Ecclesiastes 2:24

“[There is] nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, etc.] Not in an immoderate and voluptuous manner, like the epicure and the atheist, that disbelieve a future state and the resurrection of the dead, and give up themselves to all sinful and sensual gratifications; but in a moderate way, enjoying in a cheerful and comfortable manner the good creatures of God, which he has given; being contented with them, thankful for them, and looking upon them as the blessings of divine goodness, and as flowing from the love of God to him; and thus freely using, and yet not abusing them. Some render it, “it is not good for a man to eat”f75, etc. immoderately and to excess, and to place…”

“English Version gives a seemingly Epicurean sense, contrary to the general scope. The Hebrew, literally is, "It is not good for man that he should eat," &c., "and should make his soul see good" (or "show his soul, that is, himself, happy"), &c. [WEISS]. According to HOLDEN and WEISS, Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:22 differ from this verse in the text and meaning; here he means, "It is not good that a man should feast himself, and falsely make as though his soul were happy"; he thus refers to a false pretending of happiness acquired by and for one's self; in Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:22; Ecc 5:18-19, to real seeing, or finding pleasure when God gives it. There it is said to be good for a man to enjoy with…”

“Solomon having found that wisdom and folly agree in being subject to vanity, now contrasts one with the other Ecclesiastes 2:13. Both are brought under vanity by events Ecclesiastes 2:14 which come on the wise man and the feel alike from without - death and oblivion Ecclesiastes 2:16, uncertainty Ecclesiastes 2:19, disappointment Ecclesiastes 2:21 - all happening by an external law beyond human control. Amidst this vanity, the good (see Ecclesiastes 2:10 note) that accrues to man, is the pleasure felt Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 in receiving God’s gifts, and in working with and for them. Ecclesiastes 2:12 What can the man do ... - i. e., “What is any man - in this study of wisdom and folly - after…”

“Enjoy - That he should thankfully take, and freely and chearfully enjoy the comforts which God gives him. It was - A singular gift of God. Ecclesiastes 2:25”

“2:24-26 Though life “under the sun” (1:3) is like a vapor (2:23, “meaningless”), we should enjoy God’s good gifts of food, work, and wisdom. 2:24 pleasures are from . . . God: No one should discount God’s gifts, including the basic enjoyment of food and work. If God did not give them, they would not be available. We can be thankful and satisfied.”

“nothing: Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:13, Ecc 3:22, Ecc 5:18, Ecc 8:15, Ecc 9:7-9, Ecc 11:9, Ecc 11:10; Deu 12:12, Deu 12:18; Neh 8:10; Act 14:17; Ti1 6:17 make his soul enjoy good: or, delight his senses that it: Ecc 3:13, Ecc 5:19, Ecc 6:2; Mal 2:2; Luk 12:19, Luk 12:20 Ecclesiastes 2:25”

“"There is nothing better among men, than that one eat and drink, and that he should pamper his soul by his labour: this also have I seen, that it is in the hand of God." The lxx, as well as the other Greek transl., and Jerome, had before them the words באדם שיאכל. The former translates: "Man has not the good which he shall eat and drink," i.e., also this that he eats ... is for him no true good; but the direct contrary of this is what Koheleth says. Jerome seeks to bring the thought which the text presents into the right track, by using the form of a question: nonne melius est comedere ...; against this Ecc 3:12, Ecc 3:22; Ecc 8:15, are not to be cited where טוב אין stands in the dependent…”