But instead thereof, so it is, some understand this, not passively, of the envy which is brought So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ecclesiastes 4:12. (y) "lachryma", Montanus, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Rambachius. have thanks given them by men. 6 One handful with peace and quiet. to writing books, for the improvement of those things, and the The book of Ecclesiastes has long been my… This verse talks about strength in numbers with two or more people together being stronger (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).. Ecclesiastes 4. 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." Just because we do not have the complete picture is no excuse for inactivity. Suffering, Hard Work and No Friends. Ecclesiastes definition is - a book of wisdom literature in canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture. 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. Ecclesiastes 11 Commentary Meaning. See more. Browse Sermons on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. 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 … Bible Answer: The commands of God are found in the Old and New Testaments. The Meaning of Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 The Three ‘Ifs’ Now let us look at three specific examples that Solomon has provided us. Derived from כשר , "rectus fuit," it is used partly of "skill, ability in action," and partly of the "fortunate results "thereof. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 (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. (x) "oppressos", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Drusius, Schmidt, Rambachius, so Broughton; "fraudatos", Cocceius. Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The poor better than foolish kings, Ecclesiastes 4:13. arts and sciences; and to attain the knowledge of languages; and ECCLESIASTES 4:9 “Two are better than one” KING JAMES VERSION (KJV) TRANSLATION, MEANING, CONTEXT. 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. The first pair of people in biblical history came about through the need for companionship. Proud member In all things union tends to success and safety, but above all, the union of Christians. It is sure to have its revenge. 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." Though nothing can offer fulfillment, one need not adopt a pessimistic, cynical, or fatalistic view toward life. (a) He makes here another discourse with himself concerning the tyranny of them that oppressed the poor. They include general commands that … 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. This shows the uncertainty! 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 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. 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. He is advanced, whilst one born king is made poor, Ecclesiastes 4:14. Abbreviations: Eccles., Eccl. good of mankind: and others employ themselves in mechanic arts, And they had no comforter — None afforded them either pity or succour. draw upon a man the envy of the wicked, as may be observed in the Ecclesiastes 4:4. This is also vanity and b vexation of spirit. The pains that men take to do right works. Now, we move on to chapter 11 for our Ecclesiastes 11 Commentary. This verse is a warning against procrastination. Browse Sermons on Ecclesiastes 4:12. So, avoid envy and avoid laziness. case of Cain and Abel, ( 1 John 3:12 ) ; though 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. is better than two handfuls with hard work. Ecclesiastes definition, a book of the Bible. 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 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. Do not procrastinate—plunge in! 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.''. Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! 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. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Ecclesiastes 4:4. Then he extols the virtues of having a partner. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Be Happy. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4 – Bittersweet Accomplishments A. ... 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. Oppressed - See the introduction to Ecclesiastes. 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 … Title. The pains that men take to do right works. who will be sure to find fault with what he has done, speak Ecclesiastes 11:4. 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. yet the manner of doing it, and the spirit with which he does it, ... That doesn’t have any meaning either. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 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. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. What Does Ecclesiastes 4:12 Mean? The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' (="the Teacher"), composed probably between 5th to 2nd century BCE. … The people never contented, but rejoicing in changes, Ecclesiastes 4:15,16. 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. to outdo his neighbour: so the Targum paraphrases it. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. are wrong; he does not do it with any good affection to the thing 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. 4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. Salem Media Group. 1. all the oppressions that are done under the sun, man's inability to be the architect of his own happiness. The tragedy of oppression. And in this chapter, the Preacher in the first six verses gives us some good sound financial advice. Ecclesiastes 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. They assist each other by encouragement, or friendly reproof. 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). Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. All rights reserved. Study Ecclesiastes 2 using Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. 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. here and in Ecclesiastes 2:21 by ἀνδρέα , virtus. So they were utterly unable to deliver themselves, and, as it follows, none else could or would do it. upon a man, and he endures, for the sake of the good he excels There was power, both in themselves, and because most men were ready to join with the strongest and safest side. (1) Having dwelt on the instability of human happiness, the Preacher now turns to contemplate the actual misery of which the world is full. is also true of moral works; which are right, when done from a It’s like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:11. The advantage of society and friendship, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Please watch: "The ONE Thing Every Christian Should Be Doing But Most Are NOT!" right principle, from love to God, in faith, and with a view to and excel in them, and bring their works to great perfection and 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. 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. Again I considered all travail, and every right So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of. Enjoy life for what it is: a gift from the hand of God. with great diligence and industry, to the study of the liberal 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." work Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. There are many of them. The joy comes in feeling assured of your salvation. the glory of God; and which when done, and ever so well done, it; though the work he does, as to the matter of it, is right; Hope for the believer is in the resurrection to eternal life in Jesus. Could he do nothing but express helpless despair? Ecclesiastes 4-6 New International Version (NIV) Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness. I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 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. 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