Study – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 2:2 | Word Study

I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? Ecclesiastes 2:2 (KJV)

Reflections on ‘mirth,’ śimḥâ (H8057)[1] is carried forward to this verse. “Gladness of heart, joy, pleasure—it is not that these things are not good in themselves in Ecclesiastes. Yet Qohelet has discovered that the pursuit of them with the hope of gain is just as pointless as the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge for that purpose. The concept śimḥa does not “accomplish” or achieve anything (v. 2). Indeed, it is as readily associated with fools as with the wise (cf. 7:4). The same is true of “laughter” (2:2), which is all too often uttered by those who have no profound grasp of reality (cf. 7:3–6).” (Provan, 79)

Comments:

In a generous reading, ‘laughter’ can at best be a ‘palliative cure’ to the present grievances of life. (Henry) But it nevertheless is pointless, because giving into śimḥâ trivialises the state of our sinful existence. Or in other words, it displaces us from the conducive state of ‘seeking holiness.’ An interesting question that Qôheleth confronts us with is – Can we be merry and wise?

Image: Gwen Meharg, Eve’s Heartache (2014)

References:

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

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8057/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Ecclesiastes 2:1 | Word Study

I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 2:1 (KJV)

The word ‘pleasure’ does not really seem to indicate a negative meaning; as in hedonistic. (H2896) So the kind of pleasure this verse is referring to is probably not sinful; or outrightly sinful. The word ‘mirth’ is derived from śimḥâ שִׂמְחָה, meaning joy gladness, et cetera. (H8057). And it is described as ‘gift of God;’ which makes ‘pleasure’ not a forbidden indulgence. (Provan, 79) It can also be contrasted with ‘experiencing death,’ or meaning ‘suffering evil.’ (Seow, 126)

The phrase ‘I will prove thee,’ can be read as ‘let me make you experience.’ (125) The verse indicates the intend to step down from intellectual speculation to experiencing life in itself. “… he exchanges the company of the philosophers and grave senators for that of the wits and gallants, and the beaux-esprits, of his court, to try if he could find true satisfaction and happiness among them. Here he takes a great step downward, from the noble pleasures of the intellect to the brutal ones of sense; yet, if he resolve to make a thorough trial, he must knock at this door, because here a great part of mankind imagine they have found that which he was in quest of.” (Henry)

Comments:

Although the joy of living is good, but to seek that to be profited from, will only lead to vanity. Henry categorises this mirth seeking as ‘animal risible;’ i.e., enjoying life purely as sense animal. In other words, enjoying life without knowing the God that has made this life enjoyable – is utterly vain.

Image: Fernand Cormon, Cain (1880)

References:
Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 2:1-11
Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan
Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 1:15 | Word Study

That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. Ecclesiastes 1:15 (KJV)

The word ‘crooked’ is derived from ʿāvaṯ עָוַת; meaning, perversion. (H5791)[1] Considering how this verse seems make to an allusion to human depravity; this word could also mean ‘a deep-seated perversion.’[2] The word ‘cannot,’ is derived from yāḵōl יָכֹל; meaning, ability (in the negative sense). There are two sources to this meaning, H3201[3] and H3808[4]. Interestingly this word also has a moral connotation. Meaning, something that cannot be morally done. The word ‘straight’ is derived from tāqan תָּקַן, meaning ‘set in order.’ (H8626) And it seems to be a word specific to the book of Ecclesiastes – elsewhere recurring in these verses only, 7:13 and 12:9. The word ‘wanting’ is derived from ḥesrôn חֶסְרוֹן, meaning deficiency. (H2642) The word ‘numbered’ is derived from mānâ מָנָה, meaning ‘to count, appoint…’ (H4487)

Comments:

In continuation from v12, this verse seems to highlight the folly of counting ‘deficiency’ with a hope of meeting it with a surplus; a profit via human labour. Two things: (1) what is ‘wanting’ cannot be numbered, because (2) the reality of the human condition is ‘crooked.’

“… its (a) question about where the human profit might occur in consequence of human effort. There is no “gain” of this kind from toil, Qohelet tells us; there is only and always a deficit. To pursue gain is therefore only and always futile.” (Provan, 78)

Image: Jakob Steinhardt, Jonah Preaches in Nineveh (1923)

References:

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

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5791/kjv/wlc/0-1/

[2] Jer 17:9, Rom 7:18

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

[4] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3808/kjv/wlc/0-1/