Copyright StatementThese files are public domain.Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. 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. Better is a handful with quietness, than two handfuls and striving after wind. 11 De même, si deux couchent ensemble, ils auront chaud; mais celui qui est seul, comment aura-t-il chaud? 1874-1909. BibliographyEllicott, Charles John. Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms. Hengstenberg translates skill. Verse 4. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/ecclesiastes-4.html. "The Adam Clarke Commentary". 1832. There is an oppression that comes on good men from the worldly men. This is also vanity. 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. "[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.". The only effect of that would be to ruin ourselves. "These two paragraphs on labor view it from different perspectives; first, from the perspective of envy, and secondly, from the perspective of solitariness. This also is a vanity 1 and a striving after wind. Now self is not the only issue. and ruin themselves. Go to. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 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. Read verse in Ostervald (French) "Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". I. The Biblical Illustrator. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 1999-2014. travail = toil, as connected with trouble, sorrow. 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. 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. "The envious man is here exhibited in the attitude of the sluggard (Proverbs 6:10). BibliographyNisbet, James. Copyright StatementThe New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. It aggravates the baseness of the envy, that it is on the part of one's own neighbour. "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". BibliographyTrapp, John. 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. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cpc/ecclesiastes-4.html. 4:16 The Teacher tells us that people are not fair to each other. Ecclesiastes 4:5. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". So the tenth commandment. Ecclésiaste 4.4. BibliographyTorrey, R. A. 1857. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Ecclésiaste 1:4 - Une génération s'en va, une autre vient, et la terre subsiste toujours. Even success by skill brings no solid satisfaction. The margin gives here the true sense, or at least the better, This springs from a man’s jealousy towards his neighbour. ECCLES 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. Ecclesiastes 1:4 (NAS95S) The Hebrew word that is translated as “forever” is HOLAM. Ecclesiaste 4:4 E ho visto che ogni fatica e ogni buona riuscita nel lavoro provocano invidia dell’uno contro l’altro. 1854-1889. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 1865-1868. Il vaut mieux ne pas faire de vœu qu’en faire et ne pas s’en acquitter. The Ecclesiastes 4: 1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 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 Deux valent mieux qu'un ; car ils ont un meilleur salaire de leur travail. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.(A). "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Copyright StatementJames Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 4:9-12 This paragraph speaks of the advantage of companionship. ", "For this a man is envied of his neighbor" (Ecclesiastes 4:4). See Proverbs 27:4. Ecclésiaste 4:9-12 Louis Segond (LSG). Ver. For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom. To devour one's own flesh is to work one's own ruin (compare Isaiah 49:20). "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 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). 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. This too is vanity and striving after wind. Several interpreters think that hero all distinctions are traced back to the principle of rivalry. 7 ¶ Then I returned, and I saw a vanity under the sun. {See Trapp on "Proverbs 27:4"}. From the sad lot of victims innocently suffering from tyrannical persecution and oppression, II. 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. 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. But it does not seem to matter who we are. 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. BibliographyDunagan, Mark. 4:12b). The word כשרין, which occurs only in Koheleth, is rendered by the LXX. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". BibliographyJamieson, Robert, D.D. 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. 1685. (See Note on Ecclesiastes 2:21.). Among the examples in proof of the imperfection and inconstancy of earthly happiness which the Preacher communicates in the above section from the rich treasures of his own experience we find the relation of an ascending grade from lower to higher and more brilliant conditions of happiness. Therefore the encouragement to do good, to act an upright part, is very little. Based Ecc. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 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. כשרון is employed in the sense of "skill, ability," here also.—That this is the envy of a man from his neighbour:—the end of the whole matter is that a man is envied by his neighbour; Vulgate, "eum patere invidae proximi." It is meant to highlight the futility of human effort apart from God. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". That for this a man is envied of his neighbour. Denomination: Baptist. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:14. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/ecclesiastes-4.html. Envied — Instead of honour, he meets with envy and obloquy. Derived from כשר, "rectus fuit," it is used partly of "skill, ability in action," and partly of the "fortunate results "thereof. Ecclesiastes 4:3. 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. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. BibliographyBarnes, Albert. Church Pulpit Commentary. BibliographyBeza, Theodore. the min in mere'ehu is as in amatz min , Psalms 18:18, and the like - the same as the compar. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 4. It so, then the workaholic and the sluggard are contrasted. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rbc/ecclesiastes-4.html. Which naturally rob labor and talent of lasting enjoyment. Copyright StatementThese files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available on the Christian Classics Ethereal Library Website. "And I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. Treasury of Scripture. "[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]. With כּי , quod , that which forms the pred. Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. (13-16) The vanity of fame and its short life. The word rendered "right" is kishron (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21), and means rather "dexterity," "success." Venet., by rendering here and at Ecclesiastes 2:24 כּשׁרון , by καθαρότης , betrays himself as a Jew. “It 3 will not leave even a root or branch. When a person is born, he is nothing, until the breath of life is breathed into him by God. 4:9,10,11,12. The illustration hereby induced of the value of closer social connection of men and harmonious co-operation of their powers to one end (9–12) leads to the closing reflection; this is devoted to the distress and disaster of the highest circles of human society, acknowledging the fate even of the most favoured pets of fortune, such as the occupants of princely or kingly thrones, to be uncertain and liable to a reverse, and thus showing that. It is hard that a man's zeal should be interpreted by his neighbour to be an envious desire to surpass, to outstrip him. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit. "Expositor's Bible Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/teb/ecclesiastes-4.html. Other people become famous and they have many friends. "George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary". 2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. The garment of righteousness, parti-coloured with all variety of graces, is a great eyesore to the wicked, and makes the saints maligned. 2:24-26; 3:12,13,22; 5:18; 9:7-9. here and in Ecclesiastes 2:21 by ἀνδρέα, virtus. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/ecclesiastes-4.html. BibliographyWesley, John. Cela aussi est une vanité et un tourment d'esprit. There follow after, the words: "and to a man who has not laboured therein must he give it." 4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. Who doesn’t love a Cinderella story? Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the … 1599-1645. right — rather, “prosperous” (see on Ecclesiastes 2:21). In addition, how many of us have inherently linked our personal worth with our economic worth? All rights reserved worldwide. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/ecclesiastes-4.html. I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place. That for this a man is envied of his neighbour.] Every Zopyrus shall be sure to have his Zoilus. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". 4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. For this a man is envied - It is not by injustice and wrong only that men suffer, but through envy also. 4. So, that’s all so exciting. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/kdo/ecclesiastes-4.html. 1 Unusual skill, talent and success seem only to expose a man to envy and ill will from his neighbor. 4:9-12 - This sermon encourages believers to develop intentional relationships within the Body of Christ. BibliographyExell, Joseph S. "Commentary on "Ecclesiastes 4:4". 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. Ecclesiastes 6:4 "For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. " "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament". Is it not as accurate a delineation of our life as it could be of any ancient form of life? The coming day will burn them up,” says the Lord who rules over all. 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. There is also, an oppression that Satan tries to harass us all with. Ecclesiastes 4 is the fourth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. "[5] Another view of the fool mentioned here is that he represents the envious man. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". The principal passage is Proverbs 6:9-11 : "How long wilt thou lie, O sluggard? 1876. 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? Two are always better than one (BDB 25) and three better than two (cf. Every right work - Rather, every success in work. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4". Industries, or Hebrew, "righteous actions." https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dun/ecclesiastes-4.html.