Nazarene Commentary 2000©

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

Locate verse: Type a verse reference like 'Romans 10:9' or abbreviated 'Rm 10:9'. By just typing the verse one can jump to the corresponding verse on the active page (only works if the current page displays a chapter). If a chapter and a verse is entered without a book, the current selected book is assumed. Providing only the name of a book will bring one to the chapter index of that book. Examples (without the quotes): '1 Tim 3:16', 'Rv 1:8', 'Matthew 5', '3:16', '8', 'Phm'.

ECCLESIASTES

CHAPTER FIVE:
TOO MANY WORDS AND TOO MUCH MONEY

Summary

Guard what you say before God, poor and rich contrasted, the calamity of materialism, and God’s gift.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 – The Matter of Promises and too Many Words

EC5:1 Watch how you walk when you enter the House of The God. 108 Be willing to listen, unlike the stupid who merely offer sacrifices. For they never admit to their sin. 109
108 Watch how you walk when you enter the House of The God: Or, BAS: Put your feet down with care when you go to the house of God; DAR: Keep thy feet. That is, guard your feet when in the temple-courtyard. There is a strong echo of this at 1 Timothy 3:15 – EN OIKO THEOU ANASTREPHESTHAI. [Psalm 15:2; 119:59, 101, 105]
109 Be willing to listen, unlike the stupid who merely offer sacrifices. For they never admit to their sin: Or, BAS: for it is better to give ear than to make the burned offerings of the foolish, whose knowledge is only of doing evil; DAR: hear rather than to give of fools the sacrifice, for they do not know they do evil; RHM: make no acknowledgement of doing wrong; GDS: for they know nothing but to do wrong; MOF: never enter God’s house carelessly. That is, to obey what is heard. [Deuteronomy 31:12] Compare an echo at James 1:19.
EC5:2 Do not be rash in what you say, and do not let your heart motivate you to be too quick in what you say when before The God. 110 For The God is in the Celestialum and you are on the earth. 111 That is a good reason to make your words few and scarce. 112
110 Do not be rash in what you say, and do not let your heart motivate you to be too quick in what you say when before The God: Or, BAS: Be not unwise with your mouth, and let not your heart be quick to say anything before God; ABP: be not rash with thy mouth; SPR: be not precipitate with thy mouth; NAB: let not your heart be quick to make a promise in God’s presence; LXX: Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God [TOU THEOU]. [Proverbs 10:13] Likely referring to vows made to God. [Numbers 30:2, 5] Note the Nazarene’s teachings on such vows. [Matthew 5:33-37]
111 For The God is in the Celestialum and you are on the earth: Or, LXX: for God [HO THEOS] is in heaven, and thou upon earth. [Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1]
112 That is a good reason to make your words few and scarce: Or, BAS: so let not the number of your words be great; JB: be sparing, then, of speech. Compare Ecclesiastes 3:7. [Proverbs 10:19] Note the Nazarene at Matthew 6:7. These “words” are with regard to a vow or promise.
EC5:3 For too much dreaming results in considerable disappointment, and one can hear stupidity in too many words. 113
113 For too much dreaming results in considerable disappointment, and one can hear stupidity in too many words: Or, BAS: As a dream comes from much business; JPS: For through the multitude of trial a dream comes; NET: just as dreams come true there are many cares; NAB: nightmares come with many cares; JB: dreaming comes from much worrying; NEB: the fool talks and it is so much chatter. Compare the Nazarene at Luke 12:18. Compare Ecclesiastes 10:14. [Proverbs 10:19; 15:2]
EC5:4 When you make a promise to The God do not fail to keep it. For [He] takes no pleasure in stupidity. Do as you promised! 114
114 When you make a promise to The God do not fail to keep it. For [He] takes no pleasure in stupidity. Do as you promised: Or, BAS: When you take an oath before God, put it quickly into effect, because he has no pleasure in the foolish; keep the oath you have taken; LXX: When thou vowest a vow unto God [TO THEO], defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest. [Deuteronomy 23:21; Psalm 50:14; 76:11] Compare the Nazarene at Matthew 5:33. Note Paul’s example at Acts 18:18; 21:23.
EC5:5 It would be better not to promise [God], than to promise and not fulfill. 115
115 It would be better not to promise [God], than to promise and not fulfill: Or, BAS: It is better not to take an oath than to take an oath and not keep it. [Deuteronomy 23:22; Proverbs 20:25]
EC5:6 Do not let your mouth lead your flesh to sin. 116 Nor tell the Angel, “I made a mistake!” 117 Why should The God become displeased at the sound of your words, and then ruin all your hard work? 118
116 Do not let your mouth lead your flesh to sin: Or, BAS: Let not your mouth make your flesh do evil; RSV: let not your mouth lead you into sin; JPS: guilt. That is, your whole person. [James 1:26]
117 Nor tell the Angel, “I made a mistake: Or, BAS: And say not before the angel, It was an error. Opinions are divided on the meaning. Some think this “messenger” [or, angel] is the temple priest. Compare notes on Revelation 2:1. The LXX Greek uses PRO PROSOPOU TOU THEOU – “before the face [presence] of The God.” Either way it is clear that the vow was spoken in the presence of the temple priest as God’s representative, or before the Angel of Yahweh. [Leviticus 5:4] Note a comparison with Peter as God’s representative at Acts 5:1-11.
118 Why should The God become displeased at the sound of your words, and then ruin all your hard work: Or, BAS: So that God may not be angry with your words and put an end to the work of your hands; RSV: angry at your voice; RHM: indignant.
EC5:7 Too much dreaming results only in complete futility – and too many promises. 119 Rather, you should continue to fear The God. 120 [1 Peter 2:17]
119 Too much dreaming results only in complete futility – and too many promises: Or, BAS: Because much talk comes from dreams and things of no purpose; DAR: in the abundance of dreams both vanities and words abound; GDS: for through many empty dreams come many vows; RSV: for when dreams increase, empty words grow many. Compare Ecclesiastes 5:3.
120 Rather, you should continue to fear The God: Or, BAS: But let the fear of God be in you; LXX: but fear [PHOBOU] thou God [TON THEON]. Compare Ecclesiastes 7:18; 12:13. The phrase “fear of Jehovah” occurs often in the Bible. [Psalm 19:9; 33:8; 34:11; 111:10; 112:1; Proverbs 1:7. Peter puts it in a similar phrase – TON THEON PHOBEISTHE]. Compare notes on 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Philippians 2:12 and Hebrews 10:27, 31. Note the end-time angel’s proclamation at Revelation 14:7 – PHOBETHETE TON THEON.

Ecclesiastes 5:8-12 – The Poor and the Rich

EC5:8 Do not be overly upset when you observe the poor being oppressed in the nation – the violent perversion of justice and judgment 121 – for there is always someone with more authority watching, and, indeed, the Most High has more authority than all of them. 122
121 Do not be overly upset when you observe the poor being oppressed in the nation – the violent perversion of justice and judgment: Or, BAS: If you see the poor under a cruel yoke, and law and right being violently overturned in a country, be not surprised; LXX: If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state; MOF: right and justice tampered with in the State; NEB: denial of right and justice. The “oppression” may be “extortion.” Return to Ecclesiastes 3:16. [Proverbs 17:23; James 5:4]
122 For there is always someone with more authority watching, and, indeed, the Most High has more authority than all of them: Or, BAS: because one authority is keeping watch on another and there are higher than they; JPS: a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them; LXX: for one higher [HYPSELOS] than the high [HYPSELOI] watcheth, and there are higher [HYPSELOI] than they; NET: high official. First, in hierarchies of government and political bureaucracy there is always another level, and at the end of the day there is the Most High. [Mal 3:5; Romans 13:1-4]
EC5:9 For while the earth’s produce is for everyone, the king is also served by the fields. 123
123 For while the earth’s produce is for everyone, the king is also served by the fields: Or, BAS: It is good generally for a country where the land is worked to have a king; DAR: And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served; LXX: But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field. There are several views on the proper rendering. [1 Samuel 8:12; 1 Kings 4:7; 21:2; 2 Chronicles 26:10] Compare Canticles 8:12.
EC5:10 The person who loves money will never be satisfied with more money, nor the person who loves wealth with even more profits. It is all complete futility. 124
124 The person who loves money will never be satisfied with more money, nor the person who loves wealth with even more profits. It is all complete futility: Or, BAS: He who has a love for silver never has enough silver, or he who has love for wealth, enough profit. This again is to no purpose; LXX: He that loveth silver [AGAPON ARGYRION] shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity; BER: lover of money; NAB: the covetous man is never satisfied with money. Here in the LXX Greek is an example of mistaken AGAPE. The words may be echoed by Paul at 1 Timothy 6:10 – HE PHILARGYRIA [fond of silver]. Return to Ecclesiastes 4:8. Note the Nazarene’s teachings at Matthew 6:24. [Luke 12:16]
EC5:11 When there is plenty there is always plenty to devour it. So what is the benefit of it all to the one who possesses it all except to just watch [it be devoured]? 125
125 When there is plenty there is always plenty to devour it. So what is the benefit of it all to the one who possesses it all except to just watch [it be devoured]: Or, BAS: When goods are increased, the number of those who take of them is increased; and what profit has the owner but to see them; DAR: In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied, and what benefit is to its possessor except the sight of his eyes; LXX: When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes. Modern economic oppression proves that people will move to another nation where opportunities are greater. [1 Kings 4:22; Nehemiah 5:17, 18; Proverbs 23:5]
EC5:12 Whether he has a lot or a little to eat, sweet is the sleep of the hard worker. 126 However, the surplus of the rich man will not allow him to sleep. 127
126 Whether he has a lot or a little to eat, sweet is the sleep of the hard worker: Or, BAS: The sleep of a working man is sweet, if he has little food or much; JPS: The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eat little or much; TAY: the man who works hard sleeps well. [Psalm 4:8; Proverbs 3:24] The sale of sleeping aids is enormous in the Christian/Judaic Western World.
127 The surplus of the rich man will not allow him to sleep: Or, BAS: but to him who is full, sleep will not come; DAR: the sufficiency of the wealthy is not suffering him to sleep; JPS: to one who is satiated with wealth, there is none that suffers him to sleep; TAY: the rich must worry and suffer insomnia. In the Bible the “rich” may be defined as those having a surplus. Note Jesus at Luke 21:4. Lack of sleep due to anxiety over livelihood is among those self-inflicted wounds of the rich. [Luke 21:34; 1 Timothy 6:10]

Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 – Calamity and Riches

EC5:13 Here is one of the greatest calamities I have witnessed under the sun: Riches saved that only end up hurting their owner. 128
128 Here is one of the greatest calamities I have witnessed under the sun: Riches saved that only end up hurting their owner: Or, BAS: There is a great evil which I have seen under the sun—wealth kept by the owner to be his downfall; DAR: There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil; LXX: riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt. [Proverbs 1:19; 11:28; Luke 12:21; James 5:3] See notes on 1 Timothy 6:10. The subject of “riches” in the Nazarene’s Sayings should be a special study for all his disciples.
EC5:14 Those riches perished because of being improperly used, and though a son is left behind he has nothing at all. 129
129 Those riches perished because of being improperly used, and though a son is left behind he has nothing at all: Or, BAS: And I saw the destruction of his wealth by an evil chance; and when he became the father of a son he had nothing in his hand; DAR: And that wealth hath been lost in an evil business, and he hath begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand; LXX: and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand; RHM: ill employed; MOF: wealth hoarded; BJ: riches stored; NET: lost through bad luck. There are two views: bad luck, and bad business. [Psalm 39:6] The Nazarene did not encourage saving. [Matthew 6:19] Savings are mentioned only twice and each in the context of having something to share with others. [1 Corinthians 16:2; Ephesians 4:28]
EC5:15 A person comes naked into this world from mother’s womb, just so they will leave this world naked. Nor will anyone carry in their hand the result of all that hard labor. 130
130 A person comes naked into this world from mother’s womb, just so they will leave this world naked. Nor will anyone carry in their hand the result of all that hard labor: Or, BAS: As he came from his mother at birth, so does he go again; he gets from his work no reward which he may take away in his hand; JPS: As he came forth naked from his mother’s womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go with him in his hand; LXX: As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. [Job 1:21; Psalm 49:17] Surely Paul alludes to these words at 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we brought nothing into the world order of humanity, nor are we able to carry anything out [of the world].” [21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures] There are two views of life: a] this is all one gets and so it is best to just use it to the full; and, b] how we use life will be judged by the “Judge of all the earth.”
EC5:16 So this is an additional great calamity, as one came so one will depart. 131 [1 Timothy 6:7] So what will be the benefit of all that hard labor?
131 So this is an additional great calamity, as one came so one will depart. So what will be the benefit of all that hard labor: Or, BAS: And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind; JPS: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours; LXX: that in all points as he came, so shall he go. That is, one came into the world penniless and will leave the same way. [Matthew 16:26; John 6:27]
EC5:17 Even during life every day is spent devouring darkness and grief – angry, furious and sick. 132
132 Even during life every day is spent devouring darkness and grief – angry, furious and sick: Or, BAS: All his days are in the dark, and he has much sorrow, pain, disease, and trouble; DAR: Also all his days in darkness he consumeth, and sadness, and wrath, and sickness abound; JPS: Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath; SPR: he eateth in seclusion with much sorrow; BER: all his days eating in darkness with plenty of grief; NAB: all the days of his life are passed in gloom. Paul calls this “a season of groaning pain.” [Romans 8:22]

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 – God’s Gift

EC5:18 Now look! I have experienced that the best thing a person can do is enjoy the food and drink resulting from all that hard labor done under the sun. For this is what The God has provided throughout all the days of one’s life. 133
133 Now look! I have experienced that the best thing a person can do is enjoy the food and drink resulting from all that hard labor done under the sun. For this is what The God has provided throughout all the days of one’s life: Or, BAS: This is what I have seen: it is good and fair for a man to take meat and drink and to have joy in all his work under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; that is his reward; LXX: Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion; NET: beneficial and appropriate… find enjoyment in all his hard work. Return to Ecclesiastes 2:24; 3:13, 22.
EC5:19 Whenever a person receives riches and property, it is The God who has granted them to find enjoyment in their hard labor. This is The God’s gift. 134
134 Whenever a person receives riches and property, it is The God who has granted them to find enjoyment in their hard labor. This is The God’s gift: Or, BAS: Every man to whom God has given money and wealth and the power to have pleasure in it and to do his part and have joy in his work: this is given by God; LXX: Every man also to whom God [HO THEOS] hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God [HO THEOS]. Solomon does not tell a rich person to divest himself of all his wealth, but rather to use it wisely. Jesus taught his personal apostles “to sell their possessions and give to charity.” [Luke 12:33] This was not taken as a rule or law for the Christian Church. Paul appeals for an economic equality, something of the pure communism of the early Church. [2 Corinthians 8:14, 15; Acts 2:42, 44, 45; 4:32, 34-36] Paul does not tell the rich to divest themselves but rather he gives “orders” through Timothy regarding how to use such riches. [1 Timothy 6:17-19]
EC5:20 For such a person will hardly notice the passing of time because The God occupies such with a glad and satisfied heart. 135
135 For such a person will hardly notice the passing of time because The God occupies such with a glad and satisfied heart: Or, BAS: He will not give much thought to the days of his life; because God lets him be taken up with the joy of his heart; DAR: For he doth not much remember the days of his life, for God is answering through the joy of his heart; LXX: For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God [HO THEOS] answereth him in the joy of his heart; BER: for he shall not often think of the brevity of his life because God keeps his heart occupied with gladness; MOF: then he will never brood over the fewness of his days, for God is giving him his heart’s delight; NAB: for he will hardly dwell on the shortness of his life, because God lets him busy himself with the joy of his heart. [Deuteronomy 28:8; Psalm 4:7] Though this remains a principle, the Nazarene called for greater sacrifice on the part of his disciples. Jesus was the one greater than Solomon and so his Sayings would precede anything Solomon wrote. The rich are free to enjoy God’s gifts but if they forget orphans and widows and those in their spiritual fellowship, their worship is complete futility. [James 1:27; 1 John 3:16, 17]

Mark Heber Miller