Verse 1

Dead flies. Hebrew flies of death: i.e. flies that bring or produce death. Supply the Figure of speech Ellipsis, "[as] dead".

cause = [are that which will] cause, &c.

to send forth a stinking savour = to stink [and] fer-ment. Figure of speech Hendiadys. App-6.

folly = stupidity. Hebrew. sakal. Same root as in Ecclesiastes 10:6. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

him. Note the Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6): "So doth stupidity [cause] him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour [to send forth an offensive savour]".

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Verse 2

fool"s = dullard"s. Hebrew. kesil = fat, inert. Same word as in Ecclesiastes 10:12. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

Verse 3

fool. Hebrew. sakal. Same word as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:14, not verses: Ecclesiastes 10:2, Ecclesiastes 10:12, Ecclesiastes 10:15.

wisdom = beart.

saith = tells. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

he = he himself (emph.)

Verse 4

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

yielding, &c. = gentleness preventeth greater outrages.

Verse 5

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

under the sun. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:3.

Verse 6

Folly = a great dullard. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:1, Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:14.

in great dignity = in many high positions.

Verse 7

horses. No evidence of a late origin of this book, for we read of them in 1 Kings 4:26, 1 Kings 4:28; 1 Kings 10:26, 1 Kings 10:28; 1 Kings 22:4. 2 Kings 9:33; 2 Kings 14:20. If not in common use, it was because of the Law (Deuteronomy 17:16); and because of Solomon"s disobedience (1 Kings 10:28. 2 Chronicles 1:16, 2 Chronicles 1:17; 2 Chronicles 9:28).

upon the earth. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:2.

Verse 8

hedge = a wall built of loose stones without mortar. Hebrew. gader, used especially of sheep-folds (Numbers 32:16, Numbers 32:24, Numbers 32:36; 1 Samuel 24:3). Zephaniah 2:6); also for fencing pathways between the vineyards (Numbers 22:24. Psalms 62:3; Psalms 80:12). The crevices between the loose stones form hiding-places for lizards and other creeping things.

Verse 13

foolishness. Hebrew. sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:14.

madness. See note on Ecclesiastes 1:17.

Verse 15

labour = toil.

foolish. Hebrew. kesil, as in Ecclesiastes 10:2 and Ecclesiastes 10:12; not sakal, as in verses: Ecclesiastes 10:3, Ecclesiastes 10:6, Ecclesiastes 10:13, Ecclesiastes 3:14.

Verse 17

Blessed = Happy. Hebrew. "ashrey. The only occurrence in this book.

Verse 18

building decayeth = the roof falleth in.

droppeth through = leaketh.

Verse 19

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27.

maketh merry = will gladden life. Compare Psalms 104:15.

answereth all things = maketh everything respond [to their requirements]: i.e. will procure both [feast and wine]. See note on Ecclesiastes 5:19, the only two occurrences of "anah in this book.

Verse 20

Curse not the king = Revile not a king.

in thy thought = in thy secret thought: i.e. with all thy [acquired] knowledge. Hebrew. madda", a rare word. Occurs only six times. Rendered "thought", here; "knowledge" (2 Chronicles 1:10, 2 Chronicles 1:11, 2 Chronicles 1:12. Daniel 1:17); "science" (Daniel 1:4).