Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. It is well observed by an interpreter, that this sentence uttered by the sluggard, is, in its true meaning, not much different from that of the wise man in Proverbs 17:1, but ill applied by him. In “and windy effort” lies the reason for the judgment pronounced. Ecclesiastes 4:6. It depends on what is in the hands. connection lay here so much the nearer, as מלא is connected with the accus. These are the words of the slothful, (Calmet) or of truth. נחת signifies here, as little as it does anywhere else, the rest of sloth; but rest, in contrast to such activity in labour as robs a man of himself, to the hunting after gain and honour which never has enough, to the rivalry which places its goal always higher and higher, and seeks to be before others - it is rest connected with well-being (Ecclesiastes 6:5), gentle quietness (Ecclesiastes 9:17), resting from self-activity (Isaiah 30:15); cf. Solomon is saying, that many times with great wealth and success, goes much unhappiness. Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness - Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. 5 The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ECCLESIASTES 4:4-6 4 I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. Finlayson. The striving of a man who laboriously seeks only himself and loses himself in restlessness, is truly a striving which has wind for its object, and has the property of wind. As everywhere, so also here it preserves the unity of the combination of thoughts. To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, , etc. See more. The reason for that is that there are certain passages in this book which seem to deny that there is life after death, that it is all over when this life ends. 6.Better is a handful, etc. Browse Sermons on Ecclesiastes 4:6. When a person is born, he is nothing, until the breath of life is breathed into him by God. Happiness, in its degree and quality, varies with the man who enjoys, as welt as with the means of enjoyment. a penny by begging better than twopence by true labour? 6. "Both fists full of, etc," is as much as "both fists full of good," which more carefully looked into, is after all only travail and empty effort. It depends on whether the additional handful does not bring with it something else as well. 2 And I # See Job 3:11-26 thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are … Or. You do what you can, you get along, if you can make money fine, do whatever makes you happy because all too soon you will be old and youll be sick and you wont be able to enjoy life. Men are warned, however. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Either the fool‘s sarcasm on his successful but restless neighbor; or the comment of Solomon recommending contentment with a moderate competence. 6. 1. I say that a stillborn l child is better off than he. Better is an handful with quietness.] He that observeth the wind, shall not sow, &c. — He who neglects the necessary works of sowing and reaping, because the weather is not exactly suitable to his desires, will lose his harvest. See the note on Ecclesiastes 12:2-3. Ecclesiastes 4:6. Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil … Israel then had the hand full of rest: the heathen power, both fists full of travail. Ver. Ecclesiastes uses the absurdity of life to point to its meaning. Atheists love to contend that the book of Ecclesiastes seems to confirm that view. Life is hevel or vapor, according to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Taking the wisdom of the world, he pushes it to its logical end-points, which is what Francis Schaeffer did in his book The God Who is There . Or ever the silver cord be loosed. Hebrew, 'one open hand (palm) full of quietness, than both closed hands (fists) full of (what seems wealth, but which is really) travail.' Zצckler agrees with Hitz., and lapses into the hypothesis of a dialogue otherwise rejected by him. 3:16 saw all # ch. The former meaning seems preferable. 11 For there are many words which increase futility. If one individual and another individual make a twofold cord, the threefold cord must have an additional element that we can infer to be God Almighty. Better — These are the words of the sluggard, making this apology for his idleness, That his little with ease, is better than great riches got with much trouble. Zckler agrees with Hitz., and lapses into the hypothesis of a dialogue otherwise rejected by him. Solomon is speaking here, as if that life was not breathed into him, and he was a baby who never lived. 6 Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit. Plenty of people, if you said to them, Is there a real, ultimate meaning to life? 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. “Better isan handful withquietness, than both the hands full withtravail and vexation of spirit.”. Abbreviations: Eccles., Eccl. Ecclesiastes definition, a book of the Bible. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had # Lam. than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit; than large possessions gotten with a great deal of trouble, and enjoyed with much vexation and uneasiness; in which he mistakes slothful ease for true quietness; calls honest labour and industry travail and vexation; and supposes that true contentment lies in the enjoyment of little, and cannot be had where there is much; whereas it is to be found in a good man in every state: or else these words express the true sentiments of Solomon's mind, steering between the two extremes of slothfulness, and too toilsome labour to be rich; that it is much more eligible to have a competency, though it is but small, with a good conscience, with tranquillity of mind, with the love and fear of God, and a contented heart, than to have a large estate, with great trouble and fatigue in getting and keeping it, especially with discontent and uneasiness; and this agrees with what the wise man says elsewhere, Proverbs 15:16. כּף is the open hollow hand, and חפן (Assyr. {as Ecclesiastes 4:4} Is not a little with ease better? In a word, nahath has not here the sense of being idle or lazy. In the Hebrew Bible, Ecclesiastes stands between the Song of Solomon and Lamentations and with them belongs to … Better is an handful with quietness. Ecclesiastes 4:6, ESV: "Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind." Or the words may contain Solomon's reflection on the subject. of that with which anything is full. So he assumes a superficial naturalism, to wrong foot his readers in order to point to the deeper underlying truths of our existence. But he wishes them to remember that, even if the times had been more prosperous, they themselves would not necessarily have been more happy. (Menochius). "Quietness" (tranquillity flowing from moderate labour) is the happy mean between ruinous indolence on the one hand (Ecclesiastes 4:5), and laborious acquisition of wealth, and with it envy, on the other (Ecclesiastes 4:4 ; Proverbs 15:16-17; Proverbs 16:8). We try to control it, but time marches on, we die and life is random. To get what Ecclesiastes 4:6 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. The fifth verse stands in a relation of contrast to this which follows: “Better is one hand full of quietness, than both fists full of labour and windy effort.” Mendelssohn and others interpret Ecclesiastes 4:5 as the objection of the industrious, and Ecclesiastes 4:6 as the reply of the slothful. It depends also on what kind of man has the handful or handfuls. It is pitched in the same key as the maxim of the Apostle Paul: “Godliness with contentment is great gain”: and it reminds us of the still more inclusive maxim of our Lord Himself: “A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (T. C. Ecclesiastes definition is - a book of wisdom literature in canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture. Does it have meaning or not? 1.) There are a lot of people for … hÌ£upunnu ) the hand closed like a ball, the first. --- The indolent will not observe moderation in the application of this sentence. Taught by such an experience they will be satisfied with a humble and limited lot. Commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 (Read Ecclesiastes 4:4-6) Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and … Ecclesiastes 11:4. Instead of trying to seize control of the “hebel” all around us, we should instead focus our lives on fearing God and doing what is right. Of the sluggard making this apology for his idleness, that his little with ease, is better than great riches got with much trouble. Ecclesiastes, (Preacher), an Old Testament book of wisdom literature that belongs to the third section of the biblical canon, known as the Ketuvim (Writings). 5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One handful of grain is better than two handfuls of chaff. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better [is] a handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. The “quietness” here spoken of is not the inactivity of sloth, but that restfulness of spirit which an industrious man may enjoy when his industry is pervaded by a cheerful contentment. In human life it often happens that a plus involves a minus; a gain in one direction means a loss in another. Ecclesiastes 6 Commentary Summary Meaning Explained We’re starting in Ecclesiastes 6:1 for this Ecclesiastes 6 Commentary. Ecclesiastes 4:4. Good words are not always to be trusted, from ill men especially. It would be better to use of in place of “with,” and Hebrew usage would demand it — “handful of quietness,” “both the hands full of travail.”. “Rest” and “labour and windy effort” are the accusatives of that to which the designation of measure refers (Gesen. Many of us need to learn this lesson, to be grateful and appreciative for the handful that we do have and realize that the price of two handfuls might be less time with our mate, less time with our children and less time for God. It is better to be happy with a little, than unhappy with much. Two handfuls are not necessarily better than one. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Ecclesiastes 4:6, NIV: "Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." Then he becomes a living soul. High popularity:210 searches a month. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better [is] an handful [with] quietness, than both the hands full [with] travail and vexation of spirit. The book of Ecclesiastes has long been my… And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. by the bitter experience mentioned in Ecclesiastes 4:4, to do well, and not to go beyond that which is strictly necessary. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Context. I have written on the Book of Ecclesiastes and the subject of the meaning of our lives on several occasions on this blog.In this series on Ecclesiastes I hope to show how secular humanist man can not hope to find a lasting meaning to his life in a closed system without bringing God back into the picture. And so, this is the meaning of Ecclesiastes: We live in a broken world where life is confusing and chaotic, filled with things that seem satisfying but actually leave us empty, hurt, and/or angry. If God is not placed first in every liaison that we human beings make (marriage, friendship, or church fellowship) the relationship will be short lived. Hope comes from wisdom, and fearing and obeying God. — Remember thy Creator, I say, before the silver cord be removed, and the golden pully hasteneth its motion, and the jar be dashed to pieces upon the well, and the conduit be broken, through which the water used to run into the cistern. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on Ecclesiastes 4:6. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. (Haydock) (Proverbs xvii. Mendelssohn and others interpret Ecclesiastes 4:5 as the objection of the industrious, and Ecclesiastes 4:6 as the reply of the slothful. Better (is) an handful (with) quietness, than both the hands full (with) travail. Ecclesiastes is one of the favorite books of the Bible for skeptics, scoffers, atheists and certain of the cultists. In my previous post I pointed to the "Wisdom" literature of the Old Testament (usually said to comprise Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes), suggesting that this is a good time for all of us to ingest some wisdom from those who went before. Your friends and loved ones’ envy and sometimes even despise you, when you are more successful than they are. 2. Ecclesiastes 6:4 "For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. " The last portion of the passage refers to a threefold cord. Mind. This is the sluggard’s plea, whereby he bolstereth himself up in his wickedness, and would make you believe that he did, non sine ratione insanire, not play the madman without good reason. Information and translations of ecclesiastes in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Definition of ecclesiastes in the Definitions.net dictionary. §118. This maxim of Ecclesiastes is well worth pondering. 9:11 Again I # ch. The answer lies in rightly facing sinful drives that urge us to follow the world in its evil quests. The sequence of the thoughts is this: The fool in idleness consumes his own life-strength; but, on the other hand, a little of true rest is better than the labour of windy effort, urged on by rivalry yielding no rest. the post-bibl. Plenty of people do not think there is much meaning to life. What does ecclesiastes mean? Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible.It is described as "the words of the Philosopher, David's son, who was King in Jerusalem" (verse 1).This is probably Solomon.The book talks about the meaning of life and the best way to live.. People disagree about what the Book of Ecclesiastes means. Yea, and even the same man may possibly get more satisfaction out of one handful than out of two handfuls of the same thing. Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature in regard to kind of a big picture of life. This too is vanity and striving after wind. The Targum is, "better to a man is a handful of food with quietness of soul, and without robbery and rapine, than two handfuls of food with robbery and rapine;'. עמל and רעות רוח point back to Ecclesiastes 4:4. "One hand full of rest"-"Better is a handful with rest, than both fists full of toil and chasing after wind" (Ber). The Targum is, "better to a man is a handful of food with quietness of soul, and without robbery and rapine, than two handfuls of food with robbery and rapine;''. Ecclesiastes 4:6 Context. But better than both is the one who … Ecclesiastes 11:5 Meaning of Path of the Wind. He describes what awaits us in the grave. Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV - Better one handful with tranquillity - Bible Gateway. Now, here is one of those maxims with which Ecclesiastes sought to comfort the hearts and to direct the conduct of his countrymen. רוּח נחת, satisfaction, contentment, comfort. But in order to get the significance of that verse and the section it’s in, we need to back up just a little. But it is an argument against that spirit of envious rivalry and selfish, restless ambition, which lessens the capacity, in the very act of increasing the means, of enjoyment. 1:2 no one to comfort them! He summarizes how to avoid the influence of the corruption. 1 # ch. than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit; than large possessions gotten with a great deal of trouble, and enjoyed with much vexation and uneasiness; in which he mistakes slothful ease for true quietness; calls honest labour and industry travail and vexation; and supposes that true contentment lies in the enjoyment of little, and cannot be had where there is much; whereas it is to be found in a good man in every state: or else these words express the true sentiments of Solomon's mind, steering between the two extremes of slothfulness, and too toilsome labour to be rich; that it is much more eligible to have a competency, though it is but small, with a good conscience, with tranquillity of mind, with the love and fear of God, and a contented heart, than to have a large estate, with great trouble and fatigue in getting and keeping it, especially with discontent and uneasiness; and this agrees with what the wise man says elsewhere, Proverbs 15:16. 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