Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 1:9 | Word Study

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. Eccl 1:9 (KJV)

‘The thing,’ the word in reference here is mâ מָה – an interrogative noun. (H4100) The usage here seems to signal an interrogation into what can be considered ‘new’ amongst the creation. Or, what new things has man improved in a world created by YHWH. The expression mah ssehaya is also differentiated from mah sseyihyeh – to state ‘all that has happened/happening’ as contrast to ‘all that which will happen,’ The verse seems to cement an absolute sense of past/present – with no control of the human in its events. (Seow, 110) The expression is parallel to v5-6, i.e., “human action in history seems to be as circular as nature – it repeats itself without ever reaching closure.” (Bartholomew, 95)

Comments:

This verse, up to the 11th seems to humble human agency. As Henry comments, there are two things that humans pride the most: (1) to invent something new, and (2) to be remembered for it. (v9-11) These verses are a humbling reminder that none of this matter; eventually, it is YHWH that is sovereign in this world. Anything that matters begins with him and ends with him.

Image: “Jonah and the Whale“, Folio from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles), ca. 1400

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic
Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 1:9-11
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

LVII

Christian discipline may press and strain. It may rise early to read and pray; it may fast and go willingly without; it may say many a painful no. But not from any barren sense of oughtness. Rather, the surpassing worth of Christ has captured our hearts, calling forth our own surpassing work.

Not that we always feel the same sense of Christ’s worth. Sometimes, discipline is the song of living longing; other times, it is the prayer of longing lost. But whether discipline moves mainly from desire or for desire, its sights remain set on him whose presence is our pleasure. Out, then, with any thoughts of stern and frowning resolve. The only discipline worth the name runs under the banner of delight.

Scott Hubbard, Redeeming Discipline

Ecclesiastes 1:8 | Word Study

All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. Eccl. 1:8 (KJV)

The beginning and the end of the verse seem to follow the same message and reasoning that we’ve been following since verse 3. What’s interesting is the addition of human reason, or the lack thereof. The phrase, ‘a man cannot utter it,’ seem to signal this. The word ‘utter’ is derived from dāḇar דָּבַר which (in its proper sense) means to arrange, to subdue. (H1696)[1] The word ‘cannot’ is derived from yāḵōl יָכֹל which carry both a literal and a moral meaning; i.e., something literally impossible to do or morally impossible. (H3201)[2]

Comment:

It’s an interesting contrast to put man opposite to his own situation. It invokes a speculative urge to ask as to why man won’t see/understand the futility of his life and labour. Is it a willful ignorance? Or pure incapability? Scripture seems to indicate the latter. Labour as we speak of, was part of the original curse in Genesis 3. And prior to this, man had authority over the created world. He could utter it – subdue, as God’s steward on earth. Post fall, he is tied to futile labour; one he can’t understand, utter. This becomes his natural state. Verse 8 seems to be a reflection of the biblical reality of man; tied to a laborious life, one can’t undo, one can’t understand, one he can’t escape from.

Image: Albert Pinkham Ryder, Jonah (1885-1895)

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1696/kjv/wlc/0-1/

[2] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3201/kjv/wlc/0-1/