Word Study – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 6:8 | Word Study

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? Ecclesiastes 6:8 (KJV)

It seems there are two studies here: (1) wise over the fool, and (2) poor over the rich. In both cases, the former is thought to be better off than the latter; but Qoheleth seems to states – this may not be so. This enigmatic situation is formulated appropriately by Bartholomew, “… (it) refers back to 5:8-9. Wisdom is all about skill in living, but what value is it to the poor if their lot is to be oppressed and exploited? How can wisdom help the poor if rising out of poverty, that is, becoming wealthy—one of the things wisdom is meant to produce (cf. Prov. 3:9–10) merely compounds the problem of the meaning of life?” (202-203) Without God, our skills amount to nothing.

Reference:

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

Ecclesiastes 6:7 | Word Study

All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. Ecclesiastes 6:7 (KJV)

The word of ‘appetite’ is translated from נֶפֶשׁ nephesh. Its literal meaning is ‘a breathing animal, i.e., an animal of vitality.’ (H5315)[1] But it seems it is used figuratively here, i.e., appetite, desire, greedy, lust, et cetera, or straightforward as a soul, living being, life, self, person, et cetera. The commentators mostly suggest perhaps Qoheleth is referring to ‘death,’ or death’s appetite. But in an overall, this specific verse seems to sum up the madness of labouring under the sun. (Provan, 148)

Reference:

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

[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5315/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Ecclesiastes 6:6 | Word Study

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? Ecclesiastes 6:6 (KJV)

There is no objective advantage of ‘being alive;’ that is to say, just because you are alive it does not mean you are at a better off position. Qoheleth’s intended meaning is straightforward. “The meaning of the sentence is clear: if one does not enjoy good when one is able, then there is no difference between the living and the dead.” (Seow, 213) The two thousand years that the natural man has over the stillborn adds to no advantage if God does not allow him to enjoy it. “Such a life could last two thousand years and still be futile, if the person never learns to ‘see the good…’ Moreover, it will in any case end in death.” (Provan, 148)

References:

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

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