Ecclesiastes 1

Everything is vanity and disquietenesse, both in respect of men themselves, and in respect of things that are done in the world, being altogether inconstant, transitory and full of vexation; v.1,&c. This the preacher proveth by his own example, 12.

1. The words of the Preacher, the son of David the King, as Jerusalem, (at Jerusalem was the Royal seat: but Solomon was the King over the twelve tribes of the people of Israel, see below, v.12.]

2. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, [That is, the greatest vanity; as we say, King of Kings, that is, the highest song. See the annotate. Gen. 9. On vers 25 and Levit.2 on v.3. And understand these words so, that Solomon thereby signifieth, that all earthly things can no way help or benefit us, for to attain unto true happiness or blessedness] it is all vanity. [to wit, all that is done under the Sun, verse 3. Compare Psal. 62. 9. And 144.4.]

3. What advantage [Or surplussage, remainder, profit, gain; to wit, to attain unto quietness of mind, every ones happiness constisteth] hath a man of all his labour, [or, troublesome labour; to wit, as well of the mind as of the body] which he laboureth under the Sun? [that is, about the transitory things of the of this world. As if he had said, none, no profit at all, so below chapter 2.22. and 3.9.]

4. One generation goeth, and another generation cometh, [The meaning of these words is, the multitude of men or people that are now alive, they die and perish; so shall they likewise perish and die, that shall succeed and come after them from one age to another, and from one generation to another. See Psal 12.6. yea, all that is in the world, it is transitory and changeable; therefore can it not bring unto a man any true, real, substantial, or biding happiness]but the earth abideth forever. [Or, is abiding, it perisheth not so, as the things do perish that are alive and move in it. Otherwise, it is most certain, that the world shall also perish at last, see Psal.102.27. and 104.5 and 119.90. and 2 Pet. 3. On ver.10.]

5. The Sun also riseth, and the Sun goeth down, and he panteth after his place where he arose. [This is spoken by way of similitude, taken from a man that runneth apace ( so that he gapeth for breath) to come to the place where he would be. See Psal. 56. On vers.2. The meaning of this, and the next following verses seemeth to be this, All labour, both of the mind and body, in and about worldly affairs, maketh a man full of care and anxiety, so that he is in a continual motion, like the Sun, the air, and the rivers; therefore it cannot make a man happy.]

6. He goeth towards the South, [To wit, from such times as he entereth into the celestial sign of Cancer, until he entereth into the sign of Capricorn; to wit, in summer and Autumn] and goeth about unto the North, [to wit, the other half year, from that he entereth into Cancer, namely, in Winter and Spring] the windeth goeth continually compassing about, [Heb. Wheeling about, wheeling about] and the wind returneth again to his circuits, [blowing sometimes out of one, sometimes out of another Climate or part of the world.]

7. All the books [Understand under these, yea especially, the Rivers and water-streams] go unto the sea, yet the Sea waxeth not full; [to wit, so full, as that it should over-flow the earth, but it continueth all in one condition, see Job 38:10,11 Psal 104.9.] unto the place whither the brooks go, thither going do they return again. [to wit, by or through the veins that run under the earth, the Preacher doth intimidate hereby, that the rivers are in a continual flux and reflux, or in motion to and fro.]

8. All these things grow (so) weary, [Or, are, (so) full of labour, or, toil,] that no man is able to utter it, [yea, neither able to comprehend it with his mind or understanding. And consequently, cannot the things that are seen and heard in the world, bring any true contentment or quietness of the mind unto a man] the eye is not satisfied with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing.

9. That which hath been, the same shall be ; and that which is done, the same shall be done: [So below, chap.3.15.] So that there is no new thing under the Sun. [To wit, as touching those things that are done in the world according to the common course of nature: but the case is otherwise concerning the extraordinary works of God.]

10. is there anything, whereof it may be said, see that it is new? Is that hath been already in the ages which were before us. [The meaning is, there is nothing new (though it may seem to be new) but it hath been also heretofore at one time or another.]

11. There is no remembrance of former things; [As if he had said, if so be there any thing sound which men call a new thing, it is from hence, because they do not well know all that is past, and that happened in the former times and ages, because there is no remembrance of it] and of the following things which shall be, of there be neither any remembrance with those that shall be after.

12. I, the Preacher, was Kings over Israel at Jerusalem. [As if he had said, I, being a great and mighty King, have had leisure and fit opportunity to do that, which straightway followeth, much more that any man else, who have not had that ability, wealthy, opportunity, or knowledge to search and dive into all things, as I have had, see below, chap 2.5,6,7,8,&c.]

13. And I gave my heart to search and inquire with wisdom, into all things that are done under heaven: [As well those that came forth according to the order of nature, I Kings 3, and 4. As those that happened against the common course of nature] this business [Heb. Evil business, trouble, or anxiety, which is called evil or evilsome, because a man busieth himself therewith, enjoyeth not the right benefit thereof, because he can never attain to a full and perfect knowledge of all things, nor of the carries from whence they issue, as also the putting in practice of humane knowledge is very hard and difficult thing] hath God given to the children of men, to perplex themselves therewith. [or, to be busied therein, or to vex themselves therein, or to humble themselves thereby.]

14. I beheld all the works that are under the Sun, and behold, it was all vanity and vexation of spirit. [That is, not a flight head aching or head-bicaking, but a vexation, gnawing, bicking, or consumption of the heart or mind. Oth. Feeding or nourishing of the wind, that is, a thing whereby a man is no more comforted and strengthened

15. That which is crooked cannot be made straight; [To wit, by a mans own skill and understanding, or by humane industry, but God is able to do all things; therefore David prayeth, Lord, create in me a new spirit, see below, chapter 7.13.] and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. [that is, there be so many defects and imperfections in the things of this world, as they that in no wise can be numbered or told.]

16. I communed with mine (own) heart, saying, I have enlarged an increased wisdom, [Or, I am grown great and more abounding in wisdom; to wit, in the knowledge of natural things, and of the things that are done, and come to pass in the world, see 1 Kings 3:12 and 4.29. and 10.7,23. Ezekiel 2:9.] above all those that have been before me at Jerusalem : and mine heart hath seen[that is, experienced and found out, see Job 7. On v. 7.] much wisdom and knowledge.

17. And i gave my heart to know wisdom and knowledge, madness and folly. [That is, I was diligent and industrious, to somewhat better, what the excellence of wisdom meant, by opposing thereunto, and as it were balancing against folly, which is contrary to wisdom, see Exodus 2:12.] I perceived that this also is a vexation of spirit, [see above, on v. 14.]

18. For i much wisdom is much grief: [Or anger, or anguish, or defection of mind; to wit, because those that excel in wisdom and understanding, do perceive many things which are repugnant and clean contrary to wisdom, and therefore do sore displease them: or also because the spirit of man (even of the wisest) cannot execute and accomplish his thoughts or intentions] and be that increaseth [Heb. Adjoyeth, addeth] knowledge, the same increaseth pain. [or painfulness, ache, grief, perplexity, that is, he that desueth to know much, he hath also much trouble and perplexity.]