Ecclesiastes 8:16

“When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, etc.] The nature and causes of things; the wisdom of God in his providence, and the grounds and reasons of his various dispensations towards the children of men: the Targum interprets it, the wisdom of the law; and to see the business that is done upon the earth; either the business of Providence, in dealing so unequally with the righteous and the wicked, before observed; and which is a business very afflictive and distressing for curious persons to look into, not being able to account for it: or the labour and toil of men to get wealth and riches, and to find happiness in them; (for also [there is that] neither day nor night seeth sleep with his…”

“Reply to Ecc 8:14-15. When I applied myself to observe man's toils after happiness (some of them so incessant as not to allow sufficient time for "sleep"), then (Ecc 8:17, the apodosis) I saw that man cannot find out (the reason of) God's inscrutable dealings with the "just" and with the "wicked" here (Ecc 8:14; Ecc 3:11; Job 5:9; Rom 11:33); his duty is to acquiesce in them as good, because they are God's, though he sees not all the reasons for them (Psa 73:16). It is enough to know "the righteous are in God's hand" (Ecc 9:1). "Over wise" (Ecc 7:16); that is, Speculations above what is written are vain. Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 9”

“These verses supplement Ecclesiastes 8:15 with the reflection that the man who goes beyond that limited sphere within which he can labor and be contented, and investigates the whole work of God, will find that his finite intelligence cannot grasp it. Ecclesiastes 8:16 Business - Or, “travail” Ecclesiastes 1:13; Ecclesiastes 3:10. The sleeplessness noted probably refers to the writer himself. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 8". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ecclesiastes-8.html. 1870. StudyLight.org…”

“To see - To observe mens various designs and employments, and their unwearied labours about worldly things. For there is - Having now mentioned the business which is done, or which man doth, upon earth, he further adds, as an evidence of man's eagerness in pursuing his business, for even by day and by night he (the busy man) seeth not sleep with his eyes. He grudges himself necessary refreshments, and disquiets himself with endless cares and labours. Ecclesiastes 8:17”

“8:16–9:12 Another generalization from lifelong observation is that death appears to be meaningless. Why do some die and others live longer? God’s sovereign decision in this matter is unpredictable (7:13-14). 8:16-17 A person could spend night and day looking for the answers to every question, but the reasons for everything will not be apparent. God’s justice, for example, is sometimes mysterious.”

“When I: Solomon here records the result of his perplexing inquiries into the affairs of men, and the purposes, providence, and works of God. And when he examined with great attention and diligence into the works of God, he found he could neither comprehend nor explain them; and was persuaded, that no application or capacity would enable a man to fathom the depth of the Divine dispensations in this lower world. How vain, then, are all cavils against Divine providence; when we can neither understand, nor comprehend it! Ecc 8:9, Ecc 8:7 Ecc 7:25 there is that: Ecc 2:23, Ecc 4:8, Ecc 5:12; Gen 31:40; Psa 127:2 Ecclesiastes 8:17”

“"When I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to view the business which is done on the earth (for neither day nor night doth he see sleep with his eyes): then have I seen all the work of God, that a man is unable to find out the work which is done under the sun: therefore that a man wearieth himself to seek out, and yet findeth not; and although a wise man taketh in hand to know, - he is unable to find." A long period without a premeditated plan has here formed itself under the hand of the author. As it lies before us, it is halved by the vav in veraithi ("then I have seen"); the principal clause, introduced by "when I gave," can nowhere otherwise begin than here; but it is not indicated by the…”