Ecclesiastes 4:1

“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun, etc.] The wise man, according to Aben Ezra, returned from the thought, which he had expressed in the latter part of the preceding chapter, that it was good for a man to rejoice in his works, and called it in; since he could not rejoice, when he considered the oppression and violence that were in the world; but it does not appear that he did call it in, for he afterwards repeats it: or rather he returns to his former subject, the abuse of power and authority, mentioned (<210316>Ecclesiastes 3:16); and from whence he had digressed a little by the above observation; and takes a review of all kinds of oppressions…”

“(Ecc. 4:1-16) returned--namely, to the thought set forth (Ecc 3:16; Job 35:9). power--MAURER, not so well, "violence." no comforter--twice said to express continued suffering without any to give comfort (Isa 53:7).”

“So I returned, and considered - Rather, And I returned and saw. He turns to look upon other phenomena, and to test his previous conclusion by them. Oppressed - See the introduction to Ecclesiastes. return to 'Top of Page'”

“I returned - I considered again. Oppressions - Whether by princes, magistrates, or other potent persons. No comforter - None afforded them pity or succour. But they, &c. - No comfort therein. Ecclesiastes 4:2”

“4:1 all the oppression: Abuse is rampant at many levels in society—in family, religion, the workplace, government, and foreign powers.”

“I returned: Job 6:29; Mal 3:18 and considered: Ecc 3:16, Ecc 5:8, Ecc 7:7; Exo 1:13, Exo 1:14, Exo 1:16, Exo 1:22, Exo 2:23, Exo 2:24, Exo 5:16-19; Deu 28:33, Deu 28:48; Jdg 4:3, Jdg 10:7, Jdg 10:8; Neh 5:1-5; Job 24:7-12; Psa 10:9, Psa 10:10; Pro 28:3, Pro 28:15, Pro 28:16; Isa 5:7, Isa 51:23, Isa 59:7, Isa 59:13-15; Mal 3:5 the tears: Psa 42:3, Psa 42:9, Psa 80:5, Psa 102:8, Psa 102:9; Mal 2:13; Jam 5:4 they had: Job 16:4, Job 19:21, Job 19:22; Psa 69:20, Psa 142:4; Pro 19:7; Lam 1:2, Lam 1:9; Mat 26:56; Ti2 4:16, Ti2 4:17 side: Heb. hand Ecclesiastes 4:2”

“"And again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold there the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter; and from the hand of their oppressors goeth forth violence; and they have no comforter." Incorrectly Hahn: And anew I saw, - the observation is different from that of Ecc 3:16, though cognate. Thus: And again I saw, - the expression follows the syntactic scheme of Gen 26:18; regarding the fut. consec. brought into view here and at Ecc 4:7. The second העשׁ is part. pass.; the first, as at Job 35:9, and also at Amo 3:9, is abstract (i.e., bringing the many separate instances under one general idea) pluraletantum (cf. פּדוּיי, redemti, Isa 35:10; and…”