Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes front
Introduction to Ecclesiastes
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of Ecclesiastes
- The author questions the nature of life and the limits of human wisdom (1:1–6:12)
- The author teaches about making wise choices in how one lives (7:1–12:7)
- The conclusion and ending (12:8–14)
What is the Book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a group of short teachings that try to answer questions such as “What do people gain from all their labor?” Ecclesiastes is a series of thoughts about a variety of subjects, all of them about the purpose and worth of various actions and events. The author concludes that all the work we perform and all the knowledge and skill we gain is like a vapor that disappears, and that we must fear Yahweh and keep his commandments.
How should the title of this book be translated?
The traditional title for this book is “Ecclesiastes.” Its meaning is similar to “religious assembly.” Translators might decide on a title that better describes the content of the book, such as “Words of a Teacher” or “Teachings of a Wise Man.”
Who wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes?
The author appears to be Solomon, “the Teacher, the descendant of David and king in Jerusalem.” This is consistent with what Solomon was known for: * his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:16 and twenty-six other references to wisdom); * his vast wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:8), and the pain that comes from wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:13–14; Ecclesiastes 4:8; and Ecclesiastes 9:11); * his large number of servants (Ecclesiastes 2:7 and Ecclesiastes 10:7); * his limitless opportunities for worldly pleasures (Ecclesiastes 2:1–2, Ecclesiastes 10; Ecclesiastes 3:13; Ecclesiastes 4:8; Ecclesiastes 5:4; and Ecclesiastes 12:1); and * the wide range of his many building projects (Ecclesiastes 2:4–6).
Solomon appears to have written the Book of Ecclesiastes near the end of his life, as he reflected on what he gained from all that he did.
Why are there so many apparent contradictions in the Book of Ecclesiastes?
Some scholars think the author was a faithful man. Other scholars think that the author made bad decisions and was sorrowful when he wrote this book. Apparent contradictions in the book may indicate that Solomon’s faith was sometimes weak. Or, it is also possible that the teachings in the book differ from each other in order to relate to different things happening in the lives of readers.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
What does this book teach about how God repays people?
In the ancient Near East, people were concerned with why they were being punished or blessed. They often connected these things to their gods. The writer of Ecclesiastes explains that Yahweh will bless and reward people for the right things they do and punish people for the evil things they do. But this might not happen in this life. (See: bless, blessed, blessing, just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification, god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness and evil, wicked, unpleasant)
What value did the Israelites place on the Book of Ecclesiastes?
The Israelites have often questioned the value of this book. This is due in large part to its unusual wording and teachings. At times, it appears to disagree with the rest of Scripture. While many have questioned its authority, it has been affirmed to be Scripture. It gives valuable lessons concerning the uselessness of pursuing any goal other than to give Yahweh glory.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
What is the meaning of “under the sun?”
“Under the sun” here is another way of saying “on the earth.” When the author says that there is “nothing new under the sun,” this means that every kind of thing has already happened before on the earth. While a particular event may not have specifically occurred before, something similar has already occurred.
How do I translate harsh or shocking passages?
Parts of the Book of Ecclesiastes can be shocking or surprising to read in Scripture. For example, “If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but if his heart is not satisfied with good and he is not buried with honor, then I say that a baby that is born dead is better off than he is” (6:3). The translator should allow these difficulties to remain and not try to make them less surprising.
How is life described in the Book of Ecclesiastes?
The author of Ecclesiastes concludes that everything in this life quickly passes away, like a vapor that disappears. A person’s circumstances or character and even all of the things of this world have little or no significance apart from God. That is because God gives meaning to everything.
At the end of their life, people often say that the years of their life seemed short. The author of Ecclesiastes used the metaphor of vapor or breath to describe how life ends while it seems to be just beginning.
Ecclesiastes 1
Ecclesiastes 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 1:2–11 and 15.
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Tone
The tone of this chapter is sad, or depressing. The author believes that everything in life is pointless. The metaphors in this chapter all describe the idea that nothing ever changes. This is also known as “fatalism.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metaphor)
Ecclesiastes 1:2
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Quote: Like a vapor of mist, like a breeze in the wind, everything vanishes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of how everything in life vanishes and has no lasting value as if everything were like a disappearing vapor or breeze. Alternate translation: “Like a vapor of mist vanishes and like a breeze in the wind disappears, everything vanishes and has no lasting value”
Ecclesiastes 1:3
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Quote: What profit does mankind gain … under the sun? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that man’s work is pointless and has no lasting benefit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Mankind gains no profit … under the sun.”
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Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 1:4
General Information:
The writer is presenting the natural order of life as he understands it.
Ecclesiastes 1:5
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Quote: hurries back to the place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This speaks of how the sun sets at the end of the day and is soon ready to rise again, as if it were a person that quickly ran from the place where it sets to the place from which it rises. Alternate translation: “quickly returns to the place” or “quickly goes to the place”
Ecclesiastes 1:8
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Quote: Everything becomes wearisome (0)“Everything becomes tiring.” Since man is unable to explain these things, it becomes useless to try.
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Quote: The eye is not satisfied by what it sees (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the “eye” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “A person is not satisfied by what his eyes see”
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Quote: nor is the ear fulfilled by what it hears (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the “ear” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “nor is a person content by what his ears hear”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
General Information:
There is nothing new regarding man and his activities.
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Quote: whatever has been done is what will be done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “whatever has happened before is what will happen again”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 1:10
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Quote: Is there anything about which it may be said, ‘Look, this is new’? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question is asked to emphasize that man cannot say there is anything new. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is nothing about which it may be said, ‘Look, this is new.’”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: about which it may be said (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “about which someone may say”
Ecclesiastes 1:11
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Quote: that will happen in the future (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The understood subject may be supplied. Alternate translation: “the things that will happen in the future”
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Quote: will not likely be remembered either (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will not likely remember them either”
Ecclesiastes 1:13
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Quote: I applied my mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “mind” to emphasize his thoughts. Alternate translation: “I determined” or “I applied myself”
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Quote: to study and to search out (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize how diligently he studied.
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Quote: under heaven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to things that are done on earth. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
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Quote: children of mankind (0)Alternate translation: “human beings”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
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Quote: all the deeds that are done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “everything that people do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: look (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The author uses this word to draw attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “indeed” or “really”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: amount to vapor … chasing the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: amount to vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“are only mist.” The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were “vapor.” Just as vapor disappears and does not last, things have no lasting value. Alternate translation: “are as useless as vapor” or “are meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: chasing the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author says that everything that people do is as useless as if they were trying to control the wind. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 1:15
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Quote: The twisted cannot be straightened! The missing cannot be counted (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People cannot straighten things that are twisted! They cannot count what is not there”
Ecclesiastes 1:16
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Quote: I have spoken to my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I have spoken to myself”
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Quote: My mind has seen (0)Here the author refers to himself by his “mind” to emphasize what he has learned. Alternate translation: “I have gained” or “I have learned”
Ecclesiastes 1:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I applied my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I determined” or “I applied myself”
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Quote: madness and folly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The words “madness” and “folly” share similar meanings and refer to foolish thinking and behavior, respectively.
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Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author says learning wisdom and madness and folly is as useless as trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 2
Ecclesiastes 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:10–16.
Special concepts in this chapter
Pleasures
When the author thought about the pointlessness of life, he decided to fill it with pointless pleasures. He believed that this type of living would have no effect on the world. Therefore, he indulged in every type of pleasure.
Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter
Assumed knowledge
It is assumed that the author is going to reject the way of living in this chapter. He is certainly not encouraging this way of living even though he does not say this explicitly. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 2:1
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Quote: I said in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I said to myself”
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Quote: I will test you with happiness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
Here the word “you” refers to himself. The word “happiness” can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “I will test myself with things that make me happy”
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Quote: So enjoy pleasure (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “pleasure” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “So I will enjoy things that please me”
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Quote: this also was just a temporary breeze (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of how happiness only lasts for a short time as if it were a temporary breeze. Alternate translation: “this also only lasted for a short time, like a temporary breeze”
Ecclesiastes 2:2
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Quote: I said about laughter, “It is crazy,” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
The direct quotation can be translated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “I said that it is crazy to laugh at things”
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Quote: What use is it? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses a rhetorical question to emphasize that pleasure is useless. Alternate translation: “It is useless.”
Ecclesiastes 2:3
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Quote: I explored in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of thinking hard for a long time as if it were exploring. Also, the author speaks of his feelings and his thoughts as if they were his “heart.” Alternate translation: “I thought hard about” (See also: Metonymy)
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Quote: to gratify my desires with wine (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “desires” may be expressed as a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “to use wine to make myself happy”
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Quote: I let my mind guide me with wisdom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here the author speaks of using the wisdom that he had been taught to guide himself as if this wisdom were a person who guided him. Alternate translation: “I thought about the things that wise people had taught me”
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Quote: under heaven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to things that are done on earth. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
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Quote: during the days of their lives (0)Alternate translation: “during the time that they are alive”
Ecclesiastes 2:4
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Quote: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The writer probably told people to do the work. Alternate translation: “I had people build houses and plant vineyards for me”
Ecclesiastes 2:5
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Quote: I built for myself gardens and parks; I planted (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The writer probably told people to do the work. Alternate translation: “I had people build for me gardens and parks; I had them plant”
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Quote: gardens and parks (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two words share similar meanings and refer to beautiful orchards of fruit trees.
Ecclesiastes 2:6
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Quote: I created (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The writer probably told people to do the work. Alternate translation: “I had them create”
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Quote: to water a forest (0)Alternate translation: “to provide water for a forest”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: forest where trees were grown (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “forest where trees grew”
Ecclesiastes 2:7
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Quote: I had slaves born in my palace (0)Alternate translation: “I had slaves that were born in my palace” or “My slaves bore children and they also were my slaves”
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Quote: much more than any king (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The understood verb may be supplied. Alternate translation: “much more than any other king had”
Ecclesiastes 2:8
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Quote: the treasures of kings and provinces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the gold and other wealth that neighboring countries were forced to pay to the king of Israel. Alternate translation: “that I acquired from the treasures of kings and the rulers of provinces”
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Quote: provinces (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “provinces” represents the rulers of the provinces. Alternate translation: “the rulers of provinces”
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Quote: the delights of the children of humanity—and many concubines (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he had many concubines that he enjoyed sleeping with, as any man enjoys sleeping with women. Alternate translation: “I greatly enjoyed many concubines, as would delight any man”
Ecclesiastes 2:9
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Quote: than all who were before me in Jerusalem (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to all the previous rulers of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “than all the kings who had ruled before me in Jerusalem”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my wisdom remained with me (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. “I continued to act wisely” or “I continued to be wise”
Ecclesiastes 2:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whatever my eyes desired … from them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “eyes” to emphasize what he sees. Alternate translation: “Whatever I saw and desired … from myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I did not withhold from them (0)This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: “I got for them”
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Quote: I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his desires. This can be stated positively and the word “pleasure” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “I did not keep myself from any pleasure” or “I allowed myself to enjoy everything that made me happy” (See also: Abstract Nouns)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my heart rejoiced (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his desires. Alternate translation: “I rejoiced”
Ecclesiastes 2:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the deeds that my hands had accomplished (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “hands.” Alternate translation: “all that I had accomplished”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were “vapor.” See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author says that everything that people do is as useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There was no profit under the sun in it (0)Alternate translation: “But it had no profit under the sun”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 2:12
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Quote: madness and folly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The words “madness” and “folly” have similar meanings and refer to foolish thinking and behavior, respectively. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:17.
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Quote: For what can the next king do who comes after the king, which has not already been done? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize his point that the next king will not be able to do anything more valuable that what he had already done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “For the next king who comes after the king can do nothing that a king before him has not already done.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the next king … who comes after the king (0)Alternate translation: “the king … who succeeds the current king” or “the next king … who comes after me”
Ecclesiastes 2:13
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Quote: wisdom has advantages over folly, just as light is better than darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of how wisdom is better than folly by comparing it to how light is better than darkness.
Ecclesiastes 2:14
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Quote: The wise man uses his eyes in his head to see where he is going (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of a wise man making wise decisions as walking and paying attention to where he is going. Alternate translation: “The wise man is like a person who uses his eyes to see where he is going”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: uses his eyes in his head to see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “pays attention and looks to see”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the fool walks in darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This compares a fool making bad decisions to someone walking in darkness. Alternate translation: “the fool is like a person who walks in the dark”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the same event (0)death
Ecclesiastes 2:15
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Quote: I said in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I said to myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So what difference does it make if I am very wise? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no benefit to being wise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “So it makes no difference if I am very wise.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I concluded in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I concluded”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is only vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“is only mist.” The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were “vapor.” See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “is as useless as vapor” or “is meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 2:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For the wise man, like the fool, is not remembered for very long (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People do not remember the wise man for very long, just as they do not remember the fool for very long”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: everything will have been long forgotten (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will have long forgotten everything”
Ecclesiastes 2:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: all the work done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “all the work that people do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: was evil to me (0)Alternate translation: “troubled me”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were “vapor.” See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author says everything that people do is as useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as trying to control the wind”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 2:18
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Quote: to the man who comes after me (0)Alternate translation: “to the man who inherits it after me”
Ecclesiastes 2:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one knows the character the man who will inherit his wealth. Alternate translation: “For no one knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he will be (0)The word “he” refers to the author’s heir.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that my work and wisdom have built (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the author’s “work” and “wisdom” represent himself and the things he did in his wisdom. He probably had help with the literal buildings. Alternate translation: “that I worked very hard and wisely to build”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were mist. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 2:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: my heart began to despair (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I began to despair” or “I began to lose all hope”
Ecclesiastes 2:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who works with wisdom, with knowledge, and skill (0)Alternate translation: “who works wisely and skillfully, using the things that he has learned”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who has not made any of it (0)Alternate translation: “who has not worked for any of it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were mist. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a great tragedy (0)Alternate translation: “a great disaster”
Ecclesiastes 2:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For what profit does the person gain who works so hard and tries in his heart to complete his labors under the sun? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses a rhetorical question to emphasize that the man who works hard gains nothing. Translate “what profit does … gain” as you did in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “For the person who works so hard and tries in his heart to complete his labors under the sun gains nothing.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: works so hard and tries in his heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize how strenuously the person works.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: tries in his heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “tries anxiously”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 2:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: painful and stressful (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two words mean basically the same thing and emphasize how difficult the person’s work is.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his soul does not find rest (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here man’s mind is referred to as his “soul” to emphasize his deep thoughts. Alternate translation: “his mind does not rest” or “he continues to worry” (See also: Metonymy)
Ecclesiastes 2:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: God’s hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here God is represented by his “hand” to emphasize how he provides for people. Alternate translation: “from God”
Ecclesiastes 2:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For who can eat or who can have any kind of pleasure apart from God? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no pleasure can be had without God’s provision. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “For no one can eat or have any kind of pleasure apart from God.”
Ecclesiastes 2:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so that he may give it away to someone who pleases God (0)Possible meanings for the word he are: (1) God or (2) the sinner. This also can be translated without making it clear who it is that gives the things that the sinner stored. Alternate translation: “so that the one who pleases God may have it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were “vapor.” See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 3
Ecclesiastes 3 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:1–8 and 3:15.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Parallelism
The chapter uses parallelism with the phrase, “a time to.” This gives the quotation a poetic style. Their overall purpose is to show that Yahweh directs the events of the world and therefore, they have purpose.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismGeneral Information:
The writer uses merisms to describe various aspects of life from one extreme to the other.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For everything there is an appointed time, and a season for every purpose (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under heaven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 3:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a time to pull up plants (0)This could mean: (1) “a time to harvest” or (2) “a time to uproot.”
Ecclesiastes 3:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: embrace (0)to hold someone in your arms to show love or friendship
Ecclesiastes 3:8
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merismGeneral Information:
The writer concludes using merisms to describe various aspects of life from one extreme to the other.
Ecclesiastes 3:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What profit does the worker gain in his labor? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This is a thought provoking question to focus the reader on the next discussion topic. Translate “what profit does … gain” as you did in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “The worker gains no profit for his labor.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: God has made everything suitable for its own time (0)“God has fixed a time that is right for everything to happen” or “God has set a time that is right for each thing to happen:
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: placed eternity in their hearts (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “their” refers to human beings. Here the “hearts” of the people represent their thoughts and desires. Alternate translation: “placed eternity in the hearts of human beings” or “caused people to think about eternal things”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from their beginning all the way to their end (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to the beginning and the end and all that is in between.
Ecclesiastes 3:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: should understand how to enjoy (0)Alternate translation: “should learn how to enjoy” or “should enjoy”
Ecclesiastes 3:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Nothing can be added to it or taken away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “No one can add anything to or take anything away from it”
Ecclesiastes 3:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I have seen the wickedness … wickedness was there (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize how common wicked behavior is.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in place of righteousness (0)Alternate translation: “where there should be righteousness”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 3:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I said in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I said to myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the righteous and the wicked (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
This refers to righteous and wicked people. Alternate translation: “those who are righteous and those who are wicked” or “the righteous people and the wicked people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every matter and every deed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and refer to every action that people do.
Ecclesiastes 3:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I said in my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “I said to myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they are like animals (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Here the author says that human beings are like animals. In the next verse the author explains clearly how humans are like animals.
Ecclesiastes 3:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is the same fate for them (0)Alternate translation: “is the same for both of them” or “is the same”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The breath is the same for all of them (0)Alternate translation: “All of them breathe same”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There is no advantage for mankind over the animals (0)Alternate translation: “Mankind is no better off than the animals”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is not everything just a breath? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the author speaks of everything being as temporary as if it were a breath of air. The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that everything is temporary. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Everything is just a breath.” or “Everything is as temporary as a breath.” (See also: Rhetorical Question)
Ecclesiastes 3:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Everything is going to the same place (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that all people and all animals die and decay and become part of the soil. Alternate translation: “Everything dies and goes to the same place”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: dust (0)soil
Ecclesiastes 3:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who knows whether the spirit … into the earth? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author asks this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one truly knows what happens after people and animals die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one knows whether the spirit … into the earth.”
Ecclesiastes 3:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there is nothing better for anyone than to (0)See how you translated this phrase in Ecclesiastes 3:12.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who can bring him back to see what happens after him? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one will see what happens after he dies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one of us knows what happens to us after we die.”
Ecclesiastes 4
Ecclesiastes 4 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 4:1–3, 4:5–6, and 4:8–12.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Irony
The teacher looks at the oppression in the world and is saddened by it, but he is the king and has the power to change things. He also laments being alone even though he has many wives, children, and concubines. (See: INVALID bible/other/oppress and lament, lamentation and Irony)
Ecclesiastes 4:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: behold, the tears (0)Alternate translation: “I looked and I saw”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the tears of oppressed people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “tears” represent weeping. Alternate translation: “the oppressed people were weeping”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Power was in the hand of their oppressors (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This means that their oppressors were powerful. Here their “hand” represents what thet possess. Alternate translation: “Their oppressors were powerful”
Ecclesiastes 4:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the living, who are still alive (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
The word “living” is a nominal adjective that refers to people who are living. The phrase “those who are still alive” means the same thing as “the living.” Alternate translation: “the people who are still alive” (See also: Nominal Adjectives)
Ecclesiastes 4:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: more fortunate than both of them is the one who has not yet lived (0)Alternate translation: “the one who has not yet been born is better off than both of them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: both of them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to those who are dead and to those who are alive. Alternate translation: “both those who are dead and those who are living”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 4:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: became the envy of one’s neighbor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “envy” may be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “made one’s neighbor envious”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the envy of one’s neighbor (0)This could mean: (1) The neighbor envies the object his neighbor made, or (2) the neighbor envies the skills his neighbor has.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 4:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The fool folds his hands and does not work (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
To fold the hands is a gesture of laziness and is another way of saying that the person refuses to work. Alternate translation: “The fool refuses to work” (See also: Parallelism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so his food is his own flesh (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of a person destroying himself as if he were eating his own body. Alternate translation: “as a result, he causes his own ruin” or “and as a result, he destroys himself”
Ecclesiastes 4:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a handful (0)Alternate translation: “a small amount”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: two handfuls (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“a large amount.” It is understood that this refer to profit gained. Alternate translation: “two handfuls of profit” or “a large amount of profit”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that tries to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated a similar phrase in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “that is as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 4:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: futility (0)being useless, without profit
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: more vanishing vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“more vanishing mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated “vapor” in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “more things that are as useless as vapor” or “more meaningless things”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 4:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: no son or brother (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This person has no family. Alternate translation: “he has no family”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his eyes are not satisfied (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the whole person is represented by his “eyes” to emphasize his desires. Alternate translation: “he is not satisfied”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure (0)Alternate translation: “Will anyone benefit from me working hard and not enjoying myself”
Ecclesiastes 4:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sorrow follows the one who is alone when he falls (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Here sorrow is spoken of as if it were a person that could follow someone else. Alternate translation: “the one who is alone when he falls is sorrowful”
Ecclesiastes 4:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If two lie down together, they can be warm (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The writer speaks of two people keeping each other warm on a cold night. Alternate translation: “If two people lie down together at night, they can be warm”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: how can one be warm alone? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This refers to a person lying down. The author use this rhetorical question to emphasize that two people can keep each other warm but one person cannot. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “a person cannot be warm when he is alone.” or “a person who lies down alone cannot be warm.” (See also: Ellipsis)
Ecclesiastes 4:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: One man alone can be overpowered (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone can overpower a person who is alone”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but two (0)Alternate translation: “but two people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: withstand an attack (0)Alternate translation: “defend themselves against an attack”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a three-strand rope (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of three people together being stronger as if they were a three-strand rope. Alternate translation: “three people are even stronger, like a three-strand rope that”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a three-strand rope is not quickly broken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people cannot easily break a rope made with three strands”
Ecclesiastes 4:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wise youth (0)Alternate translation: “wise young man”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who no longer knows how (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here knowing represents willingness. Alternate translation: “who is no longer willing”
Ecclesiastes 4:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: from prison (0)Alternate translation: “after being in prison”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he was born poor in his kingdom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he had poor parents. Alternate translation: “he was born to poor parents who lived in the land that he will someday rule”
Ecclesiastes 4:15
General Information:
Instead of choosing the wise youth, the people choose the king’s son, who may not be any wiser.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: alive … walking around (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
The words “alive” and “walking around” mean basically the same thing and are combined to emphasize living people.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 4:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There is no end to all the people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
This is an exaggeration used to emphasize a large number of people. Alternate translation: “There are very many people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 5
Ecclesiastes 5 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 5:2–3, and 5:10–17.
Special concepts in this chapter
Materialism
The author describes the pointlessness of pursuing material things. This is known as “materialism.” Those who pursue after things will always want more. At the end of their life, they will not be able to use these things.
Ecclesiastes 5:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Guard your steps (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “steps” are a metonym for a person’s conduct. Alternate translation: “Be careful how you conduct yourself”
Ecclesiastes 5:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not be too quick … do not let your heart be too quick (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that you should think first before you speak to God about a matter.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to speak with your mouth (0)Here the phrase “with your mouth” emphasizes and describes a person speaking. Alternate translation: “to speak”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: do not let your heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a person is represented by his “heart” to emphasize his emotions and desires. Alternate translation: “do not”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: let your words be few (0)Alternate translation: “do not say too much”
Ecclesiastes 5:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: do not delay to do it, for God has no pleasure in fools (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that it is foolish to delay in fulfilling a vow that you have made to God. Alternate translation: “do not foolishly delay in doing it, because God is not pleased with foolish people”
Ecclesiastes 5:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a person’s “mouth” represents a person’s speech, and the person himself is represented by his “flesh.” Alternate translation: “Do not let what you say cause you to sin” (See also: Synecdoche)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that it is foolish to make a vow that you will not keep. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “It would be foolish to make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: destroy the work of your hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a person is represented by his “hands.” Alternate translation: “destroy everything you do”
Ecclesiastes 5:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For in many dreams, as in many words, there is meaningless vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of things as being useless and futile as if they were vapor. See how you translated “vapor” in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “For many dreams and many words are as useless as vapor”
Ecclesiastes 5:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the poor being oppressed and robbed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people oppressing the poor and robbing them”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the poor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
This refers to poor people. Alternate translation: “those who are poor” or “poor people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: just and right treatment (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The words “just” and “right” mean basically the same thing and refer to the kind of treatment that people deserve. Alternate translation: “fair treatment”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: do not be astonished as if no one knows, because there are people (0)“do not be surprised, for there are people
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there are people in power (0)Alternate translation: “there are people with authority”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: even higher ones over them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
There are other men who rule over the men in authority. Alternate translation: “men who have even more authority than they do”
Ecclesiastes 5:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the produce of the land … produce from the fields (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “produce” may be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “the food that the land produces … crops from the fields”
Ecclesiastes 5:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were mist. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 5:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As prosperity increases (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “prosperity” may be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “As a person becomes more prosperous”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so also do the people who consume it (0)This could mean: (1) “so also the person spends more money” or (2) “so also there will be more people who use his wealth.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who consume it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of people spending wealth as if they were “eating” it. Alternate translation: “who use it”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What advantage in wealth is there to the owner except to watch it with his eyes? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that the wealthy do not benefit from their wealth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The only benefit that the owner has from wealth is that he can look at it”
Ecclesiastes 5:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The sleep of a working man is sweet (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of a person’s sleep being fulfilling and peaceful as if it were sweet like something he eats. Alternate translation: “The sleep of a working man is peaceful”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whether he eats little or a lot (0)Alternate translation: “whether he eats a little bit of food or a lot of food”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but the wealth of a rich person does not allow him to sleep well (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“but the wealth of a rich person keeps him awake at night.” This speaks of a rich person not being able to sleep because he is worried about his money as if his money were a person that would not allow him to sleep. Alternate translation: “but rich people do not sleep well because they worry about their money”
Ecclesiastes 5:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: riches hoarded by the owner (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “an owner hoards riches”
Ecclesiastes 5:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: through bad luck (0)This could mean: (1) “through misfortune” or (2) “through a bad business deal.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his own son, one whom he has fathered, is left with nothing in his hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the phrase “in his hands” represents ownership. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he leaves no possession for his own son” (See also: Active or Passive)
Ecclesiastes 5:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As a man comes from his mother’s womb … he will leave naked (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
It is implied that a man is naked when he is born. In addition to being without clothing, here the word “naked” emphasizes that people are born without any possessions. Alternate translation: “As a man is naked and owns nothing when he is born … he will leave this life the same way”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: comes from his mother’s womb (0)Alternate translation: “is born”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he will leave (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This refers to dying. Alternate translation: “he will die”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: He can take none of the fruits of his labor in his hand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a man’s possessions are spoken of as if they are fruit that he grew with his labor. Alternate translation: “He can not take any of his possessions with him”
Ecclesiastes 5:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: as a person comes, so he goes away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the birth and death of a person and expresses the same idea as the previous verse. This refers to women as well as men. Alternate translation: “as people bring nothing into the world when they are born, so they take nothing with them when they die and leave this world” (See also: When Masculine Words Include Women)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: So what profit is there for him who works for the wind? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The writer uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no benefit in working for the wind. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one gets any profit in working for the wind.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: works for the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean: (1) This speaks of the person receiving no lasting profit as if he were trying to control the wind. Alternate translation: “tries to shepherd the wind” or “work that is as useless as trying to shepherd the wind” or (2) This implies that the person only receives the air that he breaths as his profit. Alternate translation: “works to receive the air he breathes” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 5:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: During his days he eats with darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of a person mourning throughout his life as if he always ate in darkness. Here “darkness” represents sadness and mourning. Alternate translation: “He spends his life in mourning and sadness”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his days (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a person’s “days” represent his life. Alternate translation: “his life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is greatly distressed with sickness and anger (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The words “sickness” and “anger” can be expressed as adjectives. Alternate translation: “suffers greatly, being sick and angry”
Ecclesiastes 5:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Look (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The author uses this word here to draw his reader’s attention to what he says next. Alternate translation: “Pay attention” or “Listen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what I have seen to be good and suitable (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
Here the words “good” and “suitable” mean basically the same thing. The second intensifies the meaning of the first. Alternate translation: “what I have seen to be the best thing to do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: during the days of this life that God has given us (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “as long as God allows us to live”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For this is man’s assignment (0)This could mean: (1) “For this is man’s reward” or (2) “For these are the things that he allows man to do”
Ecclesiastes 5:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: riches and wealth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two words mean basically the same thing. They refer to money and the things that a person can buy with money.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to receive his share (0)Alternate translation: “to accept what he is given”
Ecclesiastes 5:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he does not call to mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here the word “he” refers to the person to whom God has given a gift. The phrase “call to mind” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “he does not remember” or “he does not think about”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the days of his life (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to the things that happened during his lifetime. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “the things that have happened during his lifetime”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: keep busy (0)Alternate translation: “stay busy”
Ecclesiastes 6
Ecclesiastes 6 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 6:7–11.
Special concepts in this chapter
Satisfaction
While a person may be given a great many things, they are worthless and provide no sense of satisfaction or peace. It is assumed that only Yahweh can provide these things to man. Solomon is depressed that he had everything he could have ever wanted in life, but they were not enough to give him satisfaction or peace. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 6:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it weighs heavy on men (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here evil is spoken of as something that is a heavy load to carry. Alternate translation: “it causes hardship for people”
Ecclesiastes 6:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: riches, wealth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two words mean basically the same thing. They refer to money and the things that a person can buy with money.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he lacks nothing (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
This is a double negative. Alternate translation: “he has everything”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: God gives him no ability (0)Alternate translation: “does not give him the ability”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were mist. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 6:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fathers a hundred children (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“fathers 100 children.” This is a hypothetical situation. This is also an exaggeration and is applicable to people with fewer than 100 children. Alternate translation: “fathers many children” (See also: Hypothetical Situations and Hyperbole)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: lives many years, so that the days of his years are many (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis. Alternate translation: “lives many years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his heart is not satisfied with good (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to a man by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. Alternate translation: “he is not content with good things”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he is not buried (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This could mean: (1) “no one buries him at all” or (2) he receives no honor, “no one buries him properly.” (See also: or Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 6:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: such a baby is born in futility (0)Alternate translation: “such a baby is born for nothing”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: passes away in darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This speaks of the death of the baby being as unexplainable as “darkness.” Alternate translation: “dies unexplainably”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: its name remains hidden (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of no one knowing the baby’s name as if it were a hidden object. Alternate translation: “no one knows its name”
Ecclesiastes 6:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Even if a man should live for two thousand years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo
This is a hypothetical situation. This is also an exaggeration to show that it does not matter how long a person lives if he does not enjoy the good things in life. (See also: Hyperbole)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: two thousand years (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“2,000 years”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: he goes to the same place as everyone else (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This means that he dies like all other people. Alternate translation: “he dies and go to the same place as everyone else” or “he goes to the grave just like everyone else”
Ecclesiastes 6:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is for his mouth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here putting food in a man’s mouth represents feeding him. Alternate translation: “is to put food in his mouth” or “is to feed him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his appetite is not satisfied (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “he does not satisfy his appetite”
Ecclesiastes 6:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what advantage has the wise person over the fool? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that a wise person does not have any more lasting benefits than a fool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “it seems the wise person has no advantage over the fool.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What advantage does the poor man have even if he knows how to act in front of other people? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that a poor man does not have any more lasting benefits than someone else. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “The poor man has no advantage even if he knows how to act in front of other people.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: how to act (0)Alternate translation: “how to conduct himself”
Ecclesiastes 6:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what the eyes see (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
A person can see these things because he already has them. Alternate translation: “what a person has”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to desire what a wandering appetite craves (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This refers to things that a person wants but does not have. Alternate translation: “to want what he does not have”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor … an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: an attempt to shepherd the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “are as useless as trying to control the wind”
Ecclesiastes 6:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whatever has existed has already been given its name (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People have already named everything that exists”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what mankind is like has already been known (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people already know what mankind is like”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the one who is the mighty judge (0)Alternate translation: “God, who is the mighty judge”
Ecclesiastes 6:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The more words that are spoken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The more words that people speak”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the more futility increases (0)The more a person speaks, the more likely he will speak about meaningless things. Alternate translation: “the more meaningless those words are”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: futility (0)being useless, without profit
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what advantage is that to a man? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no advantage for a man to talk a lot. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “that is no advantage to a man.”
Ecclesiastes 6:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For who knows what is good for man … he passes like a shadow? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no person truly knows what is good for man. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one knows what is good for man … he passes like a shadow.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in his life during his futile, numbered days through which he passes like a shadow (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of how life passes quickly by saying that it is like a shadow that quickly disappears. The phrase “numbered days” emphasizes that a person’s life is short. Alternate translation: “during his futile, short life, which he passes through as quickly as a shadow passes by”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who can tell a man … after he passes? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one knows what will happen after a person dies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can tell a man … after he passes.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what will come under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated “under the sun” in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “what will happen on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: after he passes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This is a polite expression for death. Alternate translation: “after he dies”
Ecclesiastes 7
Ecclesiastes 7 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 7:1–26.
Special concepts in this chapter
Advice
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice in these statements do not apply in every situation. Therefore, they should be seen as “good ideas.”
Ecclesiastes 7:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: A good name (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a person’s “name” is used to represent their reputation. Alternate translation: “A good reputation”
Ecclesiastes 7:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: must take this to heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “must think seriously about this”
Ecclesiastes 7:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: sadness of face (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to being sad. Alternate translation: “an experience that makes a person sad”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gladness of heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the word heart refers to a person’s thoughts and emotions. Gladness describes either: (1) the state of the emotions of being happy and peaceful or (2) the ability to understand the truth. Alternate translation: “right thinking”
Ecclesiastes 7:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here wise people are referred to by their “hearts.” This speaks of the wise person mourning as being in a house of mourning. Alternate translation: “Wise people think deeply about death” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: but the heart of fools is in the house of feasting (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here foolish people are referred to by their “hearts.” This speaks of foolish people thinking only about what makes them happy as being in a house of feasting. Alternate translation: “but foolish people think only about enjoying themselves” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house of mourning … the house of feasting (0)These phrases refer to what happens in these places.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to the rebuke of the wise (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “rebuke” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “when wise people rebuke you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: to listen to the song of fools (0)Alternate translation: “to listen to fools sing”
Ecclesiastes 7:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so also is the laughter of fools (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of how listening to fools talk and laugh will teach you nothing, as if their speech and laughter were the sound of burning thorns. Alternate translation: “For listening to the laughter of fools will not teach a man any more than if he were listening to the crackling of thorns burning under a pot”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were mist. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “as useless as vapor” or “meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 7:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Extortion (0)This refers to forcing someone to give money or other valuable items to another so that the other person does not harm him. It is considered wrong.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: makes a wise man foolish (0)This could mean: (1) “turns the wise man into a foolish man” or (2) “makes the advice of the wise man appear to be foolish advice.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: corrupts the heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” refers to the mind. Alternate translation: “ruins a person’s ability to think and judge rightly”
Ecclesiastes 7:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the people patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “spirit” refers to a person’s attitude. Alternate translation: “patient people are better than proud people” or “a patient attitude is better than a prideful attitude”
Ecclesiastes 7:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not be quick to anger in your spirit (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “spirit” refers to a person’s attitude. Alternate translation: “Do not become angry quickly” or “Do not have a bad temper”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: anger resides in the hearts of fools (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of a person being full of anger as if the anger lived inside him. This speaks of the anger being in the person’s heart because the “heart” is thought to be the source of a person’s emotions. Alternate translation: “foolish people are full of anger”
Ecclesiastes 7:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why were the days of old better than these? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The person asks this rhetorical question in order to complain about the present time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “Things were better in the past than they are now.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it is not because of wisdom that you ask this question (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-irony
Here the author uses irony to rebuke the person’s question. Alternate translation: “if you were wise you would not ask this question”
Ecclesiastes 7:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: those who see the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “those who are alive”
Ecclesiastes 7:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life (0)This could mean: (1) that the writer uses the words “knowledge” and “wisdom” to mean the same thing, or (2) “the advantage of knowing wisdom is that it gives life.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: gives life to whoever has it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This speaks of how wisdom helps to preserve a person’s life as if it gave life to that person. When a person is wise he makes good decisions that help him to live a more prosperous and longer life. Alternate translation: “preserves a person’s life” or “helps a person to make good decisions and to live a longer life”
Ecclesiastes 7:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who can straighten out anything he has made crooked? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one can change something that God has done. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can straighten out anything he has made crooked.”
Ecclesiastes 7:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When times are good … when times are bad (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The word “times” is an idiom for “things happening.” Alternate translation: “When good things happen … when bad things happen”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: live happily in that good (0)Alternate translation: “be happy about those good things”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: both to exist side by side (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “side by side” is an idiom that means “this one” and “this one.” Alternate translation: “both to exist” or “there to be both good and bad”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: anything that is coming after him (0)This could mean: (1) “anything that happens in the future” or (2) “anything that happens to him after he dies.”
Ecclesiastes 7:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in my meaningless days (0)Alternate translation: “in my meaningless life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in spite of their righteousness (0)Alternate translation: “even though they are righteous”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in spite of their evil (0)Alternate translation: “even though they are evil”
Ecclesiastes 7:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: self-righteous, wise in your own eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not be self-righteous (0)Alternate translation: “Do not think that you are more righteous than you actually are”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wise in your own eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “being wise in your own opinion” or “being wise according to your own judgement”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why should you destroy yourself? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The writer uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that being self-righteous destroys a person. Alternate translation: “There is no reason to destroy yourself.” or “If you think this way you will destroy yourself.”
Ecclesiastes 7:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Why should you die before your time? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that there is no reason for people to do things that will cause them to die early. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “There is no reason for you to die sooner than you should.”
Ecclesiastes 7:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: take hold of this wisdom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of striving to be wise as if “wisdom” were an object that a person could hold on to. Alternate translation: “commit yourself to this wisdom”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you should not let go of righteousness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of striving to be righteous as if “righteousness” were an object that a person could hold on to. Alternate translation: “you should not stop trying to be righteous” or “you should keep trying to be righteous”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: will meet all his obligations (0)Alternate translation: “will do everything that God expects of him”
Ecclesiastes 7:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Wisdom is powerful in the wise man, more than ten rulers in a city (0)Alternate translation: “Wisdom makes a man powerful; it makes him more powerful than ten rulers in a city”
Ecclesiastes 7:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: does good and never sins (0)Alternate translation: “does good things and does not sin”
Ecclesiastes 7:21
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every word that is spoken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be written in active form. Alternate translation: “everything that people say”
Ecclesiastes 7:22
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: you know yourself (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns
“you yourself know.” Here “yourself” is used to emphasize the phrase “you know.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in your own heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a person’s thoughts are represented by their “heart.” Alternate translation: “in your own thoughts”
Ecclesiastes 7:23
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: All this have I proven (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
here the word “this” refers to all of the things the author has written about. Alternate translation: “All this that I have already written about have I proven”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it was more than I could be (0)Alternate translation: “it was beyond my ability to understand” or “but I was not able to do it”
Ecclesiastes 7:24
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: far off and very deep (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This speaks of wisdom being difficult to understand as if it were something located far away or in a very deep place. Alternate translation: “difficult to understand”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who can find it? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The writer uses this rhetorical question to emphasize the difficulty in understanding wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can understand it.”
Ecclesiastes 7:25
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I turned my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” refers to the mind. Also, here the word “turned” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “I directed my thoughts” or “I determined” (See also: Idiom)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the explanations of reality (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
“the reason for things.” This word “explanations” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “how to explain various things in life”
Ecclesiastes 7:26
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: any woman whose heart is full of snares and nets, and whose hands are chains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The writer says that the seductive woman is like traps that hunters use to catch animals. The author speaks of a woman being seductive as if she traps men like a hunter traps animals. Her “heart” represents her thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: “any woman who traps men by seducing them” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: snares and nets (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two words both refer to ways in which people trap animals to emphasize how the woman traps men.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whose hands are chains (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the word “hands” refers to her power and control. This speaks of her being seductive as if hands were chains that she bound people with. Alternate translation: “from whom no one can escape” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the sinner will be taken by her (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “she will capture the sinner”
Ecclesiastes 7:27
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: adding one discovery to another (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “discovery” can be expressed as a verb. The word “adding” here is used as an idiom. Alternate translation: “discovering one thing after another” (See also: Idiom)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in order to find an explanation of reality (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
This word “explanation” can be expressed as a verb. See how the phrase “explanations of reality” is translated in Ecclesiastes 7:25. Alternate translation: “in order to be able to explain things in life”
Ecclesiastes 7:28
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: one righteous man among a thousand (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“1 righteous man among 1,000.” Only one righteous man was found in a group of 1,000 people.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a woman among all those (0)There were no righteous women found in a group of 1,000 people.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they have gone away looking for many difficulties (0)This could mean: (1) “they have made many sinful plans” or (2) “they have made their own lives difficult.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they have gone away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here the word “they” refers to “humanity.” This speaks of humanity changing from being upright to not being upright as if they were going from one place to another.
Ecclesiastes 8
Ecclesiastes 8 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 8:1 and 8:5–8.
Special concepts in this chapter
Wisdom
Solomon, known for his wisdom, gives a detailed description of wisdom. True wisdom is seeking to honor God. This is the only thing that lasts. (See: wise, wisdom)
Ecclesiastes 8:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who is a wise man? Who knows what the events in life mean? (0)The writer asks these as leading questions to provide the answer in what he says next.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: causes his face to shine (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This means that the person’s face will show that he has wisdom. Alternate translation: “shows on his face”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the hardness of his face (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “his harsh appearance”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is changed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “changes”
Ecclesiastes 8:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: God’s oath to protect him (0)Alternate translation: “the oath you made before God to protect him”
Ecclesiastes 8:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Do not hurry out of his presence (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean: (1) not to be hasty to physically leave the king’s presence or (2) This is a metaphor that speaks of being loyal to the king as being in his presence. Alternate translation: “Do not abandon the king”
Ecclesiastes 8:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The king’s word rules (0)Alternate translation: “What the king says is the law”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who will say to him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question emphasizes that no one will ask the king the following question. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “no one can say to him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: What are you doing? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question is a rebuke. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should not be doing what you are doing.”
Ecclesiastes 8:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: A wise man’s heart recognizes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a man is represented by his “heart” to emphasize his thoughts. Alternate translation: “A wise man recognizes”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the proper course and time of action (0)Alternate translation: “the correct time to do things and the right way to do them”
Ecclesiastes 8:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who can tell him what is coming? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
This rhetorical question emphasizes that no one knows what will happen in the future. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one can tell him what is coming.”
Ecclesiastes 8:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: No one is ruler over his breath so as to stop the breath … no one has power over the day of his death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Just as no one has the ability to stop himself from breathing, no one can continue living when it is time to die.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: No one is ruler (0)The word “ruler” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “No one has control”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the day of his death (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “when he will die”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: No one is discharged from the army (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “No army discharges anyone” or “No army allows soldiers to leave”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wickedness will not rescue those who are its slaves (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This speaks of wickedness as if it were a master who had slaves. Alternate translation: “evil people will not be saved by doing what is evil”
Ecclesiastes 8:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I have applied my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:17. Alternate translation: “I applied myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: every kind of work that is done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “every kind of work that people do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: There is a time when a person oppresses another person to that person’s hurt (0)Alternate translation: “Sometimes one person will oppress another, causing that person to be hurt”
Ecclesiastes 8:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the wicked buried publicly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Evil people that died were given honorable burials. Alternate translation: “people bury the wicked publicly”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They were taken from the holy area and buried and were praised by people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “People took them from the holy area and buried them and praised them”
Ecclesiastes 8:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: When a sentence against an evil crime is not executed quickly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “When people in authority do not quickly execute a sentence against an evil crime”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: entices the hearts of human beings (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here people are represented by their “hearts” to emphasize their will and desires. Alternate translation: “entices human beings”
Ecclesiastes 8:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a hundred times (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“100 times”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: it will be better for those who respect God (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The phrase “it will be better” is an idiom. Alternate translation: “life will be better for those who respect God”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: who respect God … who stand before him and show him respect (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined to emphasize people respecting God.
Ecclesiastes 8:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his life will not be prolonged (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will not prolong his life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: His days are like a fleeting shadow (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of how the wicked man’s life passes quickly by saying that it is like a shadow that quickly disappears. Alternate translation: “His days will pass as quickly as a shadow disappears”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: His days are (0)Alternate translation: “His life is”
Ecclesiastes 8:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: something else that is done on the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “something else that people do on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: this also is useless vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“this also is useless mist.” The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were ‘vapor.’ See how you translated the word “vapor” in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “this also is as useless as vapor” or “this also is meaningless”
Ecclesiastes 8:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for all the days of his life that God has given him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “for as long as God allows him to live”
Ecclesiastes 8:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I applied my heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the author refers to himself by his “heart” to emphasize his feelings. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:17. Alternate translation: “I applied myself”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the work that is done on the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the work that people do on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: without sleep for the eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a person is represented by his “eyes.” Alternate translation: “without sleeping”
Ecclesiastes 8:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the work that is done under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
This could mean: (1) “the work that God does under the sun” or (2) “the work that God allows people to do under the sun.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 9
Ecclesiastes 9 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 9:2, 5–6, and 11–12.
Special concepts in this chapter
Judgment
This chapter explains that there is one thing that awaits all people: judgment. When people die, they will all face Yahweh’s judgment. (See: judge, judgment)
Ecclesiastes 9:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: I thought about all this in my mind (0)Alternate translation: “I thought very deeply about all this”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: They are all in God’s hands (0)Here the word “they” refers to “the righteous and wise people” as well as “their deeds.”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in God’s hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “hands” refers to power and authority. Alternate translation: “under God’s control”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whether love or hate will come to someone (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This speaks of “love” and “hate” as if they are people that may come to visit someone else. Alternate translation: “whether someone will experience love or hate”
Ecclesiastes 9:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: righteous people and wicked (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of righteous and wicked people.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wicked … the good … the clean and the unclean (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
All of these phrases refer to people. Alternate translation: “wicked people … good people … clean people and unclean people”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the clean and the unclean (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of clean and unclean people.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the clean (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A person who is acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the unclean (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
A person who is not acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the one who sacrifices and the one who does not sacrifice (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of those who sacrifice and those who do not.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As good people … so also will the sinner (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of good people and sinners.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: will the sinner … will the man who fears to make an oath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
It is understood that this refers to people dying. Alternate translation: “the sinner will die … the man who fears to make an oath will die”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the one who swears … so also will the man who fears to make an oath (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
This refers to all people, emphasizing the two opposites of those who swear oaths and those who do not.
Ecclesiastes 9:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: everything that is done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “everything that happens”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the same event (0)death
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The hearts of human beings are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “hearts” refers to the thoughts and emotions. Alternate translation: “Human beings are full of evil, and their thoughts are of madness”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: madness (0)Alternate translation: “folly”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: they go to the dead (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
The phrase “the dead” refers to dead people. Here dead people represent the place where people go after they die. Alternate translation: “they go to the place where dead people are” or “they die and go to the grave” (See also: Metonymy)
Ecclesiastes 9:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the living (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
This refers to people who are alive. Alternate translation: “who are alive”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: just as a living dog is better than a dead lion (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
A “dog” was considered a lowly animal while a lion was considered a noble animal. This speaks of it being better to be lowly and alive than to be considered noble and dead. Alternate translation: “It is better to be lowly like a dog and to be alive than to be noble like a lion and to be dead”
Ecclesiastes 9:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the dead (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
This refers to people who are dead. Alternate translation: “those who are dead”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: their memory is forgotten (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will forget them”
Ecclesiastes 9:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Their love, hatred, and envy (0)This refers to the love, hatred, and envy that the dead people showed others when they were alive.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: anything done (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anything that people do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 9:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases share similar meanings and emphasize the importance of enjoying the basic activities of life.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your bread (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “your food”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: drink your wine with a happy heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” refers to the emotions. Alternate translation: “drink your wine joyfully”
Ecclesiastes 9:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Let your clothes be always white and your head anointed with oil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
Wearing white clothes and anointing one’s head with oil were both signs of gladness and celebration.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your head anointed with oil (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “anoint your head with oil”
Ecclesiastes 9:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Live happily with the wife whom you love (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
One should love the wife he has. Alternate translation: “Since you have a wife whom you love, live happily with her”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: your days (0)Alternate translation: “your lifetime”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: That is your reward (0)The word “that” refers to living happily with his wife.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Whatever your hand finds to do (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a person is represented by his “hand” since a person often uses his hands to work. Alternate translation: “Whatever you are able to do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: there is no work or explanation or knowledge or wisdom (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The nouns “work, “explanation,” and “knowledge” can be expressed as verbs. Alternate translation: “the dead do not work or explain or know or have wisdom”
Ecclesiastes 9:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The race does not belong to … The battle does not belong to (0)Alternate translation: “The race is not always won by … The battle is not always won by”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Bread (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here “Bread” refers to food in general. Alternate translation: “Food”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: time and chance affect them all (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “what happens and when it happens affect them all”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: affect them all (0)“affects all these things.” Here the words “them all” refer to race, battle, bread, riches, and favor.
Ecclesiastes 9:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when his time will come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This refers to when a person dies. Alternate translation: “when he will die” or “when the time of his death will come”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: fish are caught … birds are caught … the children of human beings are ensnared (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of people dying when they do not expect it, in the same way that people catch animals and kill them when they do not expect it.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the children of human beings are ensnared by evil times (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Also, this speaks of people experiencing disaster and unfortunate times as if they were being imprisoned or trapped. Alternate translation: “evil times are coming upon the children of human beings” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: that suddenly fall upon them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “at times when they do not expect them to happen” or “that suddenly happen to them”
Ecclesiastes 9:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 9:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a great king came against it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the “king” represents himself and his whole army. Alternate translation: “a great king and his army”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: great siege ramps (0)This refers to dirt ramps the army built up against the city walk so that they could climb up and attack the city.
Ecclesiastes 9:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: in the city was found a poor, wise man (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “in the city, people found a poor, wise man” or “a poor, wise man lived in the city” (See also: Idiom)
Ecclesiastes 9:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the poor man’s wisdom is despised (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people despise the poor man’s wisdom”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his words are not heard (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they do not listen to what he says” or “they do not take his advice”
Ecclesiastes 9:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The words of wise people spoken quietly are heard better (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
Here “heard” represents understanding. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “It is easier to understands the words that wise people speak quietly”
Ecclesiastes 10
Ecclesiastes 10 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in all of chapter 10.
Special concepts in this chapter
Advice
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice in these statements do not apply in every situation. Therefore, they should be seen as “good ideas.”
Ecclesiastes 10:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As dead flies … so a little folly (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Just as flies can ruin perfume, so folly can ruin a person’s reputation for wisdom and honor. This speaks of how a little folly can ruin a person’s reputation in the same way that a few dead flies ruin perfume.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a little folly can overpower wisdom and honor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
This speaks of how a person acting foolishly can ruin his reputation as if his “folly” and “wisdom and honor” were people and that his folly overpowered his wisdom and honor. Alternate translation: “committing a little folly can ruin a person’s wisdom and honor”
Ecclesiastes 10:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The heart of a wise person … the heart of a fool (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” refers to the mind or will. Alternate translation: “The way a wise person thinks … the way a fool thinks”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: tends to the right … tends to the left (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here the words “right” and “left” refer to what is right and wrong. Alternate translation: “tends to doing what is right … tends to doing what is wrong”
Ecclesiastes 10:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: his thinking is deficient (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to the way that he acts. Alternate translation: “he is stupid”
Ecclesiastes 10:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: If the emotions of a ruler rise up against you (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here a ruler is represented by his “emotions” Alternate translation: “If a ruler becomes angry with you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Calm can quiet down great outrage (0)Alternate translation: “By remaining calm you may cause an outraged person to become quiet”
Ecclesiastes 10:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: under the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:3. Alternate translation: “on the earth”
Ecclesiastes 10:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Fools are given leadership positions (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Rulers give positions of leadership to fools”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: successful men are given low positions (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “they give low positions to successful men”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: low positions (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. AT” “unimportant positions”
Ecclesiastes 10:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: successful men walking like slaves on the ground (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This speaks of successful men walking like slaves walk, because slaves were usually forced to walk and were not permitted to ride.
Ecclesiastes 10:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: a snake can bite him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This refers to a snake that was hiding inside the wall.
Ecclesiastes 10:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: cuts out stones (0)This refers working in a quarry and cutting larger stones.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: can be hurt by them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “those stones can hurt him”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: is endangered by it (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the wood may injure him”
Ecclesiastes 10:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wisdom provides an advantage for success (0)A wise person would have sharpened his blade and would not have had to work so hard.
Ecclesiastes 10:11
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before it is charmed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “before the snake charmer charms it”
Ecclesiastes 10:12
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the wise man’s speech is represented by his “mouth.” Alternate translation: “The things that a wise man says are gracious”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the lips of a fool consume him (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the fool’s speech is represented by his “lips.” This speaks of the fool destroying himself by his speech as if it were eating him. Alternate translation: “The things that a foolish man says destroy him” (See also: Metaphor)
Ecclesiastes 10:13
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As words begin to flow from a fool’s mouth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
A fool’s speech is represented by his “mouth.” Alternate translation: “As a fool begins to speak”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: at the end his mouth flows with wicked madness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
A fool’s speech is represented by his “mouth.” Alternate translation: “as he finishes talking, he speaks wicked madness”
Ecclesiastes 10:14
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: multiplies words (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “keeps on talking”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what is coming (0)Alternate translation: “what will happen in the future”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Who knows what is coming after him? (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The writer asks this question to emphasize that no one knows what will happen in the future after one’s death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one knows what is coming after him.” or “No one knows what will happen after he dies.”
Ecclesiastes 10:15
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wearies them (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Fools become weary by their toil” or “Fools feel tired by the work that they do”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: so that they do not even know the road to town (0)This could mean: (1) “so much that he is unable to find the road to town.” That the foolish person becomes so tired from working too hard that he is unable to find his way anywhere, or (2) “because he does not even know the way to town.” That the foolish person becomes tired from working too hard because he does not know enough to go home.
Ecclesiastes 10:16
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Woe to you, land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
The writer is speaking to the people of the nation as if they were the land itself, and he is speaking to the land as if it were a person. (See also: Personification)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: if your king is a young boy (0)This means that the king is inexperienced or immature.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: begin feasting in the morning (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This implies that the leaders are more concerned with having a good time than with leading the nation.
Ecclesiastes 10:17
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: blessed are you, land (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe
The writer is speaking to the people of the nation as if they were the land itself, and he is speaking to the land as if it were a person. (See also: Personification)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: king is the son of nobles (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This implies that the son has been trained by his elders in the customs of being a good king. Alternate translation: “king has trained by nobles”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for strength, and not for drunkenness (0)This explains why the blessed leaders eat.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Because of laziness the roof sinks in (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
A lazy person does not keep up on the regular house maintenance. Alternate translation: “Because a lazy person does not repair his house, the roof sinks in”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because of idle hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here a person is represented by his “hands” Alternate translation: “because of an idle person” or “because the person is idle”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the house leaks (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here the roof is represented by the whole house. Alternate translation: “the roof leaks”
Ecclesiastes 10:19
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: People prepare food for laughter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “laughter” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “People prepare food in order to laugh”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: wine brings enjoyment to life (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
The word “enjoyment” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “wine helps people to enjoy life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: money fills the need for everything (0)This could mean: (1) “money provides for every need” or (2) “money provides for both food and wine”
Ecclesiastes 10:20
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: not even in your mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
A person’s thoughts are represented by the person’s “mind.” Alternate translation: “not even in your thoughts”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: rich people in your bedroom (0)“rich people when you are in your bedroom.” This means that you should not curse rich people even when you are in a private place where no one else will hear.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: For a bird of the sky … can spread the matter (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two lines mean basically the same thing and are combined for emphasis. This speaks of people finding out what you have said as if a small bird would hear what you say and tell other people. Alternate translation: “For a bird may hear what you say and tell the matter to other people” (See also: Metaphor)
Ecclesiastes 11
Ecclesiastes 11 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in all of chapter 11.
Special concepts in this chapter
Advice
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice in these statements do not apply in every situation. Therefore, they should be seen as “good ideas.”
Ecclesiastes 11:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Send out your bread on the waters, for you will find it again after many days (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor that means a person should be generous with his possessions and will then receive generously from others , or (2) that a person should invest his resources overseas and will make a profit from it.
Ecclesiastes 11:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Share it with seven, even eight people (0)This could mean: (1) to share your possessions with many people, or (2) to invest your resources in multiple places.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: seven, even eight people (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“7, even 8 people.” This is an idiom that means “numerous” people. Alternate translation: “numerous people” or “multiple people” (See also: Idiom)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: what disasters are coming on the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Disasters happening is spoken of as if disasters were something that come to a place. Here “on the earth” may imply that these disasters happen to the person who is commanded to share. Alternate translation: “what disasters may happen in the world” or “what bad things may happen to you” (See also: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 11:3
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the clouds are full of rain (0)Alternate translation: “the clouds are dark with rain”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: empty themselves on the earth (0)Alternate translation: “empty themselves on the ground”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: toward the south or toward the north (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here “south” and “north” represent any direction. Alternate translation: “in any direction”
Ecclesiastes 11:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Anyone who watches the wind might not plant (0)This could mean: (1) “Any farmer who pays attention to the wind will not plant when the wind is blowing in the wrong direction” or (2) “Any farmer who pays too much attention to the wind will never plant”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: anyone who watches the clouds might not harvest (0)This could mean: (1) “Any farmer who pays attention to the clouds will not harvest when it is about to rain” or (2) “Any farmer who pays too much attention to the clouds will never harvest”
Ecclesiastes 11:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: As you do not know the path of the wind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
This speaks of wind blowing as if wind traveled on a path. Alternate translation: “As you do not know where the wind comes from or where it goes”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: how a baby’s bones grow (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
This could mean: (1) Here “bones” is a synecdoche representing the baby as a whole. Alternate translation: “how a baby grows” or (2) literally, “how the bones of a baby grow”
Ecclesiastes 11:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: work with your hands (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “hands” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “keep on working”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whether morning or evening, or this or that (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the person’s work may prosper, no matter what time he has done it. Alternate translation: “whether the seed that you planted in the morning or the seed that you planted in the evening” (See also: Ellipsis)
Ecclesiastes 11:7
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: light is sweet (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “light” refers to being able to see the sun and therefore being alive. And, this speaks of the joy of being alive as if the light had a sweet taste. Alternate translation: “it is a joy to be able to see the sun” or “being alive is delightful” (See also: Metaphor)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for the eyes to see the sun (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The “eyes” represent the whole person. This phrase means basically the same thing as the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “for a person to see the sun” or “to be alive” (See also: Parallelism)
Ecclesiastes 11:8
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: happy in all of them (0)Here the word “them” refers to the years that a person is alive.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the coming days of darkness (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming” And, here the word “darkness” refers to death. Alternate translation: “how many days that he will be dead” (See also: Euphemism)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: for they will be many (0)Here the word “they” refers to the “days of darkness” Alternate translation: “for he will be dead for many more days than he is alive” or “for he will be dead forever”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Everything to come is vanishing vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “vanishing vapor” is a metaphor. This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “No one knows what will happen after he dies” or (2) Alternate translation: “Everything to come is meaningless”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Everything to come (0)This could mean: (1) “Everything that happens after death” or (2) “Everything that happens in the future”
Ecclesiastes 11:9
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Take joy, young man, in your youth, and let your heart be joyful in the days of your youth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are combined to emphasize that the man should be happy while he is young.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: let your heart be joyful (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” represents the emotions. Alternate translation: “be joyful”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Pursue the good desires of your heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “heart” may represent the mind or emotions. Alternate translation: “Pursue the good things that you desire” or “Pursue the good things that you have determined to pursue”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: whatever is within the sight of your eyes (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “eyes” represent the whole person. Alternate translation: “whatever you see that you desire” or “whatever you see to be best”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: God will bring you into judgment for all these things (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word judgment, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “judge” or “make you account” Alternate translation: “God will judge you for all these things” or “God will make you account for all of your actions”
Ecclesiastes 11:10
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Drive anger away from your heart (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Refusing to be angry is spoken of as if anger were something that can be forced away. Also, “heart” represents a person’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Refuse to be angry” (See also: Metonymy)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: because youth and its strength are vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The authors speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were “vapor” Just as vapor disappears and does not last, the author speaks of things having no lasting value. See how you translated “vapor” in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “because youth and its strength will not last forever” or “because you will not be young and strong forever”
Ecclesiastes 12
Ecclesiastes 12 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 12:1–7 and 12:13–14.
Special concepts in this chapter
Advice
This chapter gives a series of disconnected pieces of advice. Translators should not try to smooth the transitions between these pieces of advice. The advice in these statements do not apply in every situation. Therefore, they should be seen as “good ideas.”
Yahweh
At the end of a very impressive life, Solomon looks back and sees that the only real lasting thing in this world is Yahweh. The purpose of his life was to honor Yahweh, something he should have done far more throughout his life. Therefore, he felt that his life was wasted. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Ecclesiastes 12:1
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: call to mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “remember”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before the days of difficulty come (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Future time is spoken of as if the “days are coming” Alternate translation: “before you experience difficult times” or “before bad things happen to you”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before the years arrive when you say, “I have no pleasure in them,” (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Future time is spoken of as if “years arrive” Alternate translation: “before you become old when you say, ‘I no longer enjoy being alive,’”
Ecclesiastes 12:2
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: do this before the light of the sun … after the rain (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Growing old and dying is spoken of as if the sun and moon go dark and dark clouds return. Alternate translation: “do this before it seems to you that the light of the sun … after the rain”
Ecclesiastes 12:3
Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphorGeneral Information:
The writer describes a house in which various activities stop. This appears to be a metaphor for the human body as it becomes old.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: strong men are bent over (0)Alternate translation: “strong men become weak”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the women who grind cease because they are few (0)Alternate translation: “the women who grind grain stop grinding grain because there are few of them”
Ecclesiastes 12:4
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the doors are shut in the street (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people shut the doors that lead to the street”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when men are startled at the voice of a bird (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
It is implied that the voice of the birds startle the men awake. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when the voice of a bird startles men awake” (See also: Active or Passive)
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the singing of girls’ voices fades away (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here “girls” may be a metaphor for the birds. Alternate translation: “the songs of the birds fade away”
Ecclesiastes 12:5
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when the almond tree blossoms (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
The “almond tree” is a tree that blossoms in the winter with white flowers.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when grasshoppers drag themselves along (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
A grasshopper is a large, straight-winged insect with long, jointed back legs that give it the ability to jump a long way. Here it can only drag itself because it has gotten old and weak.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: when natural desires fail (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word desires, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “when people no longer desire what they once did naturally”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Then man goes to his eternal home (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
This refers to death. Alternate translation: “Then man goes to the place of the dead forever” or “Then a person dies and never returns to life”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the mourners go down the streets (0)This could mean: (1) that mourners go down the streets to attend a funeral, or (2) that mourners go down the streets to the house of the person who is about to die.
Ecclesiastes 12:6
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: Call to mind (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “Remember”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: before the silver cord is cut … or the water wheel is broken at the well (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The writer speaks of dying as if it were one of these various broken items. Death will break the body just as suddenly as people accidentally break these items while they are using them.
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: the silver cord is cut (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone cuts the silver cord”
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Quote: the golden bowl is crushed (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone crushes the golden bowl”
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Quote: the pitcher is shattered (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone shatters the pitcher”
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Quote: the water wheel is broken (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone breaks the water wheel”
Ecclesiastes 12:7
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Quote: dust returns to the earth (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word “dust” refers to the human body that has decomposed.
Ecclesiastes 12:8
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Quote: A mist of vapor … everything is vanishing vapor (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The Teacher speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were “vapor.” Just as vapor disappears and does not last, the author speaks of things having no lasting value. See how you translated “vapor” in Ecclesiastes 1:14. Alternate translation: “Temporary and useless … everything is temporary and useless” or “Meaningless … everything is meaningless”
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Quote: the Teacher (0)See how you translated this in Ecclesiastes 1:1.
Ecclesiastes 12:9
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Quote: contemplated and set in order (0)Alternate translation: “thought much about and arranged” or “thought much about and wrote down”
Ecclesiastes 12:10
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Quote: using vivid … words (0)The Teacher wanted the words to be pleasurable to the listener. They bring pleasure because they are well written, not because they are comforting.
Ecclesiastes 12:11
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Quote: The words of wise people … taught by one shepherd (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The writer speaks of the teacher who uses his words to instruct people as if the teacher were a shepherd who uses his tools to lead his flock.
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Quote: The words of wise people are like goads (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This is a simile. Alternate translation: “Wise people encourage people to act, like a sharp stick encourages an animal to move”
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Quote: Like nails driven deeply are the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
This is a simile. Alternate translation: “Like you can depend on a nail that a person drives firmly into a piece of wood, so you can depend on the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs”
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Quote: the words of the masters in collections of their proverbs (0)Alternate translation: “the wise words collected in their proverbs” or “the sayings of the wise”
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Quote: which are taught by one shepherd (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which one shepherd teaches”
Ecclesiastes 12:12
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Quote: the making of many books, which has no end (0)The noun phrase “the making” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “people will never stop making many books”
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Quote: brings weariness to the body (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here “body” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “makes the person tired”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
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Quote: The end of the matter (0)Alternate translation: “The final conclusion on the matter”
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Quote: after everything has been heard (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “after you have heard everything”
Ecclesiastes 12:14
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Quote: along with every hidden thing (0)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Things done in secret is spoken of as if they were an object that was hidden. Alternate translation: “along with everything that people do in secret”