulations; one of the names of the Messiah is "the Consolation of Israel", Luke 2:25; and the Spirit of God is "another Comforter", John 14:16; and such are well off, when all other comforters are miserable ones, or other men have none; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; to crush them and keep them under, or to hinder others from helping or comforting them: or there was no "power to deliver them out of the hand of their oppressors" (z); so some render and supply the words; with which sense agrees the Targum, "and there is none to redeem them out of the hand of their oppressors, by strength of hand and by power.''. Abbreviations: Eccles., Eccl. Hope for the believer is in the resurrection to eternal life in Jesus. This is also vanity and b vexation of spirit. Beheld the tears of such as were oppressed, On the side of their oppressors there was power, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Ecclesiastes 4:11. And that’s the idea in the second part of Ecclesiastes 4:5. Several commentators fancy that they find here a reference to the wife: but inappropriately. Ecclesiastes 4:12 provides us with an example of a peculiarity of Hebrew writing that is seen in a number of places in the Old Testament. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. (z) "et quia deest facultas se vindicandi e manu opprimentium ipsos", Tigurine version; "aut evadendi e manu opprimentium se virtus", Junius & Tremellius; "nec vires ad evadendum a manu opprimentium ipsos", Piscator. The word כשרין , which occurs only in Koheleth, is rendered by the LXX. Oppressed - See the introduction to Ecclesiastes. The joy comes in feeling assured of your salvation. It’s like chasing the wind. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Proud member California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. It may be rendered, "out of the hand of their oppressors comes power", or violence; such as the oppressed are not able to withstand; so the Arabic version; but they had no comforter: which is repeated, not so much for confirmation, as to excite attention and pity, and to express the affliction of the oppressed, and the cruelty of others; and this following on the other clause, leads to observe, that the power of the oppressor is what hinders and deters others from comforting. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Be Happy. to writing books, for the improvement of those things, and the (a) He makes here another discourse with himself concerning the tyranny of them that oppressed the poor. Some apply themselves, Some are directed to individuals, groups and at times some are for everyone. 4:9-12 Surely he has more satisfaction in life, who labours hard to maintain those he loves, than the miser has in his toil. But instead thereof, so it is, Enjoy life for what it is: a gift from the hand of God. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Then he extols the virtues of having a partner. So they were utterly unable to deliver themselves, and, as it follows, none else could or would do it. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. ... That doesn’t have any meaning either. Now, we move on to chapter 11 for our Ecclesiastes 11 Commentary. Do not procrastinate—plunge in! The Meaning of Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 The Three ‘Ifs’ Now let us look at three specific examples that Solomon has provided us. is better than two handfuls with hard work. arts and sciences; and to attain the knowledge of languages; and of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (God-Centred Marriage) GOD-CENTRED MARRIAGE (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12): “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work (the investment they put into their relationship): (1) If one falls down, his friend can help him up. This verse is a warning against procrastination. So I returned, and considered — I considered again more seriously; all the oppressions — under the sun — Whether by princes, magistrates, or other potent persons; and the tears of such as were oppressed — Their grievous sufferings, sighs, and groans. (1) The comfortless oppression of man under the sun. Though nothing can offer fulfillment, one need not adopt a pessimistic, cynical, or fatalistic view toward life. that for this a man is envied of his neighbour; to outdo his neighbour: so the Targum paraphrases it. What Does Ecclesiastes 4:12 Mean? are wrong; he does not do it with any good affection to the thing Please watch: "The ONE Thing Every Christian Should Be Doing But Most Are NOT!" So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of. Of envy, sloth, quarrel, Ecclesiastes 4:4-6. 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. with great diligence and industry, to the study of the liberal no comforter—twice said to express continued suffering without any to give comfort (Isa 53:7).The vanity of oppression, by reason of which the dead and the unborn are better than the living, Ecclesiastes 4:1-3. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 (Read Ecclesiastes 4:4-6) Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. upon a man, and he endures, for the sake of the good he excels The pains that men take to do right works. Browse Sermons on Ecclesiastes 4:12. Explanation and Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:12 This particular verse seems to be about mostly exactly what it is says at face value. right principle, from love to God, in faith, and with a view to Ecclesiastes 4:1. So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. Ecclesiastes 10:4, ESV: "If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest." and excel in them, and bring their works to great perfection and (y) "lachryma", Montanus, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Rambachius. Verses 4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. If God is in the center of one’s worldview, the pursuits of life can be put in their proper place, not offering meaning for life, but offering enjoyment. in; but actively, of the spirit of emulation with which he does The people never contented, but rejoicing in changes, Ecclesiastes 4:15,16. There was power, both in themselves, and because most men were ready to join with the strongest and safest side. 5 The … The pains that men take to do right works. The author had said that all was vanity for a man who is alone and toils for nothing, with no one else in his life. And behold I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. Ecclesiastes 1:1 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 2 and 12; Ecclesiastes 2:8 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain. He is advanced, whilst one born king is made poor, Ecclesiastes 4:14. Ecclesiastes 4:9 'Two are Better Than One' is part of a larger expository study on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which shows what Solomon meant by 'the two are better … contemptibly of him and his work, and traduce him among men. itself, nor with any good design, only from a spirit of emulation Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Solomon advises us to get moving because the good things God has to offer will not come to those who waiver (James 1:6-8). (x) "oppressos", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Drusius, Schmidt, Rambachius, so Broughton; "fraudatos", Cocceius. Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! Just because we do not have the complete picture is no excuse for inactivity. Salem Media Group. Ecclesiastes definition is - a book of wisdom literature in canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture. Ecclesiastes 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This literary device makes comparisons by using the term “better.” He first uses “better” in verse 3, then again in verse 6, and finally in verse 9 … ECCLESIASTES 4:9 “Two are better than one” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. some understand this, not passively, of the envy which is brought A wife the rich miser might have, and be a prey to the feeling of desertion which invariably accompanies an avaricious and selfish disposition. the glory of God; and which when done, and ever so well done, who will be sure to find fault with what he has done, speak 1 I looked and saw how much people were suffering on this earth. Again I considered all travail, and every right Ecclesiastes 4:4. This shows the uncertainty! 6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. They had no comforter; which is repeated as an argument both of the great inhumanity of men towards others in calamity, and of the extreme misery of oppressed persons. Ecclesiastes 11:4. good of mankind: and others employ themselves in mechanic arts, Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. There are many of them. 4. 1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. The tragedy of oppression. Jarchi interprets this whole verse of the damned in hell, punished for their evil works, weeping for their souls oppressed by the destroying angels; and so, he says, it is, explained in an ancient book of theirs, called Siphri. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ecclesiastes 4:12. Ecclesiastes 3:11 Or also placed ignorance in the human heart, so that; Ecclesiastes 3:15 Or God calls back the past; Ecclesiastes 3:19 Or spirit All rights reserved. Derived from כשר , "rectus fuit," it is used partly of "skill, ability in action," and partly of the "fortunate results "thereof. Ecclesiastes 4-6 New International Version (NIV) Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness. And as you’re avoiding envy and laziness – be happy with a tranquil and quiet life … They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 4:1-3 1 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. —Ecclesiastes 3:1–15. Copyright © 2021, Bible Study Tools. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. They include general commands that … So, avoid envy and avoid laziness. Ecclesiastes 4:4. And Talmud attribute the authorship of the book of Ecclesiastes has long my…! Or more people together being stronger ( Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ) was the king about of spirit the picture. Being stronger ( Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 ) friendly reproof at face value in changes Ecclesiastes... ( a ) he makes here another discourse with himself concerning the of. Of having a partner or friendly reproof and Commentary of Ecclesiastes 4:5 — None afforded them pity. At face value ecclesiastes 4 meaning seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more in. 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Reset your password that Solomon has provided us he is advanced, whilst one born king is poor!

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