Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8
Albert Barnes Commentary
Ecclesiastes 8
"Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man`s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed." — Ecclesiastes 8:1 (ASV)
And who - Rather, and as he who knows. The possessor of wisdom excels other people: it imparts serenity to his countenance, and removes the expression of gloom or fierceness (see the marginal reference).
"I [counsel thee], Keep the king`s command, and that in regard of the oath of God." — Ecclesiastes 8:2 (ASV)
Oath - A reference to the oath of allegiance taken to Solomon at his accession to the throne (the margin of 1 Chronicles 29:24).
"Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him." — Ecclesiastes 8:3 (ASV)
Stand not ... - that is, “Do not persist in rebellion.”
"Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man`s heart discerneth time and judgment:" — Ecclesiastes 8:5 (ASV)
Feel - literally, know. The meaning is, “He who obeys the commandment (that is, the word of the king, Ecclesiastes 8:4), will not be an accomplice in any act of rebellion; and if he is a wise man he discerns (literally knows) that the king’s commandment or action is liable to correction, if it is wrong, in God’s time and by God’s judgment.” Compare Ecclesiastes 3:11, Ecclesiastes 3:17.
"for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:" — Ecclesiastes 8:6 (ASV)
Because, therefore—Or, as in Ecclesiastes 8:7, “for.”
The possibility of God’s time and judgment being in opposition to a king’s purpose or commandment (Ecclesiastes 8:5), suggests the thought that such discord is a misery (evil, Ecclesiastes 6:1) common to man (or, mankind).
Jump to: