ecclesiastes-8:9-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9-13

Solomon, in the beginning of the chapter, had warned us against having any thing to do with seditious subjects; here, in these verses, he encourages us, in reference to the mischief of tyrannical and oppressive rulers, such as he had complained of before, Eccl. 3:16; 4:1. 1. He had observed many such rulers, Eccl. 8:9. In the serious views and reviews he had taken of the children of men and their state he had observed that many a time one man rules over another to his hurt; that is, (1.) To... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9

All this have I seen ,.... Observed, taken notice of, and thoroughly considered; all that is said above, concerning the scarcity of good men and women, the fall of our first parents, the excellency of wisdom, the necessity and advantage of keeping the king's commandment, the time and manner of doing it, the evil consequences that follow an inattention to these things, ignorance of what is to come, and the unavoidableness of death; and applied my heart unto every work that is done under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10

And so I saw the wicked buried ,.... Or "truly" F11 ובכן "et vere", Vatablus. , verily, as the Targum, this is matter of fact; or "then I saw", as Aben Ezra and others, upon applying his heart to every work; or when be observed particularly wicked magistrates, he took notice that some of them continued in their power until death, and died in their beds, and were carried to their graves in great pomp and state, and interred in a very magnificent manner, when they deserved no burial at... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily ,.... Any evil work done by magistrates, or others, against which the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, and is threatened with his vengeance; the decree is gone forth, the sentence is passed, God is determined upon punishment; but there is a delay of it, he exercises patience and longsuffering to answer some end of his, both towards his own people and the wicked; as well as to display some of his own perfections; but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:9

One man ruleth over another to his own hurt - This may be spoken of rulers generally, who, instead of feeding, fleece the flock; tyrants and oppressors, who come to an untimely end by their mismanagement of the offices of the state. All these things relate to Asiatic despots, and have ever been more applicable to them than to any other sovereigns in the world. They were despotic; they still are so. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:10

Who had come and gone from the place of the holy - The place of the holy is the sacred office which they held, anointed either as kings or priests to God; and, not having fulfilled the holy office in a holy way, have been carried to their graves without lamentation, and lie among the dead without remembrance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence - פתגם pithgam , a Divine decree or declaration. This is no Hebrew, but a mere Chaldee word, and occurs only in the later books of the Bible - Esther, Ezra and Daniel, and nowhere else but in this place. Because God does not immediately punish every delinquency, men think he disregards evil acts; and therefore they are emboldened to sin on. So this longsuffering of God, which leadeth to repentance, is abused so as to lead to farther crimes! When men sin against the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

Section 5. There is no use in repining or rebelling; true wisdom counsels obedience to the powers that be , and submission to the dispensations of Providence . However oppressive a tyrant may prove sure retribution awaits him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9

All this have I seen ( Ecclesiastes 5:18 ; Ecclesiastes 7:23 ); i.e. all that has been mentioned in the preceding eight verses, especially the conviction of retributive justice. He gained this experience by giving his mind to the consideration of men's actions. There is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. This version is certainly incorrect. A new sentence is not commenced here, but the clause is closely connected with what precedes; and "his own hurt"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10

And so ( וּבְכֵן ); then, in like manner, under the same circumstances ( Esther 4:16 ). The writer notes some apparent exceptions to the law of retribution of which he has just been speaking, the double particle at the beginning of the verse implying the connection with the preceding statement. I saw the wicked buried . "The wicked" are especially the despots ( Ecclesiastes 8:9 ). These are carried to their graves with every outward honor and respect, like the rich man in the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 8:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:10

Group of Brands