Geneva Study Bible The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. The words of the {a} Preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.
The Argument - Solomon as a preacher and one that desired to instruct all in the way of salvation, describes the deceivable vanities of this world: that man should not be addicted to anything under the sun, but rather inflamed with the desire of the heavenly life: therefore he confutes their opinions, which set their happiness either in knowledge or in pleasures, or in dignity and riches, wishing that man's true happiness consists in that he is united with God and will enjoy his presence: so that all other things must be rejected, save in as much as they further us to attain to this heavenly treasure, which is sure and permanent, and cannot be found in any other save in God alone. (a) Solomon is here called a preacher, or one who assembles the people, because he teaches the true knowledge of God, and how men ought to pass their life in this transitory world. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. {b} Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
(b) He condemns the opinions of all men who set happiness in anything but in God alone, seeing that in this world all things are as vanity and nothing. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? What profit hath a man of all his {c} labour which he taketh under the sun?
(c) Solomon does not condemn man's labour or diligence, but shows that there is no full contentment in anything under the heavens, nor in any creature, as all things are transitory. One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for {d} ever.
(d) One man dies after another, and the earth remains longest, even to the last day, which yet is subject to corruption. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; to the place from {f} which the rivers come, there they return again.
(f) The sea which compasses all the earth, fills the veins of it which pour out springs and rivers into the sea again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. {g} The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
(g) He speaks of times and seasons, and things done in them, which as they have been in times past, so come they to pass again. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. {h} I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
(h) He proves that if any could have attained happiness in this world by labour and study, he should have obtained it, because he had gifts and aids from God to it above all others. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this grievous labour hath God given to the sons of man {i} to be exercised with it.
(i) Man by nature has a desire to know, and yet is not able to come to the perfection of knowledge, which is the punishment of sin, to humble man, and to teach him to depend only on God. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. That which is {k} crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is lacking cannot be numbered.
(k) Man is not able by all his diligence to cause things to go other than they do: neither can he number the faults that are committed, much less remedy them. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know {l} madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
(l) That is, vain things, which served to pleasure, in which was no convenience, but grief and trouble of conscience. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. For in much wisdom is much {m} grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. (m) Wisdom and knowledge cannot be come by without great pain of body and mind: for when a man has attained the highest, yet is his mind never fully content: therefore in this world is no true happiness. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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