Month: August 2023

I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. Ecclesiastes 2:8 (KJV)

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Seow uses the phrase ‘humanity’s treasure’ with reference to the wealth indicated in this verse. (130) It highlights every precious thing a man could think of as treasure – a thing he delights in. Provan suggests that the phrase ‘delights of the sons of men’ can be understood as a synecdoche; ‘where something can stand for the whole.’ (81) In other words, his treasures are something that men generally, and as a whole would consider as delightful and precious. This verse serves as the last item on the list of Qoheleth’s achievements. Bartholomew reflects that this verse is also indicative of how well Qoheleth maintained his political relations (at that given point of time); as most of these treasures came from foreign tributes as well. (112)

Comments:

Qoheleth had everything a man could want or aspire for. Henry reflects that his wealth was so enormous that even previously accomplished feat didn’t deplete his wealth. After building a great estate – he still had enough wealth that could still be considered as ‘humanity’s treasure;’ and not only that – this wealth was delight inducing. These verses are indicative of Qoheleth’s enormity. He should ideally be a satisfied man. He had everything. And yet, all of this, he counted as vain in comparison to YHWH.

Image: Johan Christian Dahl, Rocks in the Plauenscher Grund (1819)

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan

Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press 

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 2:1-11

I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me. Ecclesiastes 2:7 (KJV)

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The description of Qoheleth’s wealth now moves towards ‘people’ and ‘livestock.’ He didn’t just slaves – he acquired them; or was lord over them; having slaves born even in his household. It goes to show, the estate he has been mentioning required a large number of people to look after. He also possessed – a great varieties of cattle. These livestock are for the King – but it seems to go, considering the large hoard of it, that perhaps its to sustain the slaves as well. But nevertheless, the verse establishes that the Qoheleth’s wealth was not just ‘lucky draw;’ he sustained it.

Comments:

It’s a straight forward verse that we have been following since v4. These verses are to highlight how comfortable Qoheleth’s life was – he had everything a man could aspire. But as it has been establish, and as he will also conclude – all of his accomplishments are of no profit under the sun.    

Image: Andreas Schelfhout, View of Haarlem (1844)