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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

ECCLESIASTES

CHAPTER TWO:
MATERIALISM IS NOT THE ANSWER

Summary

Materialism is a worthless effort. Just plain hard work by itself is useless. Even human wisdom ends the same as stupidity. Because of this life seems very disagreeable and unpleasant, leading to depression and irritation. The conclusion or summation is simple: the person good before The God should enjoy hard work and find satisfaction in eating and drinking as the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-8 – Is Materialism Worthwhile or Worthless?

EC2:1 So I told myself: Come now, let me prove it to you using happiness. Take a look at pleasure. But, behold, even these were completely futile. 22

22

So I told myself: Come now, let me prove it to you using happiness. Take a look at pleasure. But, behold, even these were completely futile: Or, BAS: I said in my heart, I will give you joy for a test; so take your pleasure—but it was to no purpose; JPS: I said in my heart: ‘Come now, I will try thee with mirth, and enjoy pleasure’; and, behold, this also was vanity; BER: test you in gladness, have a good time… worthless… amusement; MOF: mirth is madness. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:4, 6. Is happiness and the fulfillment of pleasure the answer to a worthwhile life? Note the Nazarene’s parable at Luke 12:15-21.

EC2:2 I said about laughter – foolish boasting! Merriment and entertainment? What good is it? 23

23

I said about laughter – foolish boasting! Merriment and entertainment? What good is it: Or, BAS: Of laughing I said, It is foolish; and of joy—What use is it; JPS: I said of laughter: ‘It is mad’; and of mirth: ‘What doth it accomplish. One would think that a happy, laughing person was fulfilled. Happiness is much misunderstood. The word is from the market place and a struck of luck in a good deal. This arouses that euphoria and pleasure, but such is only temporary. Joy on the other hand is not dependent on happiness. Rather it is a sense of satisfaction and gladness. It is the sad life that constantly seeks happiness as some kind of right.

EC2:3 With all my heart I sought out the cheerfulness wine can bring to my flesh 24 – my heart was still guided by wisdom 25 – grasping for foolish things. 26 I kept this up to see if I could discover whatever was pleasantly agreeable to humanity among all the things they could do under the sky throughout all their lives. 27

24

With all my heart I sought out the cheerfulness wine can bring to my flesh: Or, BAS: I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine; JPS: I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine; LXX: And I examined whether my heart would excite my flesh as with wine; ASV: how to cheer my flesh with wine; GDS: I searched in my mind how to stimulate my flesh with wine; TAY: to try the road of drink. Wine is a gift from God to increase happiness and lesson pain. [Psalm 104:15] Compare Ecclesiastes 10:19. [See the Biblical Article, Wine That Makes the Heart Rejoice.] Some think they can loose themselves in drink and it will all go away, but this is a thinking in futility. See the results of over indulgence at Proverbs 23:29-35 where only more woe is the outcome. Wine has its God-given uses as Proverbs 31:6, 7 describes.

25	My heart was still guided by wisdom: Or, BAS: still guiding my heart with wisdom. Solomon makes it clear that he did not over indulge but kept his sense about him. See notes on Ephesians 5:18.

26

Grasping for foolish things: Or, ASV: how to lay hold on folly; SPR: embrace folly; BAS: to go after foolish things. Return to Ecclesiastes 1:17. The Hebrew for “foolishness” is CIKLUWTH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5531]. The English word “fool” as it came through the Latin filter means a “windbag.” A fool is a “person with little or no judgment, common sense.” [Webster] One finds many of these in bars, pubs and saloons where their drink reveals what they truly are. Millions have gone to their graves seeking to escape life through drinking and the foolishness it produces. See the word “foolish” in 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures. [Matthew 25:2-11; Romans 1:22; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:14; Galatians 3:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:3] The word-group “fool” occurs first at Genesis 31:28 and occurs most often in Proverbs.

27

I kept this up to see if I could discover whatever was pleasantly agreeable to humanity among all the things they could do under the sky throughout all their lives: Or, BAS: so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life; JPS: till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life; LXX: until I should see of what kind is the good to the sons of men, which they should do under the sun all the days of their life; GDS: until I might see which is better for the sons of men to practice under the heavens all the days of their life. Solomon is searching to find life’s answers in materialism and pleasure. He proceeds to recount his many projects and pursuits. [Genesis 47:9; Job 14:1; Psalm 90:10]

EC2:4 I increased all my efforts. I built houses. I planted vineyards. 28

28

I increased all my efforts. I built houses. I planted vineyards: Or, BAS: I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens. If only I had a home with a garden, then I would be happy. Is the answer to life’s problems more hard work? Few have equaled Solomon’s great efforts at building and planting. [1 Kings 7:8; 9:17; 2 Chronicles 9:15]

EC2:5 I made gardens and [little] paradises. I planted in them fruit trees of every kind. 29

29

I made gardens and [little] paradises. I planted in them fruit trees of every kind: Or, BAS: I made myself gardens and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all sorts; LXX: I made for me gardens and paradises [PARADEISOUS], and I planted in them trees of every fruit. If only I had a park and orchards I would be happy. If only I could have my own little part of paradise. Some have tried to find the answer to life’s problems by embedding themselves in works in the garden. See Canticles 4:6.

EC2:6 I made pools and fountains of water to irrigate the forest of young trees. 30

30	I made pools and fountains of water to irrigate the forest of young trees: Or, BAS: I made pools to give water for the woods with their young trees. If only I could have a swimming pool or be by a stream in the woods, then I would be happy. [Canticles 7:4]

EC2:7 I acquired male-servants and female-servants. All their children were mine, as well as other possessions, including herds and flocks in abundance. These were all mine – more than anyone who had existed in Jerusalem before me. 31

31

I acquired male-servants and female-servants. All their children were mine, as well as other possessions, including herds and flocks in abundance. These were all mine – more than anyone who had existed in Jerusalem before me: Or, BAS: I got men-servants and women-servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me. If only I had someone to serve me, then I would be happy. If only I had more children, then I would be happy. If only I had a greater heard, then I would be happy. [1 Samuel 8:13; 1 Kings 4:23; 9:22; Ezra 2:58]

EC2:8 I saved up for myself both silver and gold, as well as treasures peculiar to royalty. 32 I had male and female singers, 33 as well as that special delight of men – a mistress and many concubines. 34

32

I saved up for myself both silver and gold, as well as treasures peculiar to royalty: Or, BAS: I got together silver and gold and the wealth of kings and of countries; LXX: Moreover I collected [SYNEGAGON] for myself both silver and gold also, and the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces; SPR: heaped up; NEB: amassed. If only we had more in our savings, then we would be happy. One cannot read this without remembering the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. On the matter of “saving” see notes on 1 Corinthians 16:2. [1 Kings 9:14, 28; 10:10; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:13]

33	I had male and female singers: Or, BAS: I got makers of song, male and female; LXX: I procured me singing men and singing women. Music is the key to happiness. If only I could surround myself with music, then I would be happy. [2 Samuel 19:35]

34

As well as that special delight of men – a mistress and many concubines: Or, BAS: and the delights of the sons of men—girls of all sorts to be my brides; JPS: and the delights of the sons of men, women very many; LXX: and delights of the sons of men, a butler and female cupbearers; YLT: the luxuries of the sons of man—a wife and wives; RSV: many concubines, man’s delight. [Canticles 6:8; 7:6; 1 Kings 11:3] Solomon is said to have had 700 royal wives and 300 concubines. So many and so little time! The answer to life’s problems is to indulge in “wine, women and song.” If only I had the right person, then I would be happy.

Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 – What about Hard Work?

EC2:9 So I became someone important, someone who possessed more than any one formerly in Jerusalem. 35 And I still possessed my wisdom. 36

35

So I became someone important, someone who possessed more than any one formerly in Jerusalem: Or, BAS: And I became great; increasing more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem. If only I had power and respect, then I would be happy. God did not choose many powerful or noble persons. See 1 Corinthians 1:27, 28 and James 2:5.

36	And I still possessed my wisdom: Or, BAS: and my wisdom was still with me; LXX: my wisdom [SOPHIA] was established [ESTATHE] to me. Return to Ecclesiastes 2:3. This was true of Solomon in the beginning, but his many foreign wives turned his heart from Yehowah to other gods.

EC2:10 I withheld nothing that my eyes desired. 37 I did not withhold my heart from happiness and merriment, for I was completely fulfilled by all my hard labor. 38

37

I withheld nothing that my eyes desired: Or, BAS: And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; RHM: nothing that mine eyes asked withheld I from them; SPR: whatsoever mine eyes coveted I kept not from them; KNX: eyes denied nothing that eyes could covet; MOF: nothing I coveted did I refuse myself; LXX: And whatever mine eyes desired, I withheld not from them. The LXX Greek is almost echoed in 1 John 2:16 – KAI [and] HE [the] EPITHYMIA [heightened-desire] TON [of the] OPHTHALMON [eyes]. Desire, greed, or coveting is at the root of humanity’s misery. O, only if I could have my heart’s desire, then I would be happy. Note “desire” in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:6, “Because of this the woman realized that the tree’s [fruit] was good and desirable food, as well as pleasing to the sight.” [21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures] Desire is the engine that runs sin. [James 1:14, 15]

38

I did not withhold my heart from happiness and merriment, for I was completely fulfilled by all my hard labor: Or, BAS: I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward; JPS: I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart had joy of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour; YLT: I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this hath been my portion, from all my labour; RHM: any gladness; SPR: any joy; KNX: enjoyment. Is the key to life’s happiness, happiness itself? If only I had all my heart’s desire, then I would be happy. Joy and happiness become pursuits in themselves. Compare Ecclesiastes 11:9. [Proverbs 23:5; 27:22]

EC2:11 Then I gazed out over all my works where my own hands had labored, gazing upon all my effort and all the energy it took to make it all – and, look! all of it was completely futile and just a chasing after wind! There was no true lasting benefit under the sun! 39

39

Then I gazed out over all my works where my own hands had labored, gazing upon all my effort and all the energy it took to make it all – and, look! all of it was completely futile and just a chasing after wind! There was no true lasting benefit under the sun: Or, BAS: Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun; LXX: all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun; TAY: nothing really worthwhile anywhere. After experiencing every fleshly happiness in the pursuit of materialism, Solomon’s conclusion is that it is not the answer. Compare Ecclesiastes 1:3; 2:16, 17. [Psalm 49:10] The Nazarene’s own conclusion is expressed at Matthew 16:26, “For how will a person benefit if upon gaining the entire cosmos forfeits the soul? Or, what will a person give in exchange for the soul?” [21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures]

Ecclesiastes 2:12-16 – What about Human Wisdom?

EC2:12 As a result of this I changed to examine] wisdom, as well as crazy boasting and foolishness. 40 For who among all those who will follow me will ever be able to say they did more than the king? Except maybe those who had already come before me?

40

As a result of this I changed to examine wisdom, as well as crazy boasting and foolishness: Or, BAS: And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways; JPS: and madness and folly; JB: my reflections then turned to wisdom, stupidity, folly; SPR: to discriminate wisdom from madness and folly. It seems obvious that Solomon does not have that divine wisdom revealed to him from God, but rather human sophistry and intellectualism. Compare Ecclesiastes 1:17; 7:25. See notes on 1 Corinthians 3:19.

EC2:13 Then I realized that wisdom was a superior choice than foolishness – as much as daylight is over darkness. 41

41

Then I realized that wisdom was a superior choice than foolishness – as much as daylight is over darkness: Or, BAS: Then I saw that wisdom is better than foolish ways—as the light is better than the dark; JPS: Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness; LXX: as much as light excels darkness; YLT: And I saw that there is an advantage to wisdom above folly, like the advantage of the light above the darkness. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:12. [Proverbs 4:7; Isaiah 5:20] Note 2 Corinthians 6:14. The Nazarene uses a similar comparison. [Matthew 6:22, 23] Some prefer the darkness for their own black reasons. [Job 26:11; 38:12, 13; Luke 11:35; John 3:19-21; 8:12] See the words “light” and “darkness” in 21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures.

EC2:14 The wise person’s eyes are in his head while the stupid person walks about blindly. 42 However, I became aware that a single destiny happens to everyone. 43

42	The wise person’s eyes are in his head while the stupid person walks about blindly: Or, BAS: The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the foolish man goes walking in the dark; JB: the wise man sees ahead, the fool walks in the darkness. [Proverbs 4:25]

43	However, I became aware that a single destiny happens to everyone: Or, BAS: but still I saw that the same event comes to them all; JB: one fate; NAB: one fate. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:19; 9:2, 11. Two things are sure in life: death and taxes.

EC2:15 Then I told myself, What will happen to the stupid person will also happen to me! Why, then, did I become excessively wise? So I said in my heart: All of this is also completely futile. 44

44

Then I told myself, What will happen to the stupid person will also happen to me! Why, then, did I become excessively wise? So I said in my heart: All of this is also completely futile: Or, BAS: Then said I in my heart: As it comes to the foolish man, so will it come to me; so why have I been wise overmuch? Then I said in my heart: This again is to no purpose; LXX: And I said in my heart, As the event of the fool is, so shall it be to me, even to me: and to what purpose have I gained wisdom. Return to Ecclesiastes 1:18. From a mere human perspective the outcome of the wise and foolish is the same – death. Solomon will go on, however, to demonstrate a superior view.

EC2:16 For no one will ever remember the wise person any more than the stupid person throughout all future periods of time. 45 This is so because even now, or in the years ahead, everyone is forgotten. The wise person dies exactly like the stupid person! 46

45

For no one will ever remember the wise person any more than the stupid person throughout all future periods of time: Or, BAS: Of the wise man, as of the foolish man, there is no memory for ever; YLT: there is no remembrance to the wise—with the fool—to the age. The statement is a truism in the general sense, though they have been a few exceptions throughout history. However, there are millions of towns where a wise man once lived who is no longer remembered. Consider how quickly Joseph was forgotten. [Exodus 1:8] Return to Ecclesiastes 1:11. [Psalm 103:16] No only are you going to die – wise or foolish – but you are going to be forgotten within a couple generations.

46

This is so because even now, or in the years ahead, everyone is forgotten. The wise person dies exactly like the stupid person: Or, BAS: seeing that those who now are will have gone from memory in the days to come. See how death comes to the wise as to the foolish. Compare Ecclesiastes 6:8. All humans are appointed to death by God. Those who refuse to come to grips with death are doomed to life-long slavery to it. [Hebrews 2:15; 9:27]

Ecclesiastes 2:17-19 – Hating Life’s Efforts

EC2:17 As a result of this I desired life less so, for all the hard work done under the sun seemed all just a disagreeable irritation. 47 All was completely futile and just a chasing after wind.

47

As a result of this I desired life less so, for all the hard work done under the sun seemed all just a disagreeable irritation: Or, BAS: So I was hating life, because everything under the sun was evil to me. [Numbers 11:15; 1 Kings 19:4; Job 7:6; Jeremiah 20:18; Jonah 4:3. Some of God’s servants throughout history have pondered death as an alternative to escape the futility of life. Not a few believers have thought of suicide out of deep depression and a sense of hopelessness.

EC2:18 So I had less of a desire for all my drudgery in all that hard labor done under the sun. I would only leave it to the person who followed me. 48

48

So I had less of a desire for all my drudgery in all that hard labor done under the sun. I would only leave it to the person who followed me: Or, BAS: Hate had I for all my work which I had done, because the man who comes after me will have its fruits. And see who inherited Solomon’s throne and possessions. [1 Kings 11:43] All that Solomon possessed is not gone, much it turn to dust, or lost, or capture by enemies, or spent by fools. [Psalm 17:14; 39:6] Note the Nazarene on such inheritance. [Luke 12:20]

EC2:19 And who knows whether this person will be wise or stupid? And yet he would be master over all my hard labor that I had spent so much time wisely toiling under the sun. All of this is completely futile!

Ecclesiastes 2:20-23 – Depressing Thoughts and Realities

EC2:20 It was then that I made the resolution to just let my heart turn to a desperate depression regarding all my drudgery in my hard labor under the sun. 49

49

It was then that I made the resolution to just let my heart turn to a desperate depression regarding all my drudgery in my hard labor under the sun: Or, BAS: So my mind was turned to grief for all the trouble I had taken and all my wisdom under the sun; JPS: to cause my heart to despair; LXX: dismiss from my heart.

EC2:21 The reason is because here is a man who used wisdom in his hard labor – using knowledge and skillful success – and yet I would leave it as an inheritance to a person who had not worked for it. 50 It was all so completely futile and an enormous disagreeable irritation! 51

50

The reason is because here is a man who used wisdom in his hard labor – using knowledge and skillful success – and yet I would leave it as an inheritance to a person who had not worked for it: Or, BAS: Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand; but one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. More than one father and mother have thought of this. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:15. [Psalm 49:10, 13] A fortune gained over a left time of hard work can be squandered in a moment by a stupid child.

51	It was all so completely futile and an enormous disagreeable irritation: Or, BAS: This again is to no purpose and a great evil; LAM: a great misfortune; NEB: this too is emptiness and utterly wrong. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:16.

EC2:22 What does a person end up with for all his hard labor and the desire of his heart while toiling hard under the sun? 52

52

What does a person end up with for all his hard labor and the desire of his heart while toiling hard under the sun: Or, BAS: What does a man get for all his work, and for the weight of care with which he has done his work under the sun. Return to Ecclesiastes 1:3. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:9; 4:8. Solomon will answer this question.

EC2:23 For throughout life every day brings painful sorrows and disagreeable irritations in any occupation. 53 Even at night the heart does not calm down. 54 All of this is completely futile!

53

For throughout life every day brings painful sorrows and disagreeable irritations in any occupation: Or, BAS: All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief; GDS: for all his days are sorrowful and his task is melancholy; SPR: for all his days are marred because fretted with sorrow. [Job 14:1]

54	Even at night the heart does not calm down: Or, BAS: Even in the night his heart has no rest; SPR: no repose; GDS: and at night his mind finds no rest. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:12. [Job 7:3, 4] Anxiety ruins sleep, while pharmaceutical firms get rich on sleeping aids.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 – The Conclusion: As a Good Person Enjoy What You Have

EC2:24 [So the conclusion is] that there is nothing more agreeably pleasant for a person than eating and drinking and experiencing all those things that are pleasantly agreeable to the soul for all its hard work. 55 I came to realize this for myself that such things were all from the hand of The God. 56

55

[So the conclusion is] that there is nothing more agreeably pleasant for a person than eating and drinking and experiencing all those things that are pleasantly agreeable to the soul for all its hard work: Or, BAS: There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work; JPS: There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour; RHM: nothing more blessed. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:22; 5:18; 8:15. [Acts 14:17] A key principle to the worthwhile life: learn to enjoy your hard work and be satisfied with food and drink.

56

I came to realize this for myself that such things were all from the hand of The God: Or, BAS: This again I saw was from the hand of God; MOF: is what God grants. The Hebrew for “God” here has the article ha’ELOHIM as does the LXX Greek – TOU THEOU. The Divine Name YHWH is missing from Ecclesiastes save in a couple of versions where “Jehovah” [Yehowah, Yahweh] occurs only here. Solomon almost always uses the designation “The God” whether in Hebrew or Greek. All that we receive, small or great, is from God and only the ingrate ignores this. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19. [Psalm 145:16]

EC2:25 For who could eat and enjoy himself more than I? EC2:26 To the good person in His sight [The God] gives wisdom, knowledge and personal satisfaction. 57 However, to the sinner He gives an occupation that collects and saves only to end up leaving it to the person who is good before The God. 58 All of this is completely futile, a disagreeable irritation, and a mere chasing after the wind.

57

To the good person in His sight [The God] gives wisdom, knowledge and personal satisfaction: Or, BAS: To the man with whom he is pleased, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; SPR: right in His sight. Both the Hebrew [TOWB] and the Greek [AGATHO] use “good.” It is not mere righteousness, that is, just keeping the Law, but it is the good person who is so blessed. On goodness see the notes on Romans 5:7. Note the difference in the case of king Hezekiah. [2 Chronicles 31:20] The good person before God may not always be happy, but he or she will have a feeling of satisfaction and gladness in being content with God’s gifts. Note a similar spirit in 1 Timothy 6:8.

58

To the sinner He gives an occupation that collects and saves only to end up leaving it to the person who is good before The God: Or, BAS: to the sinner he gives the work of getting goods together and storing up wealth, to give to him in whom God has pleasure; JPS: to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good. [Deuteronomy 6:11; Proverbs 13:22; 28:8] At the end of the day the good and righteous will inherit all sinners have stored up for themselves. [Read Psalm 37.] The concluding two principles are: a] learn to be satisfied with what you have from your hard work, eating and drinking; b] realize that in the end the good will inherit all the possessions of the evil.