Ecclesiastes 4

1. I returned, and considered. “I turned to consider once more.” A state of doubt (iii. 21) cannot give satisfaction to a mind earnestly seeking after truth; and the inquirer will therefore review again and again the appearances which led to it.

on the side of their oppressors, etc. Or, “and from the hand of their oppressors was power,” used to oppress.

2. I praised the dead. i.e., I called them happier who died long ago.

4 every right work. “Every skilful work.” Whilst the poor are oppressed (ver. 1), the successful are envied; so that both have their “vexation.”

5 eateth his own flesh. Rather, “eateth his meat (or, food).” So that contentment with moderate means is best (6), if it can be attained.

6. Better is a handful with quietness. Or, “Better is a handful of quiet, than both fists full of,” etc.

7. Then I returned, and I saw, etc. Rather, “And again I observed,” etc.

8 [there is] not a second. Toiling to acquire wealth, although there is no one connected either by blood or by particular friendship to inherit it.

9 they have a good reward. Men may effect unitedly what singly they could not accomplish, whilst they enjoy their earnings better together than they could alone.

10. For he hath not, etc. Rather, “and hath not,” etc.

12. And if one prevail against him, etc. Rather, “And if any overpower one [alone], two will stand against him,” i.e., the assailant.

13. Better is a poor and a wise child, etc. The Preacher now turns to political changes, as illustrating his position.

child. Rather, “youth,” as R.V. The same word is used for Joseph at the age of 17 (Gen. xxxvii. 30; xiii. 20), and of Rehoboam’s companions (1 Kings xii. 8, 10).

14 becometh poor. i.e., the old and foolish hereditary king “becometh poor” by his impolitic measures; whilst a captive or slave from his prison, like Joseph (Gen. xii. 40-45), rises to power.

15. I considered all the living, etc. Vers. 15, 16 should be rendered, “I saw all the living who walk under the sun with (i.e., on the side of) the young man, the second (i.e., successor) who stood up in his stead: there was no end of all the people, even of all before whom he was (i.e., as their leader); yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him,” etc. Though he has been borne into power by the favour of the multitude, he shall soon find his popularity decline, and perhaps be thrust out by some new idol. The history of modern nations, Western as well as Eastern, supplies many illustrations of this.

1. Thou hast doves’ eyes. “Thine eyes are doves (see i. 15) behind thy veil”; and so in ver. 3.

Thy hair is as a flock of goats. The figures of Eastern poetry are peculiarly bold and luxuriant. Here the dark hair of the bride, hanging down in tresses over her shoulders, is compared to a flock of goats (which in Palestine are commonly black) “lying outspread from Mount Gilead” down the mountain side.

2. Thy teeth are like a flock. The teeth are white, even and complete.

3 thy speech. Rather, “thy place of speech”; thy mouth.

… within thy locks. Rather, “… behind the veil.”

4 the tower of David. It was customary on the outside of towers to hang shields (Ezek. xxvii. 10, 11). This allusion is suggested by the bride’s necklace of jewels.

5 two young roes. Rather, “two fawns, twins of a gazelle.”

6. Until the day break, etc. The bride modestly interrupts the glowing description of her charms, and longs for solitude till the evening (ii. 17, and note); which makes the king admire still more her perfect loveliness.

8. Come with me from Lebanon. The home of the bride was in Northern Palestine, of which the chief mountain-peaks are mentioned. The appeal is in the spirit of Psa. xlv. 10, 11: “Forget thine own people and thy father’s house, so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty.”

spouse. Or, “bride.” The word used here and in vers. 9, 10, 11, 12, and v. 1, is always applied elsewhere to a married woman.

Look (or, “go,” R.V. marg.) from the top of Amana, etc. “Amana,” or “Abana,” was probably the name of a part of Shenir or Hermon, from which the river of the same name flowed to Damascus: see Deut. iii. 9; 2 Kings v. 12. On these hills lions were formerly found, and the Syrian panther (or “leopard”) is still sometimes seen.

9 one of thine eyes. Rather, “one of thy glances.”

12. A garden inclosed etc. Better, “shut up,” as in the next clause (R.V.). A garden with its choicest productions, and a spring with its refreshing streams, are described as being “shut up” and “sealed”; with reference perhaps to the bride’s modesty and chastity.

13. Thy plants, etc. The image of a garden is here followed into detail. For “pleasant,” the R.V. has more accurately, “precious,” as in Deut. xxxiii. 14.

Camphire. Rather, “henna”: see on i. 14. The plants here mentioned were mostly exotics. “Calamus” is the sweet or aromatic cane (see Groser’s Trees and Plants mentioned in the Bible, p. 206).

15. A fountain of gardens. That is, as R.V., “Thou art a fountain of gardens.”

streams (R.V., “flowing streams”) from Lebanon. Like one of those mountain streams fed by perennial snows, which diffuse life, fertility, and beauty where they flow.

16. Awake, O north wind. The bride replies to her husband’s praises, desiring that “the garden” which he so much admires may yield for him its richest delights. The “north wind” clears the air; the “south” warms and ripens. In Palestine the east and west winds are stormy.

that the spices thereof may flow out. The breezes diffuse the fragrance of the plants.