Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the … With increased force of expression the author here says that it is better not to have been born at all than to live. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Solomon is speaking here, as if that life was not breathed into him, and he was a baby who never lived. BibliographyPoole, Matthew, "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". ECCLES 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. In Isaiah 11:13, קנאת אפרים is the jealousy felt by Ephraim of Judah, who was preferred: in Ecclesiastes 9:6, of this book, envy is conjoined with hatred. BibliographyWesley, John. "Vanity and empty effort" are not usually predicated of labours winch are morally worthless, but of such as bring no advantage (compare Ecclesiastes 2:17). "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". “And I saw all the labour and all the skill of business, that it is an envious surpassing of the one by the other: also this is vain and windy effort.” The היא refers to this exertion of vigorous effort and skill. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/ecclesiastes-4.html. 4:6 This verse is possibly another proverb (e.g., Prov. 2 But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication 4 will rise with healing wings, 5 and you will skip about 6 like calves released from the stall. Following the example of the Decalogue מרעהו draws attention to the baseness of the fact that the friend, of God and right, grudges him the successful results of his skilful labour. "First, the competitive urge….We may quibble if we will, and remind him (Solomon) of such people as solitary castaways or needy peasants, who toil simply to keep alive, or those artists who really love perfection for its own sake; but the fact remains that all too much of our hard work and high endeavor is mixed with the craving to outshine or not to be outshone. In all such statements as this, Solomon's viewpoint is centered absolutely upon the present world, taking into account no thought whatever of God. Ecclesiastes 1:4 (NAS95S) The Hebrew word that is translated as “forever” is HOLAM. If one be poor, he is in distress; if rich, he is exposed to envy; so that all is vanity. All this expenditure of strength and art has covetousness and envy, with which one seeks to surpass another, as its poisoned sting. “It 3 will not leave even a root or branch. For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. that for this a man is envied of his neighbour; who will be sure to find fault with what he has done, speak contemptibly of him and his work, and traduce him among men. Ecclesiastes 4:5. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/ecclesiastes-4.html. He had never come to the Light. Sowing discord among brethren is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. Ecclesiastes 4:1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter. There is an oppression that comes on good men from the worldly men. Based Ecc. Every Zopyrus shall be sure to have his Zoilus. Even in friendly rivalry this may play a larger part than we think----for we can bear to be outclassed for some of the time and by some people, but not too regularly or too profoundly" (Kidner p. 45). 1874-1909. ; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: "For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?" https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/ecclesiastes-4.html. BibliographyBeza, Theodore. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". BibliographyJamieson, Robert, D.D. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(A). Therefore the encouragement to do good, to act an upright part, is very little. "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". ECCLES 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Which naturally rob labor and talent of lasting enjoyment. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". BibliographyWhedon, Daniel. 4:8 used in Eccl. 7 ¶ Then I returned, and I saw a vanity under the sun. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. III. wisdom and knowledge and Kishron. Ecclesiastes 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. With כּי , quod , that which forms the pred. It is possible that "rest" here represents Eccl. Copyright StatementJames Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1854-1889. and to this sense Jarchi; compare with this, Philemon 1:15. Not the same word as in Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 2:23, Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ecclesiastes 3:10; Ecclesiastes 4:8; Ecclesiastes 5:14. every right work = all the dexterity in work. It is of course better to be envied than pitied, but still envy with all the hostile and pernicious acts flowing therefrom, and which frequently bring about the ruin of their object, is a great evil, and it is no small consolation for a man who, like Israel at the time, finds himself in an unenviable position, to know that he is not exposed to this torment. "Mark Dunagan Commentaries on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/ecclesiastes-4.html. Companionship and … Read verse in Ostervald (French) BibliographyTorrey, R. A. I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 1909-1922. 1599-1645. right — rather, “prosperous” (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21). Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. 4. BibliographyNisbet, James. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; It does not seem to matter what we do. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/ecclesiastes-4.html. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rbc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Now the focus and effect of the Fall are reduced. Assuming, as Koheleth does in this discussion, from Ecclesiastes 3:22, that there is no future life, he is prepared to suggest that jealousy of one another is the main cause of men’s efforts in life. (See Note on Ecclesiastes 2:21.). Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. The illustration hereby induced of the value of closer social connection of men and harmonious co-operation of their powers to one end, V. The sentence against the vanity of all earthly things necessarily extends even to the greatest and most powerful of earth. Ecclesiaste 4:4 E ho visto che ogni fatica e ogni buona riuscita nel lavoro provocano invidia dell’uno contro l’altro. Looking with jealous envy on the successful rivals of their struggles, and with scorn on those less fortunate, who are contented with a more modest lot (4–6).—Then follow reflections regarding the happiness of such persons as have risen through the abundance of their goods to a distinguished and influential position in human society, but. BibliographyBenson, Joseph. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/ecclesiastes-4.html. "The 1599 Geneva Study Bible". In addition, how many of us have inherently linked our personal worth with our economic worth? Waddey's comment on this paragraph: "In a godless world, sinners envy and resent another's success, rather than rejoicing in it; and in contrast he mentions the lazy fool who, rather than work, `foldeth his hands together' in rest, and `eateth his own flesh,' he consumes his inheritance. "Whedon's Commentary on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Go to. "[3] This rendition carries that implication: "I saw that all a man's toil and skill is expended through the desire to surpass his neighbor; this, too, is an empty thing and a clutching at the wind."[4]. 4 1 “For indeed the day 2 is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. Church Pulpit Commentary. Treasury of Scripture. Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. BibliographyBarnes, Albert. It aggravates the baseness of the envy, that it is on the part of one's own neighbour. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/teb/ecclesiastes-4.html. Devotion to Business springs from Jealous Competition: (a) Let us glance once more at the several symptoms we have already heard him discuss, and consider whether or not they accord with the results of our own observation and experience, is it true, then-or, rather, is it not true-that our devotion to business is becoming excessive and exhausting, and that this devotion springs mainly from our jealous rivalry and competition with each other? Cela aussi est une vanité et un tourment d'esprit. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 1765. Again I considered all travail — Hebrew כל עמל, all the labour, toil, or trouble, which men undertake or undergo; and every right work — All the worthy designs of virtuous men; that for this a man is envied of his neighbour — Instead of that honour and recompense which he deserves, he meets with nothing but envy, and obloquy, and many evil fruits thereof. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/ecclesiastes-4.html. This also is a vanity 1 and a striving after wind. New International Version Update. "E.W. In the latter signification, namely, "advantage, gain," it occurs in Ecclesiastes 5:10; in the former we find it used in Ecclesiastes 2:21, in conjunction with wisdom and knowledge: "a man whose work is in. 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:. 5 The a fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. It is meant to highlight the futility of human effort apart from God. The margin gives here the true sense, or at least the better, This springs from a man’s jealousy towards his neighbour. 4:9,10,11,12. 1871-8. 6 Better is an a handful with b quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/ecclesiastes-4.html. 4:9-12 - This sermon encourages believers to develop intentional relationships within the Body of Christ. 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. New York. Envied — Instead of honour, he meets with envy and obloquy. The garment of righteousness, parti-coloured with all variety of graces, is a great eyesore to the wicked, and makes the saints maligned. Ecclesiastes 4:4. For this … - i. e., “This successful work makes the worker an object of envy.” Some understand the meaning to be, “this work is the effect of the rivalry of man with his neighbor.”. Joseph Benson's Commentary. Now self is not the only issue. 9 Deux valent mieux qu'un, parce qu'ils retirent un bon salaire de leur travail. 11 De même, si deux couchent ensemble, ils auront chaud; mais celui qui est seul, comment aura-t-il chaud? 4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. 4 ¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is a envied of his neighbour. All other rights reserved. 5 The fool b folds his hands and c eats his own flesh. The word כשרין, which occurs only in Koheleth, is rendered by the LXX. Even in friendly rivalry this may play a larger part than we think----for we can bear to be outclassed for some of the time and by some people, but not too regularly or too profoundly", Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Commentary Critical and Explanatory - Unabridged, Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible, Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures. It so, then the workaholic and the sluggard are contrasted. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Two are always better than one (BDB 25) and three better than two (cf. But it does not seem to matter who we are. "is done is the result of rivalry"-"that the basic motive for success is the driving force of envy and jealousy" (Tay). When men gather grapes from thorns and figs from thistles, then, but not before, we may look to find a satisfying good in "all the toil and all the dexterity in toil" which spring from this "jealous rivalry of the one with the other.". But instead thereof, so it is. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Ecclésiaste 5.4. (Calmet). Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. Deux valent mieux qu'un ; car ils ont un meilleur salaire de leur travail. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use our convenient, "For this a man is envied of his neighbor", John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Again I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, I. Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ecclesiastes 4:1) and “envy,” so far is it from constituting the chief good. The pains that men take to do right works. Who doesn’t love a Cinderella story? "John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible". 6 Better one handful with tranquillity. This too is futile--a miserable task. II. Eccl. 6 d Better is a handful of e quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. "[7] Also in this second paragraph, a number of illustrations are given to illuminate the real point. From the sad lot of victims innocently suffering from tyrannical persecution and oppression, II. Ecclesiastes 4:4. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Ecclesiastes 4:4. It is hard that a man's zeal should be interpreted by his neighbour to be an envious desire to surpass, to outstrip him. Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. Ecclésiaste 4:4 J'ai vu aussi que tout travail et toute habileté dans le travail n'est que jalousie de l'un à l'égard de l'autre. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cpc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Other people become famous and they have many friends. BibliographyExell, Joseph S. "Commentary on "Ecclesiastes 4:4". All Rightes Reserved, Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855. vexation, &c. = feeding on wind. See Proverbs 27:4. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. Ver. The only effect of that would be to ruin ourselves. We gravely need to remember that the stream cannot rise above its source, nor the fruit be better than the root from which it grows; that the business ardour which has its origin in a base and selfish motive can only be a base and selfish ardour. "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. This also is a vanity and a striving after wind. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. When wilt thou arise out of sleep? 4. - Again, I considered all travail, and every right work. The title “Ecclesiastes” comes from a Greek word indicating a person who calls an assembly, so it makes sense that the author identified himself in Ecclesiastes 1:1 by Then further, the connection with Ecclesiastes 4:5-6 is decisive against this view. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 1871-8. 4:9-12 This paragraph speaks of the advantage of companionship. Anche questo è vanità e un correr dietro al vento. This too is vanity and striving after wind.". BibliographyTrapp, John. 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Even success by skill brings no solid satisfaction. Hengstenberg translates skill. 4:16 The Teacher tells us that people are not fair to each other. 1832. Copyright StatementThese files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed. 1905. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. This is another piece of life’s vanity; that, as greater men will lie heavy upon you and oppress you, so meaner men will be envying at you and oppose you: as Cain did Abel, Saul’s courtiers did David; the peers of Persia, Daniel; the Scribes and Pharisees, our Saviour. Finding the new version too difficult to understand? "[6] In this understanding of it, the fool's eating his own flesh would mean the same as the common saying that, "He was eating his heart out with envy.". Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/ecclesiastes-4.html. I just seems that whenever we get something really nice, someone tries to shoot us down or find a flaw in our selection. I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. BibliographyCoffman, James Burton. "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament". "Expositor's Bible Commentary". and chasing after the wind. Verses 4-6. Then he becomes a living soul. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dun/ecclesiastes-4.html. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. follows the object. Who, in consequence of this very wealth, run the risk of falling into a helpless, joyless, and isolated condition, destitute of friends and adherents, IV. This is also true of moral works; which are right, when done from a right principle, from love to God, in faith, and with a view to the glory of God; and which when done, and ever so well done, draw upon a man the envy of the wicked, as may be observed in the case of Cain and Abel, 1 John 3:12; though some understand this, not passively, of the envy which is brought upon a man, and he endures, for the sake of the good he excels in; but actively, of the spirit of emulation with which he does it; though the work he does, as to the matter of it, is right; yet the manner of doing it, and the spirit with which he does it, are wrong; he does not do it with any good affection to the thing itself, nor with any good design, only from a spirit of emulation to outdo his neighbour: so the Targum paraphrases it, "this is the emulation that a man emulates his neighbour, to do as he; if he emulates him to do good, the heavenly Word does good to him; but if he emulates him to do evil, the heavenly Word does evil to him;'. the min in mere'ehu is as in amatz min , Psalms 18:18, and the like - the same as the compar. 10 Car, s'ils tombent, l'un relève son compagnon; mais malheur à celui qui est seul et qui tombe, sans avoir un second pour le relever! Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ecclesiastes 4:1) and "envy," so far is it from constituting the chief good. 1876. A man is envied — Jealousy is here a more fitting term than envy, for envy relates to what is now in possession, jealousy to what is now in process of acquirement. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 4:7-8 7 Then I looked again at vanity under the sun. : aemulatio qua unus prae altero eminere studet . Copyright StatementThe Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament is a derivative of a public domain electronic edition. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. Venet., by rendering here and at Ecclesiastes 2:24 כּשׁרון , by καθαρότης , betrays himself as a Jew. and ruin themselves. Another human being changes the equation. For this a man is envied - It is not by injustice and wrong only that men suffer, but through envy also. Derived from כשר, "rectus fuit," it is used partly of "skill, ability in action," and partly of the "fortunate results "thereof. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". BibliographyDunagan, Mark. Every right work ... for this a man is envied - rather (as note, Ecclesiastes 2:21, "equity," prosperity), prosperous. Verse 4. BibliographyHaydock, George Leo. 1859. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/ecclesiastes-4.html. Ver. Some people have no friends. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. - Secondly, success meets with envy, and produces no lasting good to the worker; yet, however unsatisfactory the result, man must continue to labor, as idleness is ruin. This is also vanity. The verb also is frequently used to denote envy or jealousy of advantages. There follow after, the words: "and to a man who has not laboured therein must he give it." here and in Ecclesiastes 2:21 by ἀνδρέα, virtus. Every right work; all the worthy designs and complete works of wise and virtuous men. The Ecclesiastes 4: 1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 1 Unusual skill, talent and success seem only to expose a man to envy and ill will from his neighbor. There is also, an oppression that Satan tries to harass us all with. "These two paragraphs on labor view it from different perspectives; first, from the perspective of envy, and secondly, from the perspective of solitariness. For if a man act uprightly and properly in the world, he soon becomes the object of his neighbor's envy and calumny too. From the sad lot of victims innocently suffering from tyrannical persecution and oppression (1–3), the description proceeds directly to the more lucky but not more innocent condition of persons consumed with envy, dissatisfaction, and jealousy, and who with toilsome efforts chase after the treasures of this earth. I. Of his neighbour. 4. Here again we find thoughts that are identifiable with Solomon, as in Proverbs 15:16-17; 17:1 and in Proverbs 16:8: ANOTHER WORD ON THE WORTHLESSNESS OF LABOR. Ecclésiaste 4.9. Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. The root meaning of the word is “thus pointing to what is hidden in the distant future or in the distant past.”[1] Therefore, in some passages the word refers to something in the distant past or future. Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Devotion to Business springs from Jealous Competition, Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, "First, the competitive urge….We may quibble if we will, and remind him (Solomon) of such people as solitary castaways or needy peasants, who toil simply to keep alive, or those artists who really love perfection for its own sake; but the fact remains that all too much of our hard work and high endeavor is mixed with the craving to outshine or not to be outshone.