Ecclesiastes 4
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Ecc. 4:1-16) returned--namely, to the thought set forth (Ecc 3:16; Job 35:9). power--MAURER, not so well, "violence." no comforter--twice said to express continued suffering without any to give comfort (Isa 53:7).
Open source ↗So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun,.... The wise man, according to Aben Ezra, returned from the thought, which he had expressed in the latter part of the preceding chapter, that it was good for a man to rejoice in his works, and called it in; since he could not rejoice, when he considered the oppression and violence that were in the world; but it does not appear that he did call it in, for he afterwards repeats it: or rather he returns to his former subject, the abuse of power and authority, mentioned Ecc 3:16; and from whence he had digressed a little by the above observation; and takes a review of all kinds of oppressions which are done, and of all sorts of "oppressed" (x) ones, as some render it, which become so, under the sun; subjects by their prince; the stranger, widow, and fatherless, by unjust judges; the poor by the rich; servants and labourers by their masters; and the like. Moreover, he saw by the Holy Ghost, as Jarchi paraphrases it, all oppressions by a spirit of prophecy; he foresaw all the oppressions that would be done under the sun; as all the injuries done to the people of Israel in their several captivities; so to the church of Christ in Gospel times; all the persecutions of Rome Pagan, and also of Rome Papal; all that has or will be done by antichrist, the man of the earth, who before long will oppress no more, Psa 10:18; the Targum restrains these oppressions to those which are done to the righteous in this world: and it is well observed by the wise man, that they are such as are under the sun, for there are none above it, nor any beyond the grave, Job 3:17; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed; which their eyes poured out, and which ran down their cheeks, and were all they could do, having no po…
Open source ↗"And again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold there the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors goeth forth violence; and they have no comforter." Incorrectly Hahn: And anew I saw, - the observation is different from that of Ecc 3:16, though cognate. Thus: And again I saw, - the expression follows the syntactic scheme of Gen 26:18; regarding the fut. consec. brought into view here and at Ecc 4:7. The second העשׁ is part. pass.; the first, as at Job 35:9, and also at Amo 3:9, is abstract (i.e., bringing the many separate instances under one general idea) pluraletantum (cf. פּדוּיי, redemti, Isa 35:10; and redemtio, pretium redemtionis, Num 3:46); the plur. נע אשׁר need not appear strange, since even חיּים is connected with the plur. of the pred., e.g., Psa 31:11; Psa 88:4. דּמעת has, as at Isa 25:8 (cf. Rev 21:4, πᾶν δάκρυον), a collective sense. The expression כּח ... וּמיּד is singular. According to the most natural impression, it seems to signify: "and from the hand of their oppressors no power of deliverance" (carrying forward אין); but the parallelism of the palindromically constructed verse (as at Ecc 1:6; Ecc 2:10; Ecc 3:16) excludes this meaning. Thus כּח is here once-nowhere else-used, like the Greek βία, in the sense of violence; Luzzatto prefers the reading וּביד, by which the expression would be in conformity with the linguistic usage; but also מיד is explained: the force which they have in their hands is, in going forth from their hands, thought of as abused, and, as taking the form of שׁד or חזקה. In view of this sorrow which men bring upon their fellow-men, life for Koheleth lost all its worth and attraction.
Open source ↗Solomon had a large soul (Kg1 4:29) and it appeared by this, among other things, that he had a very tender concern for the miserable part of mankind and took cognizance of the afflictions of the afflicted. He had taken the oppressors to task (Ecc 3:16, Ecc 3:17) and put them in mind of the judgment to come, to be a curb to their insolence; now here he observes the oppressed. This he did, no doubt, as a prince, to do them justice and avenge them of their adversaries, for he both feared God and regarded men; but here he does it as a preacher, and shows, I. The troubles of their condition (Ecc 4:1); of these he speaks very feelingly and with compassion. It grieved him, 1. To see might prevailing against right, to see so much oppression done under the sun, to see servants, and labourers, and poor workmen, oppressed by their masters, who take advantage of their necessity to impose what terms they please upon them, debtors oppressed by cruel creditors and creditors too by fraudulent debtors, tenants oppressed by hard landlords and orphans by treacherous guardians, and, worst of all, subjects oppressed by arbitrary princes and unjust judges. Such oppressions are done under the sun; above the sun righteousness reigns for ever. Wise men will consider these oppressions, and contrive to do something for the relief of those that are oppressed. Blessed is he that considers the poor. 2. To see how those that were wronged laid to heart the wrongs that were done them. He beheld the tears of such as were oppressed, and perhaps could not forbear weeping with them. The world is a place of weepers; look which way we will, we have a melancholy scene presented to us, the tears of those that are oppressed with one trouble or other. They find it is to no purpose to complain, and therefore mour…
Open source ↗4:1 all the oppression: Abuse is rampant at many levels in society—in family, religion, the workplace, government, and foreign powers.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָשׁוּק (ʻâshûwq, H6217) — used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… דִּמְעָה (dimʻâh, H1832) — weeping עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow נָחַם (nâcham, H5162) — properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,…
Open source ↗שָׁבַח (shâbach, H7623) — properly, to address in aloud tone, i.e. (specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill כְּבָר (kᵉbâr, H3528) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… עֲדֶן (ʻăden, H5728) — till now
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עֲדֶן (ʻăden, H5728) — till now רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched…
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind כִּשְׁרוֹן (kishrôwn, H3788) — success, advantage מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… קִנְאָה (qinʼâh, H7068) — jealousy or envy רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close) הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth, H7469) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly חָבַק (châbaq, H2263) — to clasp (the hands or in embrace) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the…
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of… נַחַת (Nachath, H5183) — a descent, i.e. imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food); restfulness חֹפֶן (chôphen, H2651) — a fist (only in the dual) מְלֹא (mᵉlôʼ, H4393) — fulness (literally or figuratively) עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth, H7469) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched…
Open source ↗יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) עֹשֶׁר (ʻôsher, H6239) — wealth עָמֵל (ʻâmêl, H6001) — toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful חָסֵר (châçêr, H2637) — to lack; by implication, to fail, want, lessen נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יֵשׁ (yêsh, H3426) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection) שָׂכָר (sâkâr, H7939) — payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation,… עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) חָבֵר (châbêr, H2270) — an associate אִי (ʼîy, H337) — alas! שֵׁנִי (shênîy, H8145) — properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again
Open source ↗גַּם (gam, H1571) — properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) חָמַם (châmam, H2552) — to be hot (literally or figuratively) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יָחַם (yâcham, H3179) — probably to be hot; figuratively, to conceive
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first תָּקַף (tâqaph, H8630) — to overpower שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) שָׁלַשׁ (shâlash, H8027) — to be (causatively, make) triplicate (by restoration, in portions, strands, days or years) חוּט (chûwṭ, H2339) — a string; by implication, a measuring tape מְהֵרָה (mᵉhêrâh, H4120) — properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly נָתַק (nâthaq, H5423) — to tear off
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מִסְכֵּן (miçkên, H4542) — indigent חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old כְּסִיל (kᵉçîyl, H3684) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… זָהַר (zâhar, H2094) — to gleam; figuratively, to enlighten (by caution)
Open source ↗אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion רוּשׁ (rûwsh, H7326) — to be destitute
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Furthermore, I saw under the sun that in the place of judgment there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one official is watched by a superior, and others higher still are over them.
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Men cry out under great oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the mighty.
I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”
But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Her uncleanness stains her skirts; she did not consider her end. Her downfall was astounding; there was no one to comfort her. Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!
“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”