,a ,,commentary ,,on ,,ecclesiastes ,transcriber's ,notes ,the original text displayed the ,authorized ,version of ,scripture on the left page and the author's paraphrase on the facing right page4 ,for the electronic formats1 these two versions for each verse have been placed in two columns followed immediately by the corresponding commentary4 ,punctuation has been standardized4 ,most of the non-common abbreviations used to save space in printing have been expanded to the non-abbreviated form for easier reading4 ,the text may show quotations within quotations1 all set off by similar quote marks4 ,the inner quotations have been changed to alternate quote marks for improved readability4 ,characters in small caps have been replaced by all caps4 ,non-printable symbols have been presented in square brackets with a description ,leo astrological sign ,non-printable characteristics have been given the following ,italic text3 -- text emphasized text within italics -- text bold text3 -- text4 ,this book was written in a period when many words had not become standardized in their spelling4 ,words may have multiple spelling variations or inconsistent hyphenation in the text4 ,these have been left unchanged unless indicated with a ,transcriber's ,note4 ,index references have not been checked for accuracy4 ,the symbol #8' indicates the description in parenthesis has been added to an illustration4 ,this may be needed if there is no caption or if the caption does not describe the image adequately4 ,footnotes are identified in the text with a superscript number and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear4 ,transcriber's ,notes are used when making corrections to the text or to provide additional information for the modern reader4 ,these notes are identified by symbols in the text and are shown immediately below the paragraph in which they appear4 ,a ,,commentary ,,on ,,ecclesiastes ,,rivingtons ,london ,waterloo ,place ,oxford ,high ,street ,cambridge ,trinity ,street ,a ,,commentary ,,on ,,ecclesiastes ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,pelham ,,dale1 ,m4,a4 ,,late ,,fellow ,,of ,,sidney ,,college1 ,,cambridge1 ,,and ,,rector ,,of ,,st4 ,,vedast ,,with ,,st4 ,,michael ,,le ,,querne1 ,,london4 80 replaced with 80 ,,rivingtons ,london1 ,oxford1 and ,cambridge #ahgc ,,to ,,john ,,hall ,,gladstone1 ,,esq4 ,,ph4 ,d4 ,f4,r4,s4 ,,through ,,whose ,,liberality ,,it ,,sees ,,the ,,light1 ,,is ,,this ,,work ,,affectionately ,,dedicated ,,by ,the ,author4 ,,preface4 ,,the following ,commentary differs from many of its predecessors in the greater weight given to the interpretation of the ,,lxx41 and the closer investigation of their peculiar renderings4 ,in many cases these strange renderings on the part of the ,,lxx4 are dismissed by commentators as simply errors4 ,but this is not consistent with what true criticism ought to do4 ,the ,,lxx4 is not only the oldest translation we have1 but also the only one made when ,hebrew was yet a living language4 ,its peculiar renderings then deserve our most serious attention4 ,the investigation of them will fully reward the inquirer4 ,this1 then1 is the cause of the special line of interpretation adopted in this ,commentary4 ,with regard to the ,book of ,ecclesiastes itself1 the writer must confess himself homo unius libri2 for some years past all his ,hebrew and ,greek studies have been devoted to the investigation of the meaning of this one book in the ,sacred ,canon1 and all his conclusions must be taken with the reservation that they apply1 directly1 to this one book alone4 ,such a concentration of effort may be expected to produce results which might not be arrived at by a far wider and more extensive research1 just as a few rays of sunlight concentrated by a small lens will burn where the sun himself will only warm4 ,nevertheless1 this book does not profess to be anything in the nature of a new discovery4 ,sense is attempted to be made of difficult passages by what may be called a microscopic attention to the grammar of the writer1 and a minute and careful analysis of every form and expression he uses4 ,the test of the correctness of the meaning thus found is displayed in the way in which it falls into place in the context1 and squares with its tenor4 ,but nothing novel in the way of ,hebrew grammar is urged1 or anything which may not be found in ordinary commentaries1 except1 perhaps1 it be the fact of the difference of signification between the contracted and full relative pronouna usage which is peculiar to the ,book of ,ecclesiastes4 ,this has hitherto been dismissed by other commentators as evidence of late composition1 without giving it the notice it merited4 ,many points of interest are started in these pages1 which would well repay a more careful investigation than ,i have either leisure or learning to follow out4 ,they are only presented so far as necessary to illustrate and clear up difficulties in the interpretation of that marvellous book which is the subject of this ,commentary4 ,if ,i have succeeded1 the ,church will be benefited2 if ,i have altogether failed1 my book will only add a few pages more to the vast literature which this1 the scientific treatise of the ,divine ,word1 has elicited4 ,,london1 ,oct4 #ahgc4 ,,introduction4 ,,date ,,and ,,authorship4 ,,the title or superscription of the book is1 chapter i4 #a1 #8,the words of ,koheleth1 the son of ,david1 king of ,jerusalem1' and this is further explained in verse #ab1 by #8,i ,koheleth was king over ,israel in ,jerusalem4' ,the only person in ,jewish history who answers exactly to this description is ,solomon1 and accordingly the whole ancient ,church1 ,jewish as well as ,christian1 have regarded ,solomon as the undoubted author of the book4 ,with this conclusion even modern criticism is so far agreed1 that it is universally admitted that ,solomon is the hero or personated author1 even though it is denied that he was the real writer4 ,it is alleged that internal evidence is against the supposition of so early a date2 for that the language and tone of thought in the book point to a writer further on in ,jewish history4 ,the favourite opinion amongst ,german scholars is1 that ,ecclesiastes was composed towards the end of the ,persian dominion4 ,ewald1 indeed1 considers that1 so far as language and style is concerned1 the book might be the very latest written in the whole ,hebrew ,scriptures4 ,a detailed history of the exposition of the book will be found in the ,coheleth of ,dr4 ,ginsburg1 together with a complete discussion of the reasons for and against ,solomonic authorship4 ,it will be unnecessary1 therefore1 to go into detail on this point4 ,we shall only add what concerns the immediate object of the present ,commentary1 remarking that several most competent ,english-speaking scholars remain unconvinced by arguments which have apparently fully satisfied their ,german brethren4 ,dr4 ,wordsworth1 ,professor ,plumptre1 ,dr4 ,taylor ,lewis of ,america1 argue that the book is really ,solomon's1 while even in ,germany ,d4 ,h4 ,a4 ,hahn 7,commentar ber das ,predigerbuch1 ,leipzig1 #ahfj7 is strongly on the side of the ,solomonic authorship4 ,the principal arguments in favour of later date derived from internal evidence1 arise from 7first7 the state of violence and misery depicted in the book with so much bitterness1 and which1 it is alleged1 cannot be made to harmonize with what we know of the reign of ,solomon2 and 7secondly7 the strongly ,aramaic character of the language1 which assimilates itself to that of the books of ,daniel and ,esther4 ,with regard to the first point 7if we have at all found the real interpretation of the book71 it seems improbable that any special description of a particular period could have been ever intended1 or even any allusion to the special circumstances of any people4 ,so far also from supposing a time of trouble in the mind of the writer1 on the contrary the point and moral of the book will be enhanced if we suppose it to be written rather in a time of prosperity than of adversity or oppression4 ,thus1 if we turn to the expressions of chapter iv4 #a we shall see that to give any special reference to them1 and suppose them peculiar or out of the way1 would weaken the force of ,koheleth's argument4 ,human life generally1 under the very best of external circumstances1 always exhibits the spectacle both of oppressions by the wicked1 and of oppressed without comforters4 ,now underneath this statement lies the difficulty that ,he who permits this is the merciful ,author of ,nature ,himself1 and it is this difficulty which is especially discussed4 ,there is no necessity to suppose the concluding years of ,persian tyranny to be pointedly alluded to1 because it is not under an ,asiatic despotism alone that hypocrites come and go from the place of the holy 7chapter viii4 #aj71 or servants are seen on horseback1 and nobles1 like serfs1 walking afoot 7chapter x4 #g71 or that men continue in prosperous wickedness 7chapter ix4 #c74 ,indeed1 the same may be said of any other of the similar providential difficulties advanced in this book1 for the very same occurrences may be witnessed now in this age of civilisation and progress4 ,the reply then to the assertion that it is #8impossible to reconcile this state of things with the age of ,solomon' is simply this4 ,there is no need even to make the attempt1 because there is no reason to believe that1 considering the author's standpoint1 he intended that the instances of human suffering and disappointment he cites should be taken otherwise than perfectly generally4 ,what he adduces of this nature is in sufficient measure true always1 at the best of times4 ,it would blunt the point of his reasoning if it could be shown that the difficulties he starts were exceptional or temporary2 but this is not so4 ,koheleth's repeated declaration is that allthat is1 the whole of human lifeis vanity or evanescence4 ,the argument from ,aramaic words is much more formidable1 and would be conclusive if our knowledge of the successive stages of the ,hebrew language were less fragmentary and uncertain than is really the case4 ,it is quite true that such words as 1 1 1 1 11 have an ,aramaic colouring2 but we must set against this the fact that1 as ,ewald remarks1 we have in ,ecclesiastes a new philosophical terminology1 which has modified the ,hebrew of the book4 ,and again1 it will be seen by referring to the places where these peculiar words occur1 that they are introduced either for the purposes of expressing new ideas or terms not found in the language elsewhere4 ,sometimes the more usual word would be out of harmony with the context1 e4g4 the word replaces the more ordinary 1 because not only is the latter used to signify a feast1 but the root-meaning of the former is just what is required by the argument4 ,again1 1 as will be seen stated at length in the notes1 is used in the purely technical sense1 of #8this present1' and not in the ordinary meaning of #8already4' ,the unusual 1 chapter vi4 #f1 also is apparently introduced for the sake of the alliteration with in the next clause1 and the once occurring chapter iv4 #c1 for the sake of the equivoke to which its use gives rise4 ,all these ,aramaic words are noticed as they occur in the body of the ,commentary1 and we think that the conclusion which results from what there appears is to weaken very considerably any argument as to date which can be drawn from them one way or the other4 80 replaced with 80 ,again1 the object of the book is so peculiar1 and so different from all the rest of ,scripture1 and especially from those which1 supposing ,solomon was the author1 would stand related to it in point of time1 that we may well expect some difference of language and colouring4 ,again1 also1 there is another reason4 ,the books immediately subsequent to ,solomon's era are all prophetic4 ,now it seems natural that prophets should use an antique style1 which would be tinged with that of the earlier religious books1 while if1 on the other hand1 as the ,,lxx4 seem to imply by their translation of the word ,koheleth1 and appears also from the alliterations in the book itself1 it were an address orally delivered1 it would no doubt contain colloquialisms4 ,there are strong indications that it does so4 ,now these colloquialisms would certainly have an ,aramaic cast about them4 ,thus the difference of diction between the ,hebrew of ,koheleth and a contemporary prophet would be exaggerated1 and any estimate of date due to this difference proportionately uncertain4 ,on the whole1 for myself1 ,i have no theory to support either way4 ,i am content to let the matter rest1 as ,i believe the ,scripture itself leaves it1 which1 after all1 nowhere refers the authorship to ,solomon4 ,in accordance with this1 both to save space and to conduce to clearness1 ,i have always referred to the author by the name ,koheleth1 and to the book itself as ,ecclesiastes1 in the course of the subsequent ,commentary4 ,,design ,,and ,,method ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,the design of the book is no other than argumentatively to work out the concluding aphorism of the whole3 #8,fear ,god1 and keep ,his commandments1 for this is the whole problem of ,humanity4' ,this truth is never for a moment lost sight of1 not even in those passages which sound most sceptical or ,epicurean4 ,we may compare this marvellous book to an overture1 and say that this truth is its subject4 ,this overture1 however1 is written in a minor key2 it is almost always plaintive2 sometimes it descends to what sounds like absolute discord2 but this subject floats through its wildest and strangest melodies1 resolves its harshest discords1 connects its most erratic wanderings4 ,koheleth is a perfect master of sarcasm4 ,a certain grim and bitter yet grave and holy satire runs through his book4 ,he makes his readers think whether they will or no4 ,for this purpose he sometimes descends to plays upon words1 equivokes1 alliterations1 possibly also proverbs in ordinary circulation4 ,he certainly writes in the #8vulgar tongue4' ,but these equivokes always help the sense4 ,if ,koheleth appears in the guise of a popular preacher1 he never loses sight of the moralist and philosopher4 ,his sermon1 for such we believe it to be1 will bear comparison with another wonderful sermon found in ,holy ,scripture1 with which it has some striking points of resemblance1 and yet how wonderfully different6 ,the book then opens with an exclamation which serves as a text or topic#8,vanity of vanities1'and forthwith proceeds to state the question1 and work out the conclusion which this topic suggests4 ,has mankind any advantage 7in the sense of a result in the future7 by reason of his toil or anxiety 7the technical word here used is 1 by which word is meant the same thing as the ,greek expresses by 1 cares of this life1 ,matthew xiii4 #bb78 ,this he answers in the negative by eight aphorisms1 four drawn from observation of nature and four from moral considerations1 which we have called the eight unbeatitudes of the sermon4 ,this constitutes the first part of the proof4 ,koheleth then goes on to discuss the question1 ,can any solution of this providential difficulty be discovered8 ,this1 in the first place1 is attempted to be answered by an autobiography1 in which ,koheleth shows in succession that wisdom1 mirth1 accumulation of wealth1 etc41 are alike evanescent and unsatisfactory1 as his own experience 7and no one was likely to do better7 abundantly displayed4 ,these together form the first great division of the book,chapters ,i4 and ,,ii4 ,in the next five ,chapters1 ,,iii4 to ,,vii41 the same question is discussed from another point of view4 ,koheleth remarks on the unalterable character of ,providence1 and shows that even if it were possible that human wisdom could cause change 7which it cannot71 that the alteration could only be for the worse4 ,he begins by enumerating twenty-eight times or seasonsthat is1 a fourfold sevenof which the last is #8a time of peace4' ,this is especially worthy of remark1 as it is an instance of one of those hopes of better things which ,koheleth allows to appear1 as it were by stealth1 amidst his most melancholy utterances4 ,he then argues this matter1 and through a long and sustained course of reasoning1 the conclusion of which is1 that ,god must right the wronged4 ,but there naturally arises the objection1 ,if this be so1 why does impiety and oppression exist so continually in the very places or circumstances where we ought to expect the reverse8 ,to this ,koheleth offers two solutions1 which1 however1 are neither satisfactory2 the second indeed would lead to absolute scepticism4 ,the true deduction is however stated in the last verse of chapter iii4 7#bb71 which is1 that if any result is to be accomplished by human toil1 it can only consist in present gratification4 ,koheleth then turns to the consideration of oppressions or afflictions1 this turn of thought being that present enjoyment is marred by the existence of so much irremediable unhappiness2 that if this world be all1 the dead are better off than the living2 that the result even of success is envy rather than pleasure2 that it is useless labouring for posterity1 and no avail in the present4 ,koheleth here sarcastically points out that labour for others does give some advantage1 the only instance where he sees the possibility of any at all4 ,he carefully limits1 however1 all this to the present life1 this formula #8under the sun1' i4e4 in this world of labour and toil1 being introduced frequently1 showing that all he says is to be taken with this proviso4 ,in ,chapter ,v4 ,koheleth begins to display the great remedy for human illsthat is1 piety1 patience1 and submission to the ,divine will1 cautioning against foolish sacrifices1 rash vows1 rash speeches1 selfishness and avarice4 ,this display of the remedy1 however1 is as yet subordinate1 the main object being to show that all arguments conspire to prove the vanity or transitoriness of human existence4 ,with this ,chapter ,,vi4 ends1 and with it the more argumentative portion of the treatise4 ,chapter ,,vii4 opens with a paradoxical statement of seven good things1 which look like evil ones1 and on this ,koheleth develops the thought that man does not know a good thing when he sees it4 ,he shows that even wisdom itself will not necessarily produce happiness in this world1 though this1 he is sure1 is a good thing2 but he is very bitter and sarcastic on those who1 because right does not always succeed1 resort to impiety2 this1 he shows1 is a great and fatal mistake4 ,though the proposition that piety is happiness is not formally stated or worked out argumentatively1 nevertheless this is proved so completely that ,koheleth is able at the end of the whole to cite this as the real result of his argument4 ,if1 however1 piety be the remedy for human ills1 early piety is essential to tolerable ease and quiet in this world4 ,this is set forth in the same paradoxical and sarcastic way as before4 ,we are advised to avoid certain evils while we can4 ,these are described with great pathos in ,chapter ,,xii4 ,it is however1 we believe1 quite a mistake to imagine that the close of the book contains an allegorical description of old age4 ,the weakness and other trials of age are1 no doubt1 brought before us in very poetic and picturesque language4 ,there is an ,oriental richness and floridness about this language at first strange to ,western ears2 but the images employed all admit of resolution by an appeal to the usage of ,scripture elsewhere1 and can be shown to be quite in place4 ,the conclusion of the whole is significantly the same as the topic at the beginning1 #8,vanity of vanities1 the whole is vanity4' ,the ,epilogue1 chapter xii4 #i1 follows4 ,this has been pronounced by some to be an interpolation1 the work of a later hand2 but we could no more imagine a book of the ,old ,testament ending with such an aphorism as vanity of vanities1 without doing violence to our critical instinct1 than we could believe that the ,gospel of ,st4 ,mark was ever intended to end with the words #8,they were afraid' 1 ,mark xvi4 #h4 ,it is rather the bold1 open statement of the truth1 which has in a more or less covered manner formed the subject of the whole book4 ,the aphorism1 #8,fear ,god and keep ,his commandments1' contains the only possible solution of providential difficulties or remedy of human ills1 and it is in vain to look for any other4 ,the reasons for this mystery we must leave to ,god alone4 ,he will bring into judgmenti4e4 into adjustment or declared consistency with justiceevery mystery1 whether to our notions good or evil4 ,with this assurance the book appropriately ends4 ,,grammatical ,,peculiarities4 ,the ,book of ,ecclesiastes being a didactic and argumentative treatise1 and the only work of its kind in the ,scriptures1 its ,hebrew is modified to meet the requirements of that which is a new philosophy1 so that we may fully indorse ,ewald's expression1 that #8,koheleth uses the ,hebrew language as a flexible instrument for the expression of novel ideas4' ,this naturally implies a usage of words and phrases peculiar to this book1 and accounts for the large number of unusual forms and once occurring words and the like which here meet us4 ,it will be apparent to any who will diligently examine the text1 that ,koheleth confines himself very strictly indeed to the rules of his own grammar1 and uses articles1 prepositions1 and tenses with an accuracy not inferior to ,greek itself4 ,for example1 there is a real distinction to be discovered between the usage of masculine and feminine forms1 where a substantive is of both genders4 ,it is not a matter of indifference whether the full relative is used or the contracted form2 on the contrary1 it will be seen that the contracted relative gives an optative or subjunctive sense2 or whether a verb governs directly or through the intervention of the particle 2 a distinction which the ,,lxx4 were quite aware of1 and which gave rise to their adverbial 4 ,what1 for want of a better term1 we have called distributive pluralsi4e4 a singular noun and plural verb in agreement1 or vice versare exceedingly significant4 ,they have a peculiar shade of meaning1 according to circumstances and position in the sentence4 ,it is too a matter of some consequence whether the nominative precedes or follows the verb2 hence in the running translation this order is never reversed1 even where our idiom requires it1 but explanatory words are introduced4 ,all these matters are1 where necessary1 pointed out in the notesperhaps some may imagine pressed too far1 and repeated ad nauseam2 but the excuse must be that on these minuti depend the evidence of correct rendering4 ,if thus a good sense is made out1 as it were spontaneously1 and which1 moreover1 is found to fall into place as it occurs in the context1 we have strong evidence that we have hit the real meaning4 ,connected with this grammatical usage is a peculiar terminology1 also to be expected in a scientific treatise4 ,thus is very commonly rendered in this ,commentary by #8reasoning1' the exact idea implied being a matter or thing reasoned about1 with the further notion or conclusion that this reason will become ground of action4 ,no single ,english or even ,greek word will render it1 but once let us master its real significance1 and the force and cogency of many passages will become manifest4 ,again1 1 which has the sense of #8an agreeable occurrence1' #8a providence1' and then generally of #8any event1' in this book denotes a #8providential occurrence4' ,again1 is not exactly toil1 but the fatigue1 distress1 or anxiety that comes of it4 ,it differs from 1 which is also anxiety1 but that kind of anxiety which comes of uncertainty as to a future result4 ,two most important words are and 3 the former is that kind of folly which has the appearance of wisdom1 clever folly1 or foolish wisdom2 the latter is that kind of folly which is begotten of a false expectation of the result1 as in our expression #8made a fool of4' ,so again is not an adverb #8already1' but rather a substantive1this present considered as now existing4 ,these technical words are all noticed as they occur1 and a sense given1 the proof of the correctness of which is that appropriate meaning is made in every place in which they occur4 ,as several are found nowhere else in ,scripture1 this is the only true method of coming at their meaning4 ,it is also worthy of notice that these words occur usually seven or ten times1 or some other round or mystic number4 ,this happens so frequently that it can hardly be accidental1 but ,i have seldom been able to trace any rule or law in this circumstance4 ,on the whole1 however1 it may be taken as an axiom that when ,koheleth uses a peculiar word1 he intends to express a peculiar idea1 and his meaning must be sought accordingly4 ,careful attention to this point clears up many difficulties4 ,alliteration and paronomasia occur with great and characteristic frequency1 a proof surely that the book was intended to be preached or delivered as an address4 ,it is1 of course1 very difficult to give these in the ,english version4 ,sometimes in the paraphrastic translation this is attempted by means of rhymes and alliterations4 ,i can hardly pronounce these quite successful1 and often have felt inclined to return to a more literal rendering1 but then this most characteristic feature of the book would have been lost to the ,english reader4 ,every one who has ever addressed an assembly knows how very telling these hits are1 and moreover they are of real importance to the commentator1 as bringing the words on which the alliteration depends into artificial prominence4 ,there is a danger1 no doubt1 that when once the mind is aroused to this1 that equivokes should be found where they were not intended2 but of this the reader must judge4 ,this perhaps is the best point at which to discuss the meaning of the word ,koheleth4 ,in its present form and pointing is the active feminine participle of ,kal of the verb 1 occurring as a verb only in niphal and hiphil4 ,the feminine noun occurs ,deuteronomy xxxiii4 #d1 i4e4 this word differently pointedwhich the ,,lxx4 render by 4 occurs ,nehemiah v4 #g1 rendered 4 ,with this before us it seems beside the mark to seek a meaning out of the root 4 ,according to the usage observable in this book1 feminines 7we should prefer to call them abstracts7 in differ from those in compare 1 chapter i4 #d2 the abstract in this form again becomes as it were a concrete4 ,thus we should incline to indorse the view enunciated by ,preston1 who considers the word to be represented by #8collector' or #8concionator' in ,latin4 ,both these meanings we believe are contained in the word1 and it is quite consistent with what we know of the style of ,ecclesiastes to admit that both these meanings were intended to be conveyed4 ,the discourse is a collection of separate but connected aphorisms on the transitoriness of human existencethe author is thus a collector of them2 and as the discourse was delivered apparently when collected1 he is a concionator or preacher also4 ,the word used by the ,,lxx41 1 occurs nowhere else1 either in the ,old or ,new ,testaments1 so that the precise meaning they affixed to the word is unknown4 ,in classical ,greek it means preacher4 ,the repetition of a word1 whether substantive or particle1 in the same sentence1 of course gives emphasis to that word2 to translate accurately1 therefore1 when this occurs1 we have to add some ,english equivalent1 such as #8this' or #8as well1' and so forth1 see ,commentary passim4 ,a careful attention to this rule will often considerably help to clear up obscure passages4 ,,on ,,the ,,peculiar ,,renderings ,,of ,,the ,,version ,,of ,,the ,,lxx4 ,the remark of ,delitzsch on the translation of the ,,lxx41 affixed to the ,book of ,psalms 7,delitzsch on the ,psalms1 ,clark's ,library1 ,edinburgh7 may be introduced here3#8,this translation1 as being the oldest key to the understanding of the language of the ,old ,testament writings1 as being the oldest mirror of the ,old ,testament text1 and as an important check upon the interpretation of ,scripture handed down in the ,talmud and ,midrash1 and in that portion of the national literature not originating in ,egypt1 is invaluable4' ,for this remark applies to the rendering of ,ecclesiastes in an equal1 if not greater degree1 and may be offered as an excuse1 if one be needed1 for the comparatively large space assigned to the discussion of the ,septuagint renderings4 ,a peculiarity which meets us in this book is the occurrence of the preposition followed by an accusative1 and in one case a genitive1 and which seldom if ever occurs in other books4 ,this apparently trifling circumstance1 which is usually treated as a barbarism1 will give the clue which will lead to some curious and interesting facts connected with the methods of translation adopted by the ,,lxx4 ,if we examine carefully and in detail the wording of the ,,lxx4 we can hardly fail to be struck with the excessive care that is taken to render in the exact order of the ,hebrewa remark which may be extended to other portions of this version1 the ,book of ,job being1 however1 a striking exception1 7and when there is any considerable departure1 in almost every instance hitherto examined a serious variation of text in the different recensions of the ,,lxx4 will be found to occur47 ,in ,ecclesiastes this order is so strict that1 with hardly an exception1 it would be possible to print the ,greek text as it stands as an interlinear translation4 ,this most interesting point deserves further investigation than appears as yet to have been given to it4 ,my own impression from this circumstance1 is that the version of the ,,lxx4 was made with the idea that those who used it had the ,hebrew before them1 and this hypothesis1 for in truth it is nothing more1 will ,i think group together more facts than any other suppositions which have been adopted to explain these strange renderings met with in the ,,lxx41as1 for example1 variation of original text1 wilful corruption on the part of the translators1 ,hagadic influence 7of which more presently71 and the like4 ,the ,,lxx4 have executed their work so well1 that notwithstanding this restriction which they thus laid upon themselves1 we have a very good translation1 which for many centuries was used as the sole representative of the ancient ,scriptures1 and on which the whole fabric of ancient theology was erected4 ,this interlinear character1 as we may call it1 of the version of the ,,lxx41 will explain why they render the same ,hebrew word by such very different ,greek equivalents4 ,in an interlinear translation there is no special value in uniform rendering2 rather the reverse4 ,it is better even to study variety than uniformity1 although we believe that the ,,lxx4 do neither the one nor the other1 but simply endeavour to give the best possible rendering of the passage before them4 ,for example1 the word is rendered in chapter iii4 #a1 #ag1 v4 #h 7#g71 viii4 #f1 by 1 and in the other three cases in which it occurs1 viz41 chapter v4 #d 7#c71 xii4 #a1 #aj1 by 4 ,now the real meaning of this word1 as we have shown1 is an agreeable providential occurrence1 or1 since all providential occurrences imply the ,divine will on their side1 any such whatever4 ,the ,,lxx4 use the one rendering or the other as best suits the context4 ,this book containing so large a number of technical words1 the meaning of which is to be sought by a careful comparison of all the passages in which they occur1 the renderings of the ,,lxx4 become of special interest4 ,the meaning compounded of the meanings of the ,,lxx4's renderings1 to use a mathematical simile1 will give us often the precise shade of signification of the ,hebrew of which we are in search1 and this will then approve itself as correct by its suitableness in every instance4 ,the same observation applies to the grammar of the ,greek as representing that of the ,hebrew4 ,there is no attempt whatever to render ,hebrew grammatical forms with any uniformity4 ,hebrew perfects are rendered by ,greek presents1 aorists1 or perfects2 ,hebrew presents by aorists or perfects4 ,participles are rendered sometimes by participles1 at others by principal verbs4 ,the same ,hebrew prepositions are sometimes rendered by different ,greek prepositions1 and sometimes simply by case-endings4 ,the relative is rendered by the relative1 by the pronoun1 and by 4 ,the ,hebrew conjugations are not represented on any settled principle2 ,piels are sometimes indeed apparently marked by a preposition compounded with the verb1 sometimes not noticed at all4 ,in certain cases in which the root is doubtful1 as for example in ain vaw1 and ain ain verbs1 the ,,lxx4 do not always follow the ,masoretic pointing and derivation4 ,on the whole1 however1 the deviations of the ,,lxx41 from both pointing and accentuation1 are more apparent than real1 and may be explained1 for the most part1 on the principle that the translators felt themselves obliged to follow the order of the words in the original4 ,we must1 however1 bear in mind that the present text of the ,,lxx4 is of all texts the most time-worn1 and often requires correction4 ,most providentially we do not depend on one recension2 we have in existing copies the remains of several1 and we may make use of them to restore the original readings4 ,the problem in this case differs essentially from that which meets us in revising the ,greek text of the ,new ,testament4 ,here diplomatic evidence has not the same weight as there4 ,emendations may be detected1 even when better readings of the ,hebrew1 by want of conformity to the ,hebrew order 7and the temptation to make such kind of alterations1 when the version was used independently1 would clearly be very great71 or again a comparison of the various readings will enable us to guess with tolerable confidence what the ,hebrew originally was4 ,in this way1 when the ,hebrew text is doubtful1 we can ascertain the correct reading by searching for that common origin from which the variants in the ,,lxx4 were derived1 and we may then turn round on the version with the help of the ,hebrew1 and show how the changes successively arose4 ,an instance of this will be found at chapter x4 #aj2 how far ,i have succeeded the reader must judge4 ,we must also bear in mind that what we should now denote by marginal renderings are in the ancient versions inserted in the text4 ,the interlinear character of the version enables us to detect this3 we find two ,greek words standing in place of a single ,hebrew equivalent4 ,the result of all this1 as applied in the ,book of ,ecclesiastes1 is to vindicate the accuracy of the received ,hebrew text1 and1 in a less degree1 of the pointing and accentuation also4 ,only in a very few instances is it needful to propose an emendation of the ,hebrew text1 and that where the ancient versions are apparently unanimous in requiring it4 ,there remains another point1 however4 ,dr4 ,ginsburg 7and from his extensive acquaintance with ,jewish literature no one is better qualified to give an opinion7 considers that ,hagadic influence must be taken largely into account in explaining difficult passages in ,ecclesiastes2 amongst other points he notices the rendering of by 1 which has been referred to already4 #8,commentators1' he says1 #8have been perplexed to account for this barbarism1 and violation of grammatical propriety1 but a reference to ,hagadic exegesis will show that this ,hebrew particle was looked up to as having a mystical signification1 because the two letters1 and 1 of which it is composed1 are the ,alpha and ,omega of the ,hebrew alphabet4 ,hence the anxiety of the translator to indicate this particle in ,greek1 when a passage appeared to him to be fraught with special mysteries4' ,but1 as he remarks1 it is only in twenty-nine instances out of seventy-one occurrences of this particle that it is so rendered by the ,,lxx4 ,moreover1 ,dr4 ,ginsburg has not shown that these passages are specially mysterious4 ,they are in fact neither more nor less so than some others in which this particle is not so rendered4 ,an examination of these passages will show1 we think convincingly1 that what the ,,lxx4 wished to do was to point out that was emphatic and with the meaning of #8respect to1' or the like1 as will be seen by reference to the ,commentary1 especially chapters ii4 #ag1 iii4 #ag1 vii4 #bf1 viii4 #h1 #ae4 ,the ,hagadic influence1 according to ,dr4 ,ginsburg1 is still more evident in the peculiar rendering of chapter ii4 #ab1 as well as chapters ii4 #ag1 iii4 #ae1 iv4 #ag1 v4 #a1 all which are fully treated in the ,commentary1 and the renderings of the ,,lxx4 explained and elucidated1 it is hoped satisfactorily4 ,so far from the true explanation of these renderings being found in the ,chaldee paraphrase1 as ,dr4 ,ginsburg imagines1 that version gives distorted interpretations of passages but partially understood4 ,again1 the gloss of the ,,lxx4 at chapter ii4 #ae is shared by the ,syriac1 and is a marginal reading2 chapter ii4 #ag is a verbatim reading of the ,hebrew in every particular2 and the gloss at chapter ii4 #i is too evidently foisted in from the margin to make it of much value in any argument4 ,see note there4 ,holding as ,i do the paramount authority of the ,,lxx41 ,i have not scrupled to follow them against the ,masoretic interpretation when the sense of a passage seemed to require it1 and ,i deem it a sufficient answer to any objections on this head1 that the rendering proposed is supported by the ,,lxx4 ,on the whole1 however1 these differences are1 as remarked above1 not very great1 and we have rather occasion for surprise1 not that there is here and there a divergence1 but that on the whole there is so substantial agreement4 ,the pointing which we have in our ,hebrew ,bibles embodies a most valuable and venerable tradition1 but in its present form younger by centuries than that furnished by the rendering of the ,,lxx4 ,while1 therefore1 we admit its great value1 we ought not to make its authority absolute1 and this is done to all intents and purposes by those who reject without question the ancient interpretation because it conflicts with the present pointing4 ,no language is too high to characterize our obligations to those ,jewish fathers who have guarded so faithfully that special trust committed to themthe oracles of ,god4 ,but the ,synagogue is no more infallible in matters of criticism than is the ,church4 ,neither the ,masorets nor the ,,lxx4 are inspired1 though inspiration has been by their respective partisans vehemently claimed for both4 ,each party1 also1 has unduly depreciated the other1 and the ,hebrew scholars have been for centuries divided into punctists and anti-punctists4 ,but as there is no royal road to learning1 so there is no short-cut to certainty2 the whole evidence1 let it come from whence it may1 must be diligently weighed and compared4 ,so far as the version of the ,,lxx4 is concerned1 this is not done until their errors1 or supposed errors1 have been at least duly explained and accounted for1 even when their renderings are rejected4 ,,other ,,versions ,,of ,,antiquity4 ,next in order in point of antiquity to the version of the ,,lxx4 stands the ,syriac ,peshito4 ,this ,i have sometimes quoted in the present ,commentary1 having considered it my duty to make myself acquainted with this version1 so that if ,i am not in a position to offer anything of my own1 ,i can follow other commentators1 and test their accuracy4 ,the citations are made from the edition of ,dr4 ,lee1 published by the ,bible ,society4 ,as might be expected1 the ,syriac version stands midway between the ,,lxx4 and ,masoretic text1 agreeing sometimes with the one and sometimes with the other4 ,it is often assumed that the peculiar renderings of the ,syriac which agree with the ,,lxx4 against the ,masoretic rendering1 arise from corrections of the former text by the latter2 this1 however1 is not proved4 ,the existence of such an element of correction may well be admitted1 but it is only one out of many1 and in some cases we shall1 ,i think1 have reason to conclude that the sense1 set aside as of no critical value by some commentators1 does in fact embody the real meaning of the passage under discussion4 ,see chapter x4 #aj for an instance of this4 ,the ,vulgate is generally accessible2 its value is subordinate as compared with the above-mentioned versions1 being only1 as is well known1 corrected from the ,hebrew by ,jerome4 ,sometimes1 however1 the evidence it affords of an ancient reading is all the more valuable on this account4 ,see the note at chapter x4 #aj4 ,the fragments of the ancient ,greek versions of ,aquila1 ,symmachus1 and ,theodotion are often of the very highest value1 and diligent use has been made of them4 ,the edition used is that of ,field1 ,originis ,hexapla1 edition by ,fridericus ,field1 ,oxford1 #ahfg1 vol4 ii4 ,the ,codex ,syriaco ,hexaplaris1 ,h4 ,middedorpf1 ,berlin1 #ahce1 has also been examined4 ,,the ,,translations ,,of ,,this ,,commentary4 ,two translations of this book are here offered to the reader1 the first1 dispersed through the notes1 denoted by bold-faced type1 is absolutely literal1 even to utter baldness1 and rigidly follows the exact order of the ,hebrew4 ,in the accompanying running commentary the construction of the sentences is carefully pointed out1 the rendering of the ,,lxx4 noted where peculiar1 and the attempt made in all cases to account for the peculiarity1 either by showing that they have preserved the true interpretation1 or else explaining how the error arose4 ,the sense thus obtained is embodied in the paraphrastic version printed at the head of the page4 ,there has been no attempt made to adopt1 in this latter translation1 the phraseology of the ,authorized ,version2 rather the reverse1 as it is not intended to be independent1 but is to be regarded as of the nature of an explanatory commentary or an ,english ,targum upon the text4 ,it also seeks to render idea for idea rather than word for word1 and gives in every case the meaning which on the whole seemed most probable1 and squared best with the context4 ,it attempts also to represent equivokes and alliterations in the original1 by corresponding equivokes and alliterationsnot necessarily in the equivalent words of the translation1and points out1 by figures1 italics1 and other typographical signs1 instances of artificial arrangement of topics and the like2 see ,chapters ,i4 and ,,ii41 etc4 ,to the ,english reader a caution is here needed4 ,the very nature of such a version requires that all be made to run quite smoothly2 thus1 however obscure the passage1 a sense is given1 and difficulties are put out of sight4 ,but after all this only represents the meaning the commentator thinks most probable1 and he may be quite wrong1 and altogether mistaken4 ,such a version is after all a ,targumin other words1 a well-meaning attempt at explanation1 with some amplification1 of the sacred text4 ,in dealing then with it let the reader imitate the ,jews of old1 who1 when they read the sacred text itself1 did so with every outward manifestation of respect and deference2 but when they came to read the ,targum altered their manner1 and showed by posture and gesture that they clearly regarded this as but a mere exposition of the ,divine ,word1 and of no authority4 ,the following works are assumed to be easily accessible to ,english readers3,ecclesiastes1 ,theodore ,preston1 ,london1 #ahde2 ,commentary on ,ecclesiastes1 ,moses ,stuart1 ,new ,york1 #ahea2 ,coheleth1 by ,christian ,d4 ,ginsburg1 ,london1 #ahfa2 ,ecclesiastes or ,koheleth1 by ,dr4 ,otto ,zckler1 edited by ,prof4 ,taylor ,lewis1 ,,ll4,d41 ,edinburgh1 #ahgj2 ,commentary on the ,bible1 ,c4 ,wordsworth1 ,bishop of ,lincoln1 ,london1 #ahfh4 ,the work of ,dr4 ,ginsburg especially will be found indispensable4 ,dr4 ,ginsburg has stated at length1 and for the most part in the writers' own words1 the different opinions of critics1 ,jewish and ,christian1 who have written on this book4 ,his vast reading and erudition are thus made available for future scholars4 ,once for all1 ,i must acknowledge the deep obligation ,i am under to his work4 ,if in many of my renderings ,i am compelled to differ from him1 ,i am not the less indebted to him on that account4 ,if ,i have really seen further than he has1 it is only because he has1 so to speak1 allowed me to mount on his shoulders4 ,any one who takes the trouble to compare my work with his will see that most of my renderings could have been supported by a name of weight4 ,if1 however1 ,i have the authority of the ,,lxx4 in my favour1 ,i am content1 and cite no others4 ,i have1 however1 not failed to resort to such of the commentators in ,dr4 ,ginsburg's list1 ,german and ,english1 as well as some published since the appearance of his book1 as would be likely to give additional light4 ,the work of ,dr4 ,graetz1 ,kohelet oder der ,salomonische ,prediger1 von ,dr4 ,h4 ,graetz1 ,leipzig1 #ahga1 did not come to hand until the larger portion of this commentary was in type4 ,the texts made use of are those contained in the ,polyglotten ,bibel1 zum praktischen ,handgebrauch bearbeitet von ,r4 ,stier1 und ,r4 ,g4 ,w4 ,theile1 ,dritte ,auflage1 ,bielfeld1 #ahfd4 ,the following notation of ,,ms4 and ,editions from the above work is adopted in the commentary3 ,a ,alexandrine text4 ,a ,alexandrine ,manuscript4 ,a ,alexandrine ,edition1 ,grabe1 ,breitinger1 ,reineccius4 ,b ,vatican text4 ,b ,vatican ,manuscript4 ,b ,roman ,edition1 #aehg4 ,c ,codex ,frederico-,augustanus 7of ,tischendorf47 ,d ,codex ,ephraemi rescriptus 7of ,tischendorf47 ,e ,editio ,aldina1 #aeah4 ,f ,complutensium ,polyglot4 ,x ,other ,,ms4 not especially named4 ,it may also be noticed that all citations are from chapter and verse as in the ,authorized ,version2 where these differ from the ,hebrew1 the latter is added in a bracketthus chapter v4 #i 7#h74 ,,ecclesiastes4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the words of the ,preacher1 ,,the discourse of the ,preacher1 the son of ,david1 king of the son of ,david1 king of ,jerusalem4 ,jerusalem4 ,i4 7#a47 ,the words of ,koheleth1 the son of ,david1 king in ,jerusalem4 ,the meaning of the term ,koheleth1 and the question of authorship of the book1 is discussed in the introduction4 ,we have only to remark here on the use of the word as it occurs in this book in the technical sense not only of a #8word' or #8reason1' but also including the matter or thing which the word represents4 ,usually it refers to words1 reasonings1 and matters connected with the mysteries of ,providencethe whole treatise itself being argumentative and didactic1 discussing the vanity1 that is1 the transitoriness1 of human existence1 as its topic4 ,,section ,i4,the vanity or evanescence of all things human4 #b ,vanity of vanities1 ,utterly evanescent1 utterly saith the ,preacher1 vanity of evanescent1 saith the ,preacher2 vanities2 all is vanity4 the whole is evanescent4 7#b47 ,vanity of vanities1 said ,koheleth2 vanity of vanities 7very emphatic71 the whole 71 with the article giving a slightly different notion to 1 the #8whole collectively' therefore2 the word is equivalent to the ,greek 1 with the limitation however to human life in this world1 as will become manifest in the course of the book7 is vanity1 71 that which is #8evanescent' or #8transitory1' but never used in the modern sense of being frivolous or empty47 ,there is nothing of scoffing epicureanism in this book2 the life of man is ever spoken of in the most serious and solemn tones4 ,there is1 indeed1 much sarcasm1 but it never touches upon lightness or indifference2 it is always grave and solemn1 and even when to superficial observation appearing equivocal or sceptical1 proves1 on further examination1 to hide promises and hopes beneath its bitterness4 ,this first verse may be looked upon as the text or topic of the discourse2 ,koheleth next proceeds to work out the argument suggested by it in detail4 #c ,what profit hath a man ,is there any profitable of all his labour which he result to ,humanity in all taketh under the sun8 his cares1 over which he ever moils1 in this hot work-day world8 ,no1 for 7#c47 ,what is8 7expecting the answer no1 and so nearly equivalent to a denial7 the profit 71 a word peculiar to this bookoccurs chapter i4 #c2 ii4 #aa1 #ac twice2 iii4 #i2 v4 #i 7#h71 #af 7#ae72 vii4 #ab2 x4 #aj1 #aa;i4e4 ten times in all2 it is a technical word1 and is used to signify that which remains over and above after the act is performed1 and apart from its present results4 ,koheleth uses frequently these nouns ending in thus #8to extend1' #8run over1' #8remainder1' #8remember1' #8remembrance1' etc4 ,these nouns are in their nature abstracts1 but differ from the ordinary abstracts2 see chapter i4 #ad7 to man 71 this word occurs in its different combinations forty-eight times in this book1 and always with the signification of man as a member of the human race4 ,there is a tone of personification about the word similar to that which occurs in the expression #8the old ,adam2' when this generic character is not to be expressed1 then or is used instead2 see chapters i4 #h2 ix4 #ad and #ae71 in all his toil 71 a favourite word of ,koheleth1 and used as frequently in this book as in all the rest of ,scripture put together4 ,the exact meaning to be affixed to it1 and which1 carefully kept in view1 will be found to explain more than one otherwise obscure passage1 is that toil1 care1 or anxiety which labour produces1 and answers to the idea contained in our metaphor #8takes pains2' see chapter ii4 #bj71 which he toils at 7this is the first instance which occurs of the contracted relative joined to the word4 ,koheleth uses also the full relative 1 but with a slight difference of meaning4 ,the contracted relative refers to the word only which it joins1 and in case of verbs often gives a subjunctive or optative meaning2 the full relative refers back to the whole idea or clause4 ,hence the meaning of this passage is this1 #8,is there any abiding advantage to humanity of the pains of his labouring in so far as he does take pains1 or toils'7 under the sun 7or in this present state of existence74 ,the phrase occurs twenty-five times in this book1 and is always expressive of a limitation4 ,it shows that what is affirmed is to be understood as confined to its relation to this sublunary existence only4 ,the idea implied is that of man toiling under the sun in the heat of the day in the sweat of his brow 7,genesis iii4 #ag71 and earnestly desiring the shadow 7,job vii4 #b71 which shadow is yet the symbol of decaying life4 ,it is true that ,ecclesiastes is never quoted in the ,new ,testament1 but there are certainly several allusions to it1 more or less direct2 one of these apparently occurs ,revelation vii4 #af3 1 1 ' ' 1 #8,they shall hunger no more1 neither thirst any more1 neither shall the sun light on them by day1 nor any heat4' ,the ,chaldee ,targum expresses this idea quaintly but forcibly3 #8,what advantage is there to a man after his death from all his labour which he laboured under the sun in this world1 except he studied the word of ,god1 in order to receive a good reward in the world to come from before the ,lord of the world8' ,in order to remind the reader of this meaning of the words #8under the sun1' ,i have whenever they occur paraphrased them by #8in this hot work-day world'not that this paraphrase is quite satisfactory1 but it is the best ,i could find4 ,to answer the above question1 ,koheleth cites eight different instances2 four from natural1 and four from moral experience4 ,those we might call the eight unbeatitudes of this sermon4 #d ,one generation passeth ,i4 ,a generation comes1 and away1 and another generation that generation departs4 ,but cometh3 but the earth abideth the earth the same abides4 for ever4 7#d47 ,a generation comes 7i4e4 proceeds2 the word occurs five times in the passage74 ,a generation sets 7using exactly the same word as for the setting of the sun in the next verse71 but the earth to the age abideth 7i4e4 remains the same as it was #8to the age' this word is used in a technical sense1 and occurs chapters i4 #d1 #aj2 ii4 #af2 iii4 #aa1 #ad2 ix4 #f2 and xii4 #e in this book4 ,the ,,lxx4 render by 1 which ,bengel says is #8sculum prsens1 mundus in sua indole cursu et censu4' ,hengstenberg observes that it is not an absolutely endless eternity1 but only a future of unlimited length4 ,bengel's definition1 #8the present period in its quality1 course1 and account1' is exactly what the word signifies in this book4 ,it is to be noticed that each instance of change is followed by a sentence which points out that this change is resultless4 ,in the first1 the fluctuating and fleeting generations or life-periods of man contrast with the absolute endurance of an unchanged order of things74 #8,the great mill-wheel of existence only revolves for the same cogs to come uppermost again and again4',hamilton1 ,royal ,preacher4 #e ,the sun also ariseth1 ,,ii4 ,bursts forth the sun1 and the sun goeth down1 and and sets that sun again2 and hasteth to his place where wearily advancing1 bursts he arose4 forth as he did before4 ,hebrew panteth4 7#e47 ,and rises 7i4e4 #8bursts out' or #8irradiates'7 the sun1 and sets the sun 7as #8sun' is repeated1 the second is equivalent to that same sun7 and towards his place panting 7this word #8pant1' 1 occurs ,job vii4 #b2 ,psalm lvii4 #c2 ,psalm cxix4 #aca1 and denotes earnest desire3 the metaphor is a very beautiful one in this context7rising 7irradiating7 is he there4 #f ,the wind goeth toward the ,,iii4 ,going southwards1 and south1 and turneth about unto twisting northwards1 twisting1 the north2 it whirleth about twisting goes the blast2 and continually1 and the wind so with all its twistings the returneth again according to wind returns4 his circuits4 7#f47 ,going 7i4e4 #8walking1' #8proceeding1' as in verse #d7 towards the south 7the quarter of warm winds71 and turning round towards the north 7the place of cold71 turning turns1 going the wind 7there is in the ,hebrew a concourse of sibilant letters imitating the sound of the wind1 which is attempted to be rendered in the paraphrase71 and in its turnings returns the wind 7that is1 ever goes round in the same circuits1 as the ,authorized ,version translates74 ,thus we have an allusion to the four cardinal points of the universe1 ,north1 ,south1 ,east1 and ,west4 #g ,all the rivers run into ,,iv4 ,all the torrents are the sea2 yet the sea is running towards the sea1 that not full2 unto the place sea which never overflows2 from whence the rivers come1 to the place where these thither they return again4 torrents are hastening1 thither they are only ,hebrew return to go4 returning to go back4 7#g47 ,all the torrents 71 a mountain stream especially7 are going to the sea1 and the sea it is not full 7equivalent to #8that sea which is never filled or any fuller'71 to the place to which the rivers 7contract relative1 meaning these same rivers7 are going1 thence are they returning to go back4 7,so the ,,lxx42 others with the ,authorized ,version translate1 #8,thither they return again4'7 ,it is to be remarked that this fact is scientifically accurate in statement4 ,the ,targum has the gloss that the rivers flow into the ocean which surrounds the world like a ring1 and that they return again through the subterranean channels1 but ,koheleth knows nothing of such false philosophy4 #h ,all things are full of ,v4 ,all matters are fatiguing2 labour2 man cannot utter it3 impossible for any one to the eye is not satisfied with reason out4 ,never is the eye seeing1 nor the ear filled satisfied by seeing1 nor ever with hearing4 the ear filled with sound4 7#h47 ,all the words 7with the article1 and therefore generic2 #8matters' or #8things1' in the technical sense of things reasoned about1 see verse #a7 are fatiguing 7so the ,,lxx4 and ,vulgate2 ,ginsburg has #8feeble2' ,preston1 #8in activity2' and ,hengstenberg1 #8all words become weary2' but the ancient verses make better sense with the context71 not possible is it for a man 7not here1 but #8one1' or #8any one'7 to utter them 71 #8to speak rationally concerning them1' and so to account for their existence or explain their nature4 ,the impossibility of exhausting a subject by talking or reasoning about it is here the point1 as is evident from the order of the words72 not satisfied 7answering to the #8not possible' above7 is the eye with seeing1 and not is filled the ear by sound 7or by what it hears74 ,so then1 while the consideration of any matter is pretty sure to produce weariness1 it is quite certain not to produce satisfaction4 #i ,the thing that hath been1 ,,vi4 ,whatever has been8 'tis it is that which shall be2 just the same as will be2 and and that which is done is whatever has been done8 'tis that which shall be done3 just the same as will be done4 and there is no new thing ,so there is nothing altogether under the sun4 new within this work-day world4 7#i47 ,what is that which has been8 it is the same which will be2 and what is that which has been done8 it is the same which will be done 7so the ,,lxx41 literally following the ,heb4 text71 and there is nothing all new under the sun4 ,the ,authorized ,version understands by this #8no new thing2' but the peculiar position of this word #8all' seems to imply that #8nothing' must be taken with some slight qualification1nothing morally new4 ,the next verse admits material novelty4 #aj ,is there any thing ,,vii4 ,no doubt there occurs whereof it may be said1 ,see1 a matter such that people this is new8 it hath been say1 ,see1 now this is really already of old time1 which was new4 ,the present was it once before us4 in some age before our time4 7#aj47 ,there is 71 which is so far different from that it assumes the existence as a fact1 #8,there really are matters which are called new'7 a matter which one says 7contracted relative joined to the verb1 and giving an emphasis to it1 equivalent therefore to our #8of which it may be said1 indeed'7 see this new it is 7emphatic7 the present 7 occurs eight times1 viz41 i4 #aj1 ii4 #ab1 #af1 iii4 #ae twice1 iv4 #b1 vi4 #aj1 and ix4 #f1 #g;in ,ecclesiastes only2 it is a technical word used to denote the present state of things1 that part of the or #8age' which is now in existence4 ,in the later ,hebrew and ,syriac it is used as an adverb1 #8already1' but that is not its use here4 ,this remark is the more important because it is one of those so-called ,aramaic words1 the occurrence of which is supposed to indicate the late period of this book's composition4 ,a careful observance of its real import will throw considerable light on several very obscure passages4 ,generally1 it may be taken for granted that if ,koheleth uses a new word or form not known in other parts of the ,scriptures1 it is because he desires to indicate a new idea47 ,it was to the ages which 7full relative1 referring back1 therefore1 to the whole sentence7 were from before us 7as we have ages in the plural1 followed by a singular verb1 1 the meaning is some one of the ages74 ,this thing which is said to be new is really one of those forgotten matters which existed in one or other of the eras which were before our time4 #aa ,there is no remembrance ,,viii4 ,there is no remembrance of former things2 neither of former matters2 and so also shall there be any with regard to subsequent ones remembrance of things that which will be1 there will be no are to come with those that remembrance with those who will shall come after4 succeed them4 7#aa47 ,there is nothing of remembrance 7or memorial7 to former events 7or persons7 and in addition to succeeding events which will be4 ,there will not be to them 7emphatic7 a remembrance 7the repetition of this word shows it to be the prominent word of the sentence7 amongst those which shall be to 7i4e4 belonging to7 the last of all 7so the ,,lxx47 ,we have here the feminine form1 4 ,koheleth usually expresses the abstracts by this form1 and so here4 ,thus1 then1 we find that history always repeats itself3 not so1 however1 that its events can be anticipated1 but always so that its teachings may be forgotten4 ,this then forms the first division of the book4 ,by these eight instances ,koheleth proves the existence of unceasing toilsome care and resultless progression in all human things4 ,he proceeds in the next place to give his own personal experience1 in the form of an autobiography to the same effect4 ,all commentators1 even those who deny that ,solomon himself was the author of this book1 are agreed that he is the hero1 and that his life and experience form the groundwork of what is here set before us4 ,,section ,,ii4,containing a more formal discussion of the problem of human existence1 drawn from the ,preacher's own observation and experience4 #ab ,i the ,preacher was king ,now1 ,i myself1 the ,preacher1 over ,israel in ,jerusalem4 was king over ,israel in ,jerusalem1 7#ab47 ,i 7emphatic7 ,koheleth was king over ,israel in ,jerusalem4 ,ginsburg supposes that by this declaration that he was king1 he intends to imply that he was so no longer2 but not only does the ,,lxx4 render by an imperfect1 but the same word occurs in precisely the same form at ,exodus ii4 #bb1 and clearly at the time there mentioned ,moses continued to be a stranger in ,midian4 ,the object in stating this fact is rather to show that as a king he possessed peculiar facilities for making the investigation1 an account of which follows4 #ac ,and ,i gave my heart to and ,i took the greatest pains seek and search out by wisdom to seek out and to investigate concerning all things that by means of wisdom everything are done under heaven3 this that is done within the limits sore travail hath ,god given of this world2 how it is a to the sons of man to be painful uncertainty appointed exercised therewith4 of ,god to the human race that they should be distracted with ,or1 to afflict them4 it4 7#ac47 ,and ,i set my heart 7gave great pains to1 or thought much on1 see i4 #ag1 vii4 #ba1 viii4 #i1 #aj2 ,daniel x4 #ab2 #a ,chronicles xxii4 #ai7 to inquiring 71 being used of something lost or hidden1 ,genesis xxv4 #bb1 ,deuteronomy xxii4 #b7 and to investigating 71 refers to spying out or searching1 ,numbers xiii4 #ae1 chapter vii4 #be7 in wisdom 7the ,authorized ,version considers that wisdom was the means by which inquiry was made7 concerning 71 over7 all which 7equivalent to #8all that which'7 is done 7but being niphal it has an objective sense1 and includes what is suffered7 under the heavens 7this formula occurs chapter ii4 #c1 and iii4 #a1 and is of larger import than under the sun7 it is 7#8,i mean that' is the equivalent expression in ,english7 uncertainty 71 this is another technical word1 it occurs eight times1 chapter i4 #ac1 ii4 #bc1 #bf1 iii4 #aj1 iv4 #h1 v4 #c 7#d71 viii4 #af1 and a careful comparison of places will show that the meaning is #8uncertainty1' accompanied with #8anxiety' as to what is to happen in the future7 which is an evil 7for it is without the article7 given of ,god 7without the article2 because ,god is here used personally1 it is nominative to of course1 but as the nominative follows the verb1 this is the best way of rendering in this case7 to the sons of the ,adam 7the #8whole human race' is the meaning of this form71 that they may be made anxious 7,,lxx4 7 therewith 7emphatic74 #ad ,i have seen all the works ,i perceived with respect to that are done under the sun2 all the actions whatsoever1 in and1 behold1 all is vanity so far as they are performed and vexation of spirit4 within this work-day world1 that they are certainly all of them 7#a47 evanescent1 7#b47 a vexation of spirit1 7#ad47 ,i have seen 7,i have observed1 that is7 with respect to all actions 7 is here emphatic as standing first7 which are performed 7niphal and contracted relative1 hence having the meaning in so far as they are or may be done7 under the sun 7for without this limitation the above proposition would not be true71 and behold 7asserting a matter of fact patent to all7 the whole 7with the article and in its usual sense1 see chapter i4 #b7 is a vanity 7i4e4 an instance of something evanescent7 and a vexation of spirit 71 occurs seven times in this book1 viz41 chapters i4 #ad1 ii4 #aa1 #ag1 #bf1 iv4 #d1 #f1 and vi4 #i2 occurs three times1 i4 #ag1 ii4 #bb1 iv4 #af4 ,these words have usually been regarded as absolutely synonymous1 and hitherto the difference of meaning has not been noticed2 but there is a slight difference1 as a comparison of places will show4 ,the exact sense to be attached to them is a matter of dispute1 and #8a windy notion1' #8striving after the wind1' have been proposed1 but the rendering of the ,,lxx41 1 #8distraction1' represents the meaning best4 ,with regard to we may notice that it is formed quite regularly from 1 which is #8evil1' in the sense of something that #8hurts' or #8offends1' and is in the nature of a collective plural2 so do we account at once for the peculiar pointing and for the rendering of the ,,lxx4 ,on the other hand1 has1 as nouns with this termination usually have1 a more subjective meaning2 the distinction between the two is that between #8vexations of' and #8vexing of' spirit2 thus in verse #ag1 where the trouble came from his own spirit1 caused by his inability to explain the difficulty which confronted him in his argument1 ,koheleth uses the subjective form74 #ae ,that which is crooked 7#c47 a perplexity which it is cannot be made straight3 and impossible to set right1 7#d47 that which is wanting cannot a defect which it is equally be numbered4 impossible to account for4 ,hebrew defect4 7#ae47 ,a crookedness 7occurs chapters vii4 #ac1 xii4 #c1 and ,amos viii4 #e1 whence it appears that the precise meaning is moral obliquity7 not enabled to be set in order 7occurs chapter i4 #ae1 vii4 #ah1 xii4 #i1 only71 a defect 7occurs here only1 but see ,deuteronomy xxviii4 #dh1 #eg1 where the root is used of famine1 and #a ,kings xvii4 #af1 to denote the failure of the oil7 not enabled 7repeated1 hence we must render #8it is equally impossible'7 to be numbered 7infinitive plural niphal74 ,the meaning of this verse has been very much disputed1 but if it be considered as the sequel to what went immediately before1 the sense will be quite plain4 ,we may discern in it a fourfold description of human life1 in respect of its cares and anxieties and uncertainties1 the first point being 7i47 that this care is for something evanescent2 7ii47 that it is vexatious2 7iii47 and then this anxiety is useless1 because life is so perverted as to be beyond the possibility of being set in order by any care of ours2 7iv47 and so defective that no account can be given which would set it right3 #8which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature8' #af ,i communed with mine own ,i reasoned over the matter heart1 saying1 ,lo1 ,i am come with my own heart to this to great estate1 and have effect4 ,i who have1 it appears1 gotten more wisdom than all become greater and more they that have been before advanced in wisdom than any who me in ,jerusalem3 yea1 my were before me in ,jerusalem1 heart had great experience and experienced over the widest of wisdom and knowledge4 extent of wisdom and knowledge1 ,hebrew had seen much4 7#af47 ,reasoned ,i myself together with my heart to say 7as reasoned stands first1 this is the subject of the whole1 and the words #8to say1' 1 are the usual formula of introduction of the thing said2 they are equivalent to our #8to this effect4' ,this then is ,koheleth's reasoning1 the result of which is to be given71 ,i behold 7stating it as an admitted and patent fact7 ,i have been made great1 and ,i have been added to in wisdom above all which were before me in ,jerusalem1 and my heart has seen the much 7with the article expressed2 equivalent therefore to very much1 or as much as possible of7 wisdom and knowledge4 #ag ,and ,i gave my heart and have set my heart earnestly to know wisdom1 and to know to know wisdom1 and to know madness and folly3 ,i perceived false successes from real acts that this also is vexation of of prudence1 know but this3 it spirit4 is simply vexing one's spirit2 7#ag47 ,and ,i have given my heart in order to know wisdom 7that is1 he made wisdom his special study and object7 and the knowledge of 7#8know' being repeated rises into special prominence1 and hence the meaning is to know wisdom1 or to be wise enough to recognise7 false expectations and prudences4 7,this passage is one of great difficulty1 but the exact sense will become apparent on investigating the meaning of the two words and 2 now occurs chapter i4 #ag1 ii4 #ab1 vii4 #be1 ix4 #c1 and pointed with ,shurek at x4 #ac1 and is peculiar to ,ecclesiastes4 ,it is a technical word1 and is correctly translated #8folly1' but it is that kind of folly which displays itself in false joy4 ,the future poel from which this noun is derived occurs ,job xii4 #ag1 chapter vii4 #g1 ,isaiah xliv4 #be2 and the participle at chapter ii4 #b1 ,psalm cii4 #hi4 ,thus we see the connexion between this sense and the more ordinary one of #8praise2' it is the #8bepraised' used in a bad sense4 ,the word occurs here only1 but it is rendered by the ,,lxx4 1 and by the ,syriac 7 ,syriac71 compare also ,genesis xli4 #cc1 with the meaning #8prudence1' and with this agrees the later ,hebrew4 ,now these meanings make consistent sense4 ,koheleth wished to know wisdom and the knowledge of folly and prudence2 in other words1 to have a wisdom which could tell the one from the other4 ,thus the ,,lxx4 render by 1 which ,a has altered into 2 this apparently very strange rendering is thus intelligible enough1 especially to those who had the ,hebrew before them4 ,to alter the text to 1 as some have proposed1 is not even to cut the ,gordian knot1 for with the true meaning of this word1 #8clever-folly1' #8false-wisdom1' no better sense will be made1 although it is quite possible that may have been chosen for the equivoke it gives1 not even differing in sound1 if the pointing can be trusted1 from 4 ,the truth is that so much of our elaborate wisdom and best plans are but elaborate mistakes1 that to attempt to judge the one from the other is a hopeless task4 ,hence then the following7 ,i know 7this is the fourth time this word occurs in the clause1 thus it is brought out with the very strongest prominence1 and gives the meaning #8what ,i do know is'7 that even this 71 compare places chapter ii4 #ae1 viii4 #ad1 has a peculiar meaning1 expressive of surprise that this should be so7 really is vexing of spirit 71 not 1 as above2 because in this case the vexation is subjective1the idea conveyed by the whole passage being #8what ,i do know as the result of my wisdom and knowledge being just even this1 that it is only a vexing of the spirit'74 ,it may be observed that occurs in the ,chaldee of ,danielsee ,daniel ii4 #bi1 #cj2 iv4 #ai 7#af72 v4 #f1 etc41 always in the sense of a #8painful reflection1' but in later ,chaldee and ,syriac as #8a reflection' of any kind4 ,as the sense in which ,koheleth uses the word is the nearest to the root-meaning1 is it not an evidence1 so far1 of earlier composition of his book8 #ah ,for in much wisdom because1 in increasing wisdom1 is much grief3 and he there is an increase also of that increaseth knowledge disappointment1 and what adds increaseth sorrow4 to one's knowledge adds to one's sorrow4 7#ah47 ,for 7introducing a reason for this conclusion as follows7 in much wisdom is much grief 7grief in the sense of #8vexation1' caused by disappointmentsee chapter ii4 #bc1 vii4 #c1 #i1 xi4 #aj1 #a ,samuel i4 #f4 ,the ,,lxx4 translate by 1 #8knowledge'6 ,is it possible that they intended to refer to ,genesis ii4 #ag1 using in a bad sense87 and he that increases knowledge increases sorrow 7chapter ii4 #bc2 ,exodus iii4 #g1 of the ,israelitish sorrows at the hands of their task-masters74 #8,in a world like this much science is much sorrow1 for it is the knowledge of penury1 the statistics of starvation1 the assurance that our case is desperate4',hamilton4 8xvii40 replaced with 8#ag0 ,even the wisdom of ,solomon having failed to find any solution of the problem of human anxiety1 he next tries mirth1 but with no better success4 ,this experiment takes only two verses to record1 for it was but soon over4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,i ,,said in mine heart1 ,go ,,said then ,i in my heart1 to now1 ,i will prove thee ,come now1 ,i will try thee with with mirth1 therefore enjoy mirth1 and so get a sight of a pleasure3 and1 behold1 this real-good2 but see now1 this is also is vanity4 altogether an evanescent thing4 ,of laughter1 ,i said ,delirium3 ,,ii4 7#a47 ,i said1 even ,i 7the personal pronoun is not redundant1 it indicates that ,koheleth is recording his own experience71 in my heart 7this formula usually introduces in this book a thought more specious than true71 ,come now1 ,i will try thee with mirth and see into good 7i4e4 still addressing his heart1 #8to see a real good2' is used in this book as a technical word1 like bonum in the summum bonum72 and behold 7stating a manifest fact7 also this 7emphatic1 signifying this same mirth7 is a vanity 7an evanescent thing2 joy or mirth then is too short-lived to be considered a real good74 #b ,i said of laughter1 ,it and of mirth1 ,what will that is mad3 and of mirth1 ,what do8 doeth it8 7#b47 ,to laughter ,i said1 ,madness 7that which is made mad1 see note to chapter i4 #ag71 and to pleasure 7or mirth71 ,what doth that do8 7as this expects the answer ,no1 it is very nearly equivalent to #8,it does nothing4'7 7,the ,syriac reads here 7 ,syriac71 #8,what is the usefulness1' #8gratification1' or #8delight'8 ,it seems then as if the translators of this version recognised a play upon the words 1 #8what a folly1' and 1 #8befooled1'this being one of those equivokes in which ,koheleth delights4 ,the ,,lxx4 render verbatim1 as is their custom1 2 #8why doest thou this8' but possibly with the same intention47 ,koheleth next tries material enjoyment4 ,the meaning of the following passage has been much disputed2 we shall follow the rendering suggested by the ,,lxx41 which gives clear and intelligible sense4 #c ,i sought in mine heart ,i tried with my heart to to give myself unto wine1 yet allure as wine does one's flesh acquainting mine heart with 7that heart1 however1 being wisdom2 and to lay hold on conducted with wisdom71 and so folly1 till ,i might see what get a hold over false wisdom1 was that good for the sons so that ,i might see thereby of men1 which they should do where lies the real good to under the heaven all the days the children of men1 when they of their life4 are working in this world1 as the tale of their daily lives4 ,hebrew to draw my flesh ,accordingly with wine4 ,hebrew the number of the days of their life4 7#c47 ,i investigated with my heart 7or in my heart2 but the former makes better sense4 ,his heart was the medium through which the investigation was made4 ,he wanted to see if material enjoyment would satisfy his heart1 i4e4 the emotional part of his nature7 in order to a drawing with wine 7the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8as wine1' but they probably did not read otherwise than our present text1 for this as represents the which follows7 as to my flesh 7the meaning of the ,hebrew is that he drew or enticed with wine with respect to his flesh1 and that hence his object in using the wine was to entice the flesh4 ,the rendering of the ,,lxx4 is ad sensum1 preserving also a rendering of each word71 and my heart led 7i4e4 as a man leads an animal1 ,psalm lxxx4 #a1 ,isaiah xi4 #f4 ,as #8heart' is repeated1 we have the meaning #8that same heart'7 with wisdom 7because unless he enjoyed wisely he would not enjoy at all7 and 7repeated in the same clause1 equal therefore to #8and so'7 to lay hold of false wisdom 71 occurs chapters ii4 #c1 #ab1 #ac1 vii4 #be1 x4 #a1 #ac1 and is peculiar to this book4 ,the ,,lxx4 render #8pleasure1' which1 however ,a alters to 1 #8folly1' the reason of which will appear presently4 ,the meaning of the root is to #8play1' or #8act the fool1' and in this respect differs from 1 which has the idea of #8stupidity1' and in the hiphil form1 #8made stupid1' or #8befooled4' ,in all the ten places in which the root occurs in other parts of ,scripture1 we find the meaning of elaborateness and subtilty as well as folly2 compare #a ,samuel xiii4 #ac1 ,saul's burnt-offering in the absence of ,samuel2 #b ,samuel xxiv4 #aj2 #a ,chronicles xxi4 #h1 ,david's numbering the people2 #b ,chronicles xvi4 #i1 ,asa's reliance on ,syria2 #b ,samuel xv4 #ca1 ,ahithophel's counsel2 similarly ,isaiah xliv4 #be1 where knowledge is said to be misused2 so also 1 occurs ,jeremiah iv4 #bb1 v4 #ba1 has evidently the same shade of meaning4 ,it is hard to find a single word which will render it2 #8foolish wisdom' or #8clever follies' are the best combinations that occur4 ,it will be seen also1 in referring to the lexicon1 that the ,,lxx41 who translate by 1 apparently use the word occasionally in a sinister aspect1 see ,proverbs xxx4 #cb1 ,sira xiii4 #h4 ,the ,syriac here reads 7 ,syriac word7 7see i4 #ag71 #8prudence1' #8intelligence1' contrary to its interpretation in other places4 ,on the whole1 however1 it is not difficult to see why the ,,lxx4 rendered as they did4 ,that this pleasure was of a bad kind1 or deceptive1 the sequel shows1 but it may be doubted whether their rendering preserved the meaning of 1 even if1 which is not impossible1 they themselves understood it74 ,until ,i should see where 7in the sense of whereabouts1 see #a ,samuel ix4 #h7 is this good to the sons of ,adam1 which 7full relative1 referring back to the whole idea1 equivalent therefore to #8what good it is which'7 they do under the sun the number of the days of their lives 7this phrase occurs chapter ii4 #c1 v4 #ah 7#ag71 vi4 #ab1 as #8the tale1' or #8account of the days1' of their lives2 an additional limitation to the words #8under the sun'74 ,in making this experiment he began to work and toil more than ever4 #d ,i made me great works2 ,i ,i increased my works4 builded me houses2 ,i planted me vineyards3 7#a47 ,i built for myself houses4 7#b47 ,i planted for myself vineyards4 7#d47 ,i increased my work1 ,i built for myself 7this emphatic #8myself' occurs eight times in the passage1 and is therefore its key-word7 houses1 ,i planted for myself vineyards4 #e ,i made me gardens and 7#c47 ,i made for myself orchards1 and ,i planted trees gardens and parks1 and planted in them of all kind of in them fruit-trees of every fruits3 kind4 7#e47 ,i made for myself gardens and parks1 and planted in them trees of every kind of fruit4 ,it should have been mentioned that is also considered to afford an indication of late composition4 ,it is said to be a ,persian word2 it occurs1 however1 ,nehemiah ii4 #h2 ,canticles iv4 #aj4 ,the word admits of ,semitic derivation1 from 1 #8to divide1' #8cut off in portions1' #8lay out4' ,if it be really an exotic1 no date of introduction is more probable than that of ,solomon4 ,it is also to be noted that in the context it follows the word #8gardens1' which is quite natural if it were intended to denote a foreign luxury recently introduced4 #f ,i made me pools of water1 7#d47 ,i made for myself to water therewith the wood reservoirs with which to that bringeth forth trees3 irrigate meadows and growing copses4 7#f47 ,i made for myself pools of water to irrigate from them the meadows shooting forth trees4 7,this1 which contains #8for myself' four times1 the first half of the seven1 consists of an enumeration of immoveable objects1 or what the law calls real property1 the others which follow are moveables or personal47 #g ,i got me servants and 7#e47 ,i purchased slaves and maidens1 and had servants maidens1 and had for myself born in my house2 also ,i had home-born servants1 besides great possessions of great and herds of great and small small cattle above all that cattle1 more numerous than were in ,jerusalem before me3 any of my predecessors in ,jerusalem4 ,hebrew sons of my house4 7#g47 ,i obtained slaves and maidens1 and sons of my house 7home-born slaves1 that is7 were belonging to myself1 besides possessions of herd and flock2 many such were belonging to myself2 more than all who were before me in ,jerusalem4 #h ,i gathered me also silver 7#f47 ,i procured for myself and gold1 and the peculiar silver and gold and precious treasure of kings and of objects of every kingdom and the provinces3 ,i gat me province4 men-singers and women-singers1 and the delights of the sons 7#g47 ,i obtained for myself of men1 as musical men-singers and women-singers1 instruments1 and that of all every delight that man can sorts4 enjoy1 to the very ecstasy of ravishment4 ,hebrew musical instruments and instruments4 7#h47 ,i gathered for myself1 moreover1 silver and gold1 and the peculiar treasure of kings and the provinces4 ,i made for myself 7i4e4 procured7 men-singers and women-singers1 the delights of the sons of men1 outpouring and outpourers4 7,the different meanings given to these two last words1 1 which occur here only1 are various1 scarcely a commentary or version agreeing4 ,the ,,lxx4 translate a #8butler' and #8female cup-bearers1' the ,vulgate #8pitchers and vases1' ,ginsburg #8a concubine and concubines'2 but the most probable etymology seems to give the idea of #8overflowing' to the word in some sense or other4 ,it is possible then to take the words generally1 and interpret them as referring to the overflow1 not only of the generous wines1 but of all the delights of which wine is a type1 as in the words #8,the feast of reason and the flow of soul1' or like ,milton's #8,did ever mortal mixture of earth's mould ,breathe such divine enchanting ravishment8' ,the arrangement of these different objects of pleasure is somewhat artificial1 as will be seen on examining the grouping47 #i ,so ,i was great1 and ,so ,i was great and increased increased more than all that more than all that were ever were before me in ,jerusalem3 before me in ,jerusalem1 yet also my wisdom remained with notwithstanding my wisdom me4 remained fast with myself1 7#i47 ,and ,i was great 7rightly the ,authorized ,version1 #8so1' referring back to verse #d7 and increased more than all 7all now becomes the key-word1 which occurs seven times7 which was 7singular1 giving the sense than #8any was'7 before me in ,jerusalem2 also 71 affirms strongly1 see ,job iv4 #ai1 #8but beside1' for without this provision of a wise enjoyment the experiment was necessarily a failure37 my wisdom remained 7i4e4 stood2 it is usual to say that is feminine to agree with 2 perhaps it would be equally correct to say that it was an instance of two abstract ideas in apposition1 giving the sense #8was still a thing standing'7 with myself 7emphatic1 and the eighth repetition of this word74 #aj ,and whatsoever mine eyes and all my eyes desired ,i desired ,i kept not from them1 kept not from them1 nor did ,i ,i withheld not my heart from deny my heart even one of all any joy2 for my heart rejoiced its joys3 for this heart of in all my labour3 and this was mine did rejoice in my toils1 my portion of all my labour4 and this was what ,i procured for all my toil4 7#aj47 ,and all which asked mine eyes ,i did not restrain 7or keep back2 see ,genesis xxvii4 #cf1 ,numbers xi4 #ag1 for the meaning1 the only other instances where it occurs in ,kal47 from them 7emphatic71 ,i did not deny my heart from all rejoicing1 for my heart rejoiced from all my toil 7i4e4 there was a certain kind of pleasure derived from doing all this71 and this was my portion 7#8lot' or #8inheritance' from all my toil2 equal to our #8this was all ,i obtained for my pains'74 #aa ,then ,i looked on all ,so ,i turned to look on all the works that my hands had my work my hand had wrought1 wrought1 and on the labour and all my toil which ,i that ,i had laboured to do3 had moiled and done1 and lo6 and1 behold1 all was vanity that ,,all wasevanescent1 and and vexation of spirit1 and vexation of spirit1 and nothing there was no profit under of profit in this hot work-day the sun4 world4 7#aa47 ,i turned myself 7 differs from 2 the former is #8to turn round in order to look1' the latter is to #8go round in order to do4' ,the distinction is not without importance7 in all my works which worked my hands1 and in my toil which ,i had toiled to work 7notice the occurrence of these wordswork1 work1 toil1 toil71 and behold 7a manifest and indisputable conclusion7 the whole was vanity and vexation of spirit1 and there was nothing of profit 7i4e4 over and above the slight amount of present pleasure which he obtained7 under the sun4 7,it is especially worthy of remark that while ,koheleth found some small pleasure in work1 he found none from it4 ,take1 oh men1 to your curse kindly1 but a curse it is67 #ab ,and ,i turned myself to ,then ,i turned myself again behold wisdom1 and madness1 to perceive wisdom in regard and folly3 for what can the to its power of detecting man do that cometh after the false hopes and false king8 even that which hath prudence1 for how is any man been already done4 to enter upon the results of that plan which he may have ,or1 in those things made beforehand8 which have been already done4 7#ab47 ,and ,i turned 7this coming immediately after a similar expression1 verse #aa1 rises into emphasis2 it equals our #8again ,i turned'71 ,i myself 7emphatic1 it was1 as above1 a personal experience71 to see wisdom and self-deceptions and also false successes 7the meaning of this passage most probably is1 that ,koheleth desired to see wisdom in conjunction with those two kinds of folly which he denotes respectively by 1 false expectations or hopes1 see chapter i4 #ag1 and 1 false wisdom1 that kind of folly which is so either through ignorance or sin1 but has to all appearance the semblance of wisdom1 see chapter ii4 #c4 ,if he could succeed in accomplishing this1 he might by his wisdom avoid the mistakes into which men fall74 ,for 7this must introduce a reason7 what8 7,genesis xx4 #aj1 1 ,genesis iv4 #aj1 1 both forms being similar in use7 is the man 7with the article2 generic therefore1 and equivalent to #8what is the man8'7 who enters 7but as this is the contracted relative1 it is equivalent to #8that he should enter'7 after 7but the word is strictly speaking a noun plural in regimen1 and means #8that which comes after1' #8the sequel of'7 the king 7this the ,,lxx4 render by 1 the reasons of which we will discuss presently74 ,with respect to which 7for the is emphatic1 hence some of the recensions of the ,,lxx4 read 7 the present 7the present state of things1 in its usual meaning1 which it has everywhere in ,ecclesiastes1 see chapter i4 #aj7 they make it 1 third person plural with the affix1 which the ,,lxx4 refer back to 4 ,the meaning of this passage has been much disputed1 and our difficulties are not diminished by the very strange rendering of the ,,lxx41 which is usually dismissed by commentators as erroneous2 an explanation1 however1 of this rendering will probably clear up the difficulty4 ,we must first notice the corrupt state of the present text of the ,,lxx4 ,the ,alexandrine reads 2 ,e4 ,x4 read 2 ,f4 ,x4 2 ,b4 ,x4 2 and ,x4 2 ,aquila reads 2 ,symmachus1 2 ,theodotion1 2 but1 as ,field remarks 7,hexapla1 p4 #chd71 it is doubtful whether the ,syriac text reads 7 ,syriac word71 #8king1' or 7 ,syriac word71 #8counsel4' ,in the same way1 ,theodotion reads 4 ,we must observe that all these versions1 without exception1 omit to notice 1 which everywhere else is noted by 1 being content with or 4 ,the explanation of these difficulties seems to be that was probably intended to be equivocal4 ,it is1 to say the least1 not impossible that it had1 even in ,solomon's time1 the meaning of #8counsel1' which attaches to it as a usual signification in ,aramaic2 if so1 means the counsel1 and of course has the idea of rule as well4 ,castell gives as the meaning of 7 ,syriac word71 #8,intellectum1 ,consilium dedit1' vel #8inivit1' #8,consultavit1' #8,promisit1' #8,pollicitus est2' thus we must understand it to mean1 #8plans formed and intended to be carried out4' ,the question then which ,koheleth asks is this1 #8,who is the man who will enter uponas we say1 carry outhis plans with respect to that which in the present moment he makes them or devises them2' in other words1 can he carry out what he now devises1 and can any man do this out of the number of human creatures who make these plans8 ,this is the reason of the distributive plural which the best recensions of the ,,lxx4 preserve4 ,the equivoke involved in the meaning #8king' is obvious4 ,koheleth himself is1 of course1 the king3 could any one do better than he8 ,it must be allowed that this meaning makes excellent sense with the context1 and violates no ,hebrew grammar4 ,if1 however1 ,i have failed in giving a real interpretation of this most difficult passage1 ,i may be excused a conjecture which is as plausible as many that have been advanced on this point4 ,the corruptions of the old versions may be explained by the fact that the equivoke was lost so soon as readers ceased to have the ,hebrew text before them1 and hence the attempt to better their text4 ,this most obscure passage may perhaps receive some light from a further discussion of the word and other forms derived from the same root4 ,the feminine or abstract occurs ,genesis xxxv4 #af1 xlviii4 #g1 and #b ,kings v4 #ai1 joined with 1 rendered in the ,authorized ,version a #8little' way4 ,the verb occurs in hiphil1 ,job xxxv4 #af1 xxxvi4 #ca1 translated #8multiplied1' #8in abundance2' and in the hiphil form1 with the characteristic jud inserted,job viii4 #b1 xv4 #aj1 etc42 ,isaiah x4 #ac1 xvii4 #ab1 etc4in the sense of #8full of years1' #8overflowing1' and the like4 ,a diligent comparison of these meanings shows that #8fulness1' in the sense of #8completeness1' must be the root-meaning2 and hence1 when applied to time1 the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8already4' ,with this meaning agree also the ,arabic and ,syriac1 see ,fuerst1 ,lexicon1 s4 voc4 ,the meaning then of the word is1 the #8complete present4' ,with regard to the use of the root in the sense of counsel1 it occurs once in ,hebrew1 viz4 ,nehemiah v4 #g1 and once in biblical ,chaldee1 ,daniel iv4 #bg 7#bd74 ,this meaning is common1 as remarked in the note1 in ,aramaic4 ,the fair inference from this is1 that the root-meaning of the ,hebrew word is #8to counsel1' just as the root-meaning of the word ,apostle is #8one sent4' ,these senses are just what the context requires4 ,koheleth turns round to see wisdom in comparison with1 or contradistinction to1 false hopes and false prudence1 and asks how the man1 that is1 humanity1 can tell the one from the other4 ,his words are #8what is1' not #8who is the man1' etc41 equivalent to#8in what way can humanity enter upon the results of the counsel1' #8or the king1'the equivoke being1 we believe1 intentional1 and the contracted relative giving a conditional turn to the sentence#8with respect to that which at present he performs it4' ,it would have been better if the word with had been printed in the notes with a small letter1 as the division hardly amounts to a period1 though the connexion is not close4 ,the suffix of the verb refers back through the relative pronoun to counsel1 and might be well rendered into ,english thus#8,in respect of which he at present takes that counsel4' ,the ,,lxx41 contrary to their custom1 omit 1 because it is perhaps sufficiently included in 1 or because would not have been intelligible4 ,it is evident this all squares with the context4 ,koheleth1 as ,solomon1 discovered that with all his wisdom he could not practically discern the difference between this true wisdom and that false prudence which led him to accumulate only to be disappointed in his successor4 #ac ,then ,i saw that wisdom ,now1 ,i have myself perceived excelleth folly1 as far as that there must be a profit to light excelleth darkness4 wisdom over false prudence as great as the profit of light ,hebrew that there is an over darkness4 excellency in wisdom more than in folly1 etc4 7#ac47 ,and ,i have seen1 ,i have 7with the emphatic ,i again1 as a personal experience7 that there is 7i4e4 that there really is71 a profit to wisdom above folly 7these same elaborate mistakes which look so like wisdom7 as the profit of the light above the darkness4 7,here profit is repeated1 hence the meaning is #8as great as the profit of light above darkness4'7 ,the wise1 his eyes are in his head1 but the fool 7i4e4 the #8deceived fool'notice the hiphil formequivalent to the befooled1 but not necessarily by othersby himself also7 in darkness walks 7hence a wise man ought to be as much better off than a fool as a sighted man is better than one blind1 but experience does not confirm this conclusion72 and ,i know also1 ,i 7emphatic71 that the hap 7i4e4 the result or what occurs7 is one happening 7present here as opposed to participial noun7 to all of them 7i4e4 both wise and fools alikeequivalent in our idiom1 #8precisely the same result occurs to all'74 #ad ,the wise man's eyes are ,the wise has eyes in his head1 in his head2 but the fool the befooled is wandering in walketh in darkness3 and ,i the dark2 yet ,i know1 as the myself perceived also that one result of my own experience1 event happeneth to them all4 that the event to which both attain is just alike1 so ,i #ae ,then said ,i in my heart1 reasoned with myself thus3 ,as it happeneth to the fool1 ,exactly the same event as so it happeneth even to me2 happens to one befooled has and why was ,i then more wise8 happened to me1 and therefore ,then ,i said in my heart1 that why should ,i make myself wise8 this also is vanity4 ,then besides6 ,why1 ,i said in my heart1 even this is an instance ,hebrew happeneth to me1 of evanescence1 even to me4 7#ad1 #ae47 ,and ,i said1 ,i did1 in my heart 7it was not a right thing to say1 but1 as we have already noticed1 this formula introduces a suggestion more specious than true71 ,like the hap of the befooled1 so have ,i happened me 7i4e4 made my own hap or result71 and why did ,i make myself wise then in addition8 7,the ,masorets accent so as to make this the main division of the verse1 and consider these three last words to belong to what precedes4 ,the ,,lxx41 on the contrarywhich adds a gloss after 7 71 #8for the fool speaketh abundantly1' which is an ancient one1 for the ,syriac has it also1 and varies much in its different recensionsconsiders them to belong to the following verse4 ,it is difficult on this account to come to a conclusion which is correct1 the ,,lxx4 or the ,masorets2 the more that the ,masorets themselves hesitate between and 4 ,on the whole1 one would incline to the following explanation3take in its ordinary acceptation1 #8the rest1' the meaning would thus be #8then the rest1' or #8what results is2' and suppose the pointing 1 a conjecture subsequently strengthened by writing 72 and ,i said 7it was possibly this difficult 1 #8and1' which gave rise to the ,masoretic conjecturethe ,,lxx4 take no notice of it2 it is equivalent to #8why ,i said'7 that this 7the contracted relative with occurs only chapter i4 #ag1 ii4 #ae1 viii4 #ad1 and has a tone of surprise and disappointment1 giving the sense apparently that #8even this wisdom itself6 is'7 a vanity 7or an instance of evanescence or transitoriness74 #af ,for there is no because there is no remembrance remembrance of the wise more of the wise or the befooled than of the fool for ever2 either1 in the future2 because seeing that which now is in as time goes on the present the days to come shall all be will be forgotten1 and fool and forgotten4 ,and how dieth the wise will perish alike together4 wise man8 as the fool4 7#af47 ,for 7an expansion of the above argument1 and a corroboration of the conclusion7 there is nothing of remembrance to a wise 7person or thing indefinitely7 with the fool 7but the hiphil form is to be noted1 as also the article1 the befooled1 generically1 for a wise action perishes from remembrance amidst the class of fools7 to the age 7i4e4 so far as the indefinite future is concerned7 by which present 7i4e4 in the present of that future age or on it will so happen that7 during the days1 the going ones 7meaning1 of course1 the days as they are passing1 or1 as we say1 #8in the lapse of time'7 the whole 7the whole of these wise lives and works7 is forgotten 7niphal1 #8becomes a forgotten thing'7 and how then dies the wise8 with the fool 7i4e4 both perish together74 #ag ,therefore ,i hated life2 ,i was even disgusted with because the work that is respect to life itself3 for wrought under the sun is an evil to me is the work grievous unto me3 for all is at which ,i toil in this hot vanity and vexation of spirit4 work-day world1 since the whole is evanescent1 and vexation of spirit4 7#ag47 ,then hated ,i1 with respect to the lives 7an emphatic 1 which the ,,lxx4 note by the adverbial 1 and meaning not exactly that he hated his own life1 as that he felt a disgust with respect to life generally71 because an evil to me 7emphatic with 1 giving the notion of pressing upon7 the work which ,i worked under the sun1 because 7 following in a sentence with at the commencement2 this particle thus doubled ,i believe to be often nearly equivalent to our #8for1' #8as1'7 the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit4 #ah ,yea1 ,i hated all my ,i for my part was disgusted labour which ,i had taken under with all my toil that ,i had the sun3 because ,i should moiled at it1 in this work-day leave it unto the man that world1 because ,i shall leave it shall be after me4 to the man that succeeds me1 7#ah47 ,i hated then1 ,i myself 7emphatic pronoun1 because again we have ,koheleth's personal experience1 as we should say1 #8,i was disgusted'71 with respect to all my toil which ,i 7again strongly personal1 meaning so far as it was my toil7 had toiled at under the sun that ,i should leave it 7close relative qualifying the verb1 and giving the idea that the grievance was that he would have to leave this work7 to a man 7i4e4 some man as a human person7 which will be after me4 #ai ,and who knoweth whether and no one knows whether he he shall be a wise man or a will be wise or foolishly fool8 yet shall he have rule clever1 and yet he will have over all my labour wherein ,i power over all my toil at which have laboured1 and wherein ,i ,i have moiled1 and done so have shewed myself wise under wisely in this hot work-day the sun4 ,this is also vanity4 world3 another instance this of evanescence4 7#ai47 ,and who knows 7equivalent to #8no-body does know'7 whether the wise 7with the article1 meaning one who belongs to this class1 and who will really act wisely7 or a fool8 7that is1 a wisely-foolish person1 one whose wisdom will prove a mistake according to the meaning of this word1 see chapter ii4 #c1 references42 and will use this power provided to his hand either amiss1 or so as to defeat the end the wise man had in view7 and he has power 71 a favourite word of ,koheleth's2 the exact meaning of this term may be found in ,psalm cxix4 #acj7 in all my toil which ,i have toiled at1 and which also ,i have made myself wise in 7i4e4 spent my pains wisely in7 under the sun3 besides this is vanity 7or1 as we should say1 #8moreover this is another instance of vanity or evanescence'74 #bj ,therefore ,i went about to ,so then ,i came round to the cause my heart to despair of conclusion that ,i must bid all the labour which ,i took farewell to any hope of under the sun4 satisfaction from anything ,i had toiled at in this work-day world2 7#bj47 ,i turned round then1 ,i myself1 to cause to despair with respect to my heart 71 occurs #a ,samuel xxvii4 #a1 where the word is used of ,saul giving up the search for ,david in despair7 over the toil which ,i toiled at under the sun4 #ba ,for there is a man whose because it amounts to this3 labour is in wisdom1 and man1 even when he toils wisely1 in knowledge1 and in equity2 prudently1 and successfully1 yet to a man that hath not does so for some individual laboured therein shall he who has not toiled at all1 and leave it for his portion4 gives it to him to possess3 an ,this also is vanity and a instance of evanescence1 and great evil4 very evil4 7#ba47 ,for it is 7this exists as the real state of the case7 man 7i4e4 one specimen of humanitythis is what humanity is really doing7 which he toils 7 who is1 or may be1 labouring7 with wisdom1 and with knowledge1 and with success 71 occurs chapter ii4 #ba1 iv4 #d1 v4 #aa1 the root occurs ,esther viii4 #e1 chapter xi4 #f1 x4 #aj2 it is a technical worda #8successful issue' is the meaning2 compare the passages4 ,the ,,lxx4 render by 1 #8bravery1' which is not a bad rendering1 since it appears from the above that this success was but temporary71 and to a man who has not 7emphatic2 the contracted relative joined with the negative shows that his not doing this is the point7 toiled 7i4e4 taken any trouble7 in it 7emphatic1 #8in that same'7 he will give it as his portion2 also this is a vanity and an evil which is great4 7,there is a strange sarcastic tone given by the affix in the verb following the emphatic pronoun1 #8to one who has not toiled in it at all will he give that same4'7 #bb ,for what hath man of ,for what comes to a man through all his labour1 and of the all his toil and vexing his vexation of his heart1 wherein heart1 which he himself toils he hath laboured under the at within this work-day world8 sun8 7#bb47 ,for what is there 71 a peculiar form2 but is it not possible that this word has been chosen for the sake of the equivoke8 1 #8calamity1' #8perverseness1' ,job vi4 #b1 ,micah vii4 #c1 and which makes most pungent and admirable sense7 to a man in all his toil1 and in vexing 71 not 2 compare chapter i4 #ah7 his heart which he himself toils at under the sun8 #bc ,for all his days are ,why1 every day he spends is a sorrows1 and his travail trouble1 and disappointment the grief2 yea1 his heart taketh result of his anxiety1 so that not rest in the night4 ,this is even at night his heart gets also vanity4 no rest4 ,so then this is an instance of evanescence itself4 7#bc47 ,for 7as is repeated1 it becomes emphatic1 #8for now'7 all his days are causing him pain 7or painfulnotice the force of the 7 and disappointment his anxiety1 7a pregnant sentence1 denoting more than his anxiety disappoints1 his anxiety is always painful and useless too7 also at night does not rest 7this clause is an additional proof that we have correctly determined the meaning of 2 it is anxiety which causes wakefulness7 even his heart4 ,moreover this a vanity it is 7emphatic2 so the meaning is1 #8this then is indeed an instance of evanescence'74 80 replaced with 80 #bd ,there is nothing ,there is no real good then to better for a man1 than that man in eating or drinking1 or he should eat and drink1 and in supposing he will satisfy that he should make his soul himself with his toil4 ,moreover1 enjoy good in his labour4 ,this ,i must make this observation1 also ,i saw1 that it was from that these things are all in the hand of ,god4 the hand of the ,almighty1 7#bd47 ,the conclusion of this argument now follows1 viz43,this toil is useless1 and the reasoning is set out at length4 ,there is nothing of a good 7not here1 but 1 the former would be required if the meaning were #8it is not good that'7 in a man 7i4e4 as an instance of humanity1 and the whole is equivalent to #8,it is not to humanity real good that'7 that he should eat and drink1 and show his soul 7i4e4 himself7 good 7repeated1 #8that good'7 in his toil4 ,moreover this 7pointed 1 feminine or neuter1 which the ,,lxx4 confirm1 7 have ,i seen1 even ,i1 now from the hand 7but #8the' is not emphatic at all1 which would have required a different construction7 of the ,deity 7on the contrary1 #8the' is emphatic here1 and1 as will appear1 the use of the article is significant7 it is 7emphatic74 #be ,for who can eat1 or who for who could eat or even drink else can hasten hereunto1 apart from ,him8 more than ,i8 7#be47 ,for 7repeated7 who eats or who even drinks 7because drinking is possible when eating is not7 apart from him8 7for we read with the ,,lxx4 1 for clearly this makes good sense1 and preserves the real meaning of 1 which has the signification of #8without1' #8on the outside1' ,genesis vi4 #ad1 ,deuteronomy xxv4 #e1 references47 ,the phrase requires further elucidation4 ,the reading 1 supported by the ,,lxx41 is also confirmed by ,hebrew ,,mss4 ,the literal rendering is#8and who hastens outside him4' ,this the ,,lxx4 translate 1 #8who drinks1' etc4 ,there is a reading of ,a1 1 #8spares4' ,the former is supported by ,peshito1 ,arabic1 and ,theodotionthe latter by ,aquila1 ,symmachus1 and ,jerome4 ,if the ,greek text alone had to be considered1 would1 as the harder reading1 be entitled to the preference4 ,it is readily seen1 however1 that it arose from a conjectural alteration of the ,hebrew text into 1 for which there is no authority2 neither will the meaning to #8spare' make any sense in the context4 ,as the root occurs frequently1 we are driven to the conclusion that the rendering of the ,,lxx4 was by design4 ,schleusner's conjecture that is used in the signification of #8sensibus frui1' is no doubt correctcompare ,habakkuk i4 #h1 as also ,isaiah xxviii4 #af4 ,considered as ad sensum1 this rendering gives the idea of the ,hebrew text correctly4 #bf ,for ,god giveth to a man and so to man just as is right that is good in his sight in ,his sight ,he gives wisdom wisdom1 and knowledge1 and and knowledge and gladness1 but joy3 but to the sinner he to the transgressor ,he gives giveth travail1 to gather and the anxiety of accumulating to heap up1 that he may give and collecting what is to be to him that is good before granted to any1 as also is good ,god4 ,this also is vanity and in the sight of ,god4 ,so this is vexation of spirit4 another instance of evanescence and vexation of spirit4 7#bf47 ,for 7repeated again1 so that this word becomes emphatic and prominent4 ,accordingly four reasons follow1 comprising as it were the whole cycle of the argument7 to a man 7still generic1 as a specimen of the human race7 which is good before him 7not altogether with the meaning #8a good man1' but as #8,god thinks good'7 ,he gives wisdom1 and knowledge1 and joy2 but to the sinner 7i4e4 the erring sinner7 he gives1 on the other hand1 anxious-travail to collect and to gather 71 occurs chapter ii4 #h1 #bf1 iii4 #e2 the meaning is #8to collect piece by piece2' see also ,psalm xxxiii4 #g1 #a ,chronicles xxii4 #b71 to give it to the good in the sight of ,god 7i4e4 as ,god sees fit it should be given72 so this also is vanity and vexation of spirit4 80 replaced with 80 ,thus1 then1 the first part of the argument is completed4 ,man obtains nothing by his labour4 ,it is the gift of a mysterious and inscrutable ,providence which alone confers any happiness or gratification4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,iii4 ,at this point ,koheleth commences another line of argument2 he notices that all things proceed according to a fixed and settled order of providence4 ,this truth he brings into great prominence by instancing eight-and-twentya fourfold sevendifferent times or seasons existing in human life4 ,from this he deduces the conclusion1 that as it is impossible to alter the order of ,providence1 the toil of man is useless to effect any real good1 so far as this world is concerned4 ,the way in which this thought is worked out is peculiar4 ,koheleth is both sarcastic and paradoxical in his arguments2 but his sarcasms are never ill-natured and his paradoxes promote thought4 ,he also enlivens his subject with a considerable number of plays upon words1 and striking and pregnant aphorisms4 ,,section ,,iii4,further demonstration of the vanity of human labour from considerations touching ,providence and ,morals4 ,,to every thing there is ,,to everything is there a a season1 and a time to every determined period1 and a time purpose under the heaven3 for every providence under heaven4 7#a47 ,to all 7human life1 that is7 is a season 71 this word occurs here and ,nehemiah ii4 #f1 ,esther xi4 #bg1 #ca1 only1 and the participle past of the verb ,ezra x4 #ad1 ,nehemiah x4 #cd 7#ce7 #ac1 #ba2 it will be seen by an examination of passages that this word differs from 1 which both ,ezra and ,nehemiah also use1 and which is the common word in the older books for #8a sacred season' or #8feast4' is a #8settled time1' #8a date4' ,fuerst considers the primary idea of the root is #8to count4' ,it is clear that would not have suited this context2 this of course so far weakens any argument for the late date of this work as derived from the use of this word71 and a time 7general1 the common word7 to all 7repeated1 and therefore emphatic1 equal #8that is to all'7 providences 71 which1 however1 has the signification desire as well1 #8a satisfactory undertaking therefore2' ,koheleth uses the word technically with a reference to the divine providences of ,god4 ,the word occurs chapter iii4 #a1 #ag1 v4 #d 7#c71 #h 7#g71 viii4 #f1 xii4 #a1 #aj4 ,the ,,lxx4 here render 1 but chapter xii4 7 under the heavens 7this meaning of may account for one use of this phrase here instead of the more usual #8under the sun1'heaven being perhaps employed as we sometimes use it1 for ,god's providence under heaven74 #b ,a time to be born1 and a 7#a47 ,a time to be born1 and time to die2 a time to plant1 a time to die2 and a time to pluck up that which is planted2 7#b47 ,a time to plant1 and a time to root up that which is ,hebrew to bear4 planted2 7#b47 ,a time to be born1 and a time to die2 a time to plant1 and a time to pluck up the planted4 #c ,a time to kill1 and a time 7#c47 ,a time to slay1 and a to heal2 a time to break down1 time to heal2 and a time to build up2 7#d47 ,a time to break walls1 and a time to build them up2 7#c47 ,a time for slaying1 and a time for healing2 a time for breaking down1 and a time for building up4 #d ,a time to weep1 and a time 7#e47 ,a time to weep1 and a to laugh2 a time to mourn1 and time to laugh2 a time to dance2 7#f47 ,a time to cry1 and a time to play2 7#d47 ,a time for weeping1 and a time for laughing2 a time of wailing1 and a time of dancing 7there is an alliteration here1 and a slight change in construction to the hiphil in the next clause2 possibly to mark the close of the first seven pairs74 #e ,a time to cast away 7#g47 ,a time to scatter stones stones1 and a time to gather away1 and a time to gather stones together2 a time to stones again2 embrace1 and a time to refrain from embracing2 7#h47 ,a time to embrace1 and a time to refrain from embracing2 7#e47 ,a time for scattering stones1 and a time of collecting stones 7does our ,lord allude to this1 ,mark xiii4 #b872 a time for embracing1 and a time to refrain from embracing4 #f ,a time to get1 and a time 7#i47 ,a time to seek1 and a to lose2 a time to keep1 and a time for loss2 time to cast away2 7#aj47 ,a time to keep1 and a ,or1 seek4 time to cast away2 7#f47 ,a time to seek1 and a time to lose 7the ,masorets consider this a ,piel with the sense to destroy72 a time for keeping1 and a time to cast away4 #g ,a time to rend1 and a 7#aa47 ,a time to rend1 and a time to sew2 a time to keep time to sew2 silence1 and a time to speak2 7#ab47 ,a time to be silent1 and a time for speech2 7#g47 ,a time for rending1 and a time for sewing 7see ,genesis xxxvii4 #bi1 #cd72 a time for being silent1 and a time to speak4 #h ,a time to love1 and a time 7#ac47 ,a time of love1 and a to hate2 a time of war1 and a time of hate2 time of peace4 7#ad47 ,a time of war1 and a time of peace4 7#h47 ,a time to love1 and a time to hate2 a time of war1 and a time of peace4 7,the slight changes in the rendering correspond to changes in construction in the ,hebrew1 giving a pleasing variety to the whole passage4 ,there is also an observable difference in the second seven pairs1 which enumerate acts more emotional and subjective than the first47 #i ,what profit hath he that ,what advantage is there to worketh in that wherein he the worker by reason of his laboureth8 own toil8 7#i47 ,what profit 7something #8remaining over and above the present1' in the technical meaning of this word1 see chapter i4 #c1 references47 is the working 7an active participle with the article1 and thus generic1 working then as such7 in which 7full relative1 and thus referring to the whole idea2 we must render therefore #8in respect of its being1' which will be emphatic1 as it is followed by the pronoun7 it is toil 7but we must remember that the exact meaning of this word issee ,genesis xli4 #ea1 ,isaiah liii4 #aathe #8anxiety1' or #8care1' the labour produces4 ,the question then is this1 ,is there any profit from working in respect of its being care and pains8 and the answer is1 ,no4 ,the ,,lxx4 render somewhat ad sensum3 1 #8,what advantage of him that works in those things which he toils8' ,the ,syriac1 7 ,syriac phrase7 #8,what is the profit in the work in that he toils8' but both make the meaning clear4 ,this question is answered in the negative1 the argument being elaborated with much care74 #aj ,i have seen the travail1 ,i have observed with regard which ,god hath given to the to the uncertainty which is sons of men to be exercised in appointed of ,god to the human it4 race1 to be made anxious thereby1 7#aj47 ,i have seen 7or #8observed1' as we should write1 this formula introducing a matter which observation makes manifest71 with regard to the anxiety 71 see chapter i4 #ac1 references1 the meaning previously assigned of #8anxious care1' or #8uncertainty' generally1 the word being used to signify that special form of human misery which consists in the uncertainty in which man lives2 this emphatic the ,,lxx4 notice and render by their adverbial 1 and to show us that the observation was made1 not of the uncertainty1 but with respect to it7 which has appointed 7because this is the principal idea7 even ,god 7the nominative follows1 and is without the article1 because it is ,god in his personal character who is here referred to4 ,the article is used when the word occurs generically1 as in the sense of #8the ,deity' or #8the ,almighty1'#8which it is ,god's appointment' then is the meaning7 to the sons of the man 7that is1 the human race as children of ,adam7 to be rendered uncertain therewith4 #aa ,he hath made every that the whole is suitable at thing beautiful in his time3 its proper time4 ,moreover1 with also he hath set the world in regard to the future1 that too their heart1 so that no man is put into their desires1 but can find out the work that ,god so that ,man cannot find out the maketh from the beginning to working of the ,almighty as ,he the end4 works it out from its beginning even to its end4 7#aa47 ,with respect to the whole 7again the emphatic 1 and again noted by in the ,,lxx41 some copies reading1 1 #8the whole which2' as this preposition is repeated in the same clause1 it is specially emphatic here7 he made it fair 7that is #8appropriate1' which the ,,lxx4 render 7 in its time 7one of these providential times or seasons above spoken of74 ,moreover 7commencing another and additional argument1 confirming the above71 with respect to the age 7again repeated with the article1 noticed as before by the ,,lxx41 and again by them rendered 1 meaning therefore generally1 and also with regard to the indefinite future generically it is1 etc47 is set 7placed by ,god indeed1 but the nominative is so far off that the verb is almost impersonal1 or in other words all emphasis on the nominative is lost7 in their hearts from the want of which 71 occurs ,job iv4 #aa2 this word joined to the full relative must mean #8but as they do not possess this knowledge of the future or this influence over the age1 or course of things present and future1 so as to control it1' for this is the meaning of 1 see chapter i4 #d1 references47 does not find 7emphatic1 as standing before its nominative7 the man 7i4e4 #8,humanity generally cannot find' or #8discover'7 with respect to the working 7the ,,lxx4 do not render here by 1 probably because is clear enough without it7 which works 7#8is the work of'7 the ,deity from the beginning even unto 7this preposition being separated and joined with a conjunction is much more forcible than the mere affixed above1 because1 possibly1 it is desired to render emphatic this final word which is reserved to the close of the sentence7 the end 71 which occurs in this book in the sense of a final conclusion1 see chapter xii4 #ac1 and which in the working of ,divine ,providence is especially mysterious74 #ab ,i know that there is no ,i am aware that there can be no good in them1 but for a man real good to any1 if it be not to rejoice1 and to do good in to rejoice and to see this good his life4 in their lives4 7#ab47 ,i know how there is nothing good 7#8nothing' and #8good' are two nouns in closest apposition1 and hence having the meaning #8there is no good thing'7 in them 7emphatic and a distributive plural1 referring to singular7 except to rejoice and to do good 7but not in the sense of doing right1 which1 of course1 is foreign to the train of thought1 but to the obtaining of good2 and as this last idea is repeated from what went before1 we have the meaning #8that good'7 in their lives 7which the ,,lxx4 render by the singular #8in his life1' noticing the distributive plural4 ,hence then the sense of the whole passage is plain3 #8,i know that there can be no real good thing belonging to them1 except it be that they should rejoice and do good each one in their lives1' and this is exactly true1 as death so completely bounds the vision and terminates the earthly existence of every human soul that what is not obtained in this life is clearly not obtained at all4 ,of course the entire argument proceeds on the supposition that we are regarding the whole matter as under the sun1 that is1 limited to this earthly stage of existence74 #ac ,and also that every man ,and beside1 if any way humanity should eat and drink1 and should eat or drink1 and thus enjoy the good of all his sees this good by any of his labour1 it is the gift of toil1 it is simply ,god's gift4 ,god4 7#ac47 ,and moreover 7an additional consideration added to the above7 all the man 7i4e4 all humanity generally1 a proposition universally true of the whole of them7 when he eats 7contract relative with present tense of the verb1 #8as he eats then'and eating is here put as the general type of use and enjoyment7 and drinks 7this is not superfluous2 a man can drink when he can no longer eat2 he can quench the fever thirst when food is loathsome1 hence drinking is the type of solace7 and sees good 7as a past tense follows a present1 we have the equivalent of our imperfect2 and as also the conjunction is repeated before each verb1 we may render them as dependent #8if he should eat or even drink1 and so should have a sight of a good'7 in all his toil 7or by means of it74 ,a gift 7chapter v4 #ai1 see also #a ,kings xiii4 #ag1 where it appears that the meaning of the word is a #8present4' ,,lxx4 7 of ,god it is 7feminine1 in close agreement with 4 ,here again we think that there may be noticed a more subjective1 or active idea1 when the feminine is used1 than with corresponding masculines4 ,in this way we may possibly find a grammatical explanation of the anomalous genders so common in ,hebrew4 ,in the ,pentateuch is used of females1 and a possible reason may be that in the earlier stages of the language there was less tendency to regard mere grammatical concords and more to follow the logic of the passage4 ,it is worth noticing that grammatical concord as such becomes more and more developed as the language advances1 hence ,syriac is as strict as ,greek or ,latin in this respect4 ,whatever be the reason1 however1 the fact of such closer connexion is manifest by a careful collation of places74 #ad ,i know that1 whatsoever ,i am aware also that all ,god doeth1 it shall be for which the ,almighty effects ever3 nothing can be put to must be done with regard to all it1 nor anything taken from time1 that to it nothing can be it3 and ,god doeth it1 that added1 and that from it nothing men should fear before him4 either can be taken away1 and that the ,almighty acts that men may fear in his presence2 7#ad47 ,i know how 7and as this is a repetition of the formula in verse #ab1 we may add the word #8also' to show that the argument is a continuation of the above7 all which does 7or is performed by7 the ,deity 7with the article7 it is 7emphatic1 followed by the verb substantive1 and equivalent therefore to #8it really is'7 that which will be 7and so the ,,lxx4 render7 to the age 7to the indefinite on1 or future that is1 or rather1 for both present and past are included in this word1 to the whole course of present existing things'71 to it 7in the meaning of #8over1' or #8above1' as something dominating over1 which is the signification of 7 there is nothing to be added 7niphal1 which could be added7 and from it there is nothing to be diminished 7,exodus v4 #h1 ,job xv4 #d1 #h1 or restrained4 ,the relevancy of this reasoning is now evident4 ,human labour and anxiety is vain1 for the course of providence cannot be altered by it1 and if it could1 the alteration would be for the worse2 what follows makes this more clear71 and the ,deity works that they may fear 7contract relative1 with the present as above4 ,we have also the double jod2 it occurs with the single jod at chapter viii4 #ab1 and again with double jod at chapter xii4 #e4 ,there is no doubt a difference of meaning in these cases2 see a remarkable illustration of this in regard to the verb in ,judges xvi4 #ad as compared with verse #bj in the same chapter7 from before him 71 with both and 1 and hence emphatic1 #8in his presence'74 #ae ,that which hath been is that what has been is just the now2 and that which is to be present1 and whatever is to hath already been2 and ,god be is no other than the same requireth that which is past4 present2 and that the ,almighty will investigate with regard to ,hebrew that which is the wronged4 driven away4 7#ae47 ,what is that which was8 7the contract relative with the verb substantive1 i4e4 what is the past8'7 the present state of things 71 see chapter i4 #aj1 references2 the word is a substantive with its ordinary technical meaning as used in this book of the #8present as it now is1' and of this he says7 it is 7emphatic7 and that which is to be 7appointed so to be4 ,the ,,lxx4 render 1 literally #8things of the being1' #8or to happen'7 the present state of things it was 7that is1 #8this very same present it is2' each age being in this respect an exact reproduction of what went before it4 ,it never was subject to human control1 and never will be7 and the ,deity 7as this word is repeated in the same clause1 and stands as a nominative before the verb1 it is especially emphatic7 seeks 7#8asks after1' #8inquires for1' with the object of not allowing it to pass notice1 see #a ,samuel xx4 #af7 with respect to a persecuted 7person or thing4 ,he does not allow any person or thing who is wronged to pass without notice74 ,no doubt ,st4 ,jerome has completely hit the point of the argument when he writes1 #8,since all things fade with time1 and there is a time of destroying and building1 weeping and laughing1 for silence and speaking1 and those other things which are said concerning time1 why do we strive and press forward in vain1 and imagine the brief labours of life to be perpetual1 nor are we content1 according to the ,gospel1 with the evil of to-day1 and so take no thought for the morrow8' #af ,and moreover ,i saw ,yet1 however1 ,i have observed under the sun the place of in this work-day world1 that in judgment1 that wickedness place of justice there is was there2 and the place of impiety1 and in the place even righteousness1 that iniquity of right there is impiety also4 was there4 7#af47 ,and yet 7an objection to the foregoing7 ,i have seen under the sun 7the limitation here introduced requires special attention7 a place of the justice 7we must not limit place to mean locality1 but take it generally of state or position1 etc41 and observe also that has the article1 and is therefore generic72 there was the wickedness 7again generic1 and hence having the meaning that in place of justice1 as one would expect from the proposition stated above1 that the ,deity has regard to the wronged1 just the reverse occurred2 this is again enlarged in the following71 and in the place of the right there was the wickedness 7the meaning is1 that #8just in the very circumstances under which you would expect right to prevail1 there you will find rampant and successful wickedness4' has the meaning of that kind of #8wickedness' which goes out into bold and open transgression1 see #b ,samuel xxii4 #bb2 ,psalm x4 #b1 #c1 #d1 #ac74 #ag ,i said in mine heart1 ,god ,then said ,i to myself3 shall judge the righteous and ,with respect to right and the wicked3 for there is a wickedness1 the ,almighty does time there for every purpose justice1 because there is a and for every work4 time to every providence and dominating over every action which is done there4 7#ag47 ,i said1 ,i myself1 in my heart 7which we have noticed commonly introduces a thought more specious than true71 with respect to 71 which the ,,lxx4 note with their customary 7 the righteous 7i4e4 what is made right or done right2 notice the hiphil form as compared with that in the above71 and with regard to the impious also judges the ,deity1 for there is a time to every providence1 and upon 7or #8over1' which the ,,lxx4 note by 7 all the working there 7some copies of the ,,lxx4 join this to the next verse1 but it is more agreeable to the gist of the passage to refer it to the preceding1 as the ,masoretic text does1 and in this case #8there' refers back to the age or period74 #ah ,i said in mine heart ,then said ,i to myself also3 concerning the estate of the ,by the reasonings of the sons of men1 that ,god might human race in respect to any manifest them1 and that they discrimination of them by the might see that they themselves ,divine ,creator1 it seems that are beasts4 but brutes are they at best4 ,or1 that they might clear ,god and see4 7#ah47 ,i said1 ,i did1 in my heart 7repeating the formula of the preceding verse1 and so lending emphasis to it71 upon the speech 7this phrase occurs three times1 and only in this book1 viz4 here1 and chapters vii4 #ad and viii4 #b4 ,notwithstanding that a similar phrase occurs ,psalm cx4 #d1 with the meaning #8after the order1' ,,lxx4 1 which is apparently sanctioned by ,new ,testament exegesis1 compare ,hebrews v4 #f1 etc42 this is really not to the point1 for that is 1 the plural1 while this is singular4 ,according to strict grammar is the construct of 1 and should therefore mean #8reasoning of1' just as the ,,lxx4 render by 1 and this1 moreover1 will make good sense in every passage in which this phrase occurs7 of the sons of ,adam 7i4e4 the human race7 to the discriminating them 7hence the ,,lxx4 1 considering that the root is 1 which has the meaning #8to sift1' #8purify by sifting1' this is the only instance of the infinitive kal4 ,now we must take this meaning1 observing that the pronoun #8them1' which is involved in the termination of the verb1 is not emphatic2 it is the discrimination of ,god which is the point1 the persons on which this is exercised are subordinate4 ,the ,jewish commentators for the most part explain as the third person singular preterite of with the objective pronominal affix the only instance1 however1 in which has the meaning #8to choose' is #a ,samuel xvii4 #h2 as1 however1 some copies read 1 we can have no difficulty in referring the word to the root 1 which makes good sense4 ,it is also to be remarked that though does not exist as a root in ,hebrew1 it does so in ,chaldee1 ,syriac1 and ,arabic1 and the meaning is that which is #8twisted' or #8infolded'compare ,ezekiel xxvii4 #bd;a #8garment' worked in many colours2 this would make good sense also in this place1 and may possibly have been an intentional equivoke1 which is not surely improbable in a sentence in which such manifest artificial alliteration occurs4 ,the meaning then is1 that7 the ,deity 7discriminates men1 or makes a distinction between them and the lower creatures2 but in what respects8 ,this is discussed at length7 and to see 7but rather might this form of the infinitive be rendered1 for which there is sufficient authority1 #8to the appearance'7 that they 7contract relative1 and hence the meaning is that this appearance belongs to them1 and them only4 ,in this may be found the key to the whole passage4 ,in appearance there is no choice or discrimination1 as subsequent argument proves1 because they are7 a cattle 7singular1 following a plural1 and thus giving the meaning that each one is so7 they to them 7which ,mendelssohn explains1 following the ,,lxx41 #8when left to themselves1' or1 as we should say1 as #8far as they can tell4' ,with this ,ewald and ,ginsburg agree1 who consider this latter clause an ironical #8ipsissimi1'#8they themselves1 indeed6' ,thus1 then1 the meaning of the whole passage is1 #8,i said1 yes1 ,i did in my heart again1 so far as human reasonings extend concerning any discrimination the ,divine ,providence has made of them1 and as far as appearances go with them1 a mere animal is each one of them1 so far as they can tell4' ,the sentence is very sarcastic and equivocal1 as the alliteration at the end shows4 ,then1 again1 if we take the root in the sense of #8web1' as we use it for something intricate1 in that case we should have the equivoke1 #8concerning the web of ,divine ,providence so far as it appears to them4' ,again1 also1 the ,syriac renders as if were 1 #8their ,creator1' which also makes excellent sense2 but this1 again1 may simply be a rendering of another equivoke4 ,then1 again1 there is a possible play between and the same word considered as with the prepositionall these equivokes assist the sense74 ,consistent with this is what follows3 #ai ,for that which befalleth ,for the event which happens the sons of men befalleth to the human race1 and the beasts2 even one thing event which happens to the befalleth them3 as the one brute-creation1 is precisely dieth1 so dieth the other2 the same event3 the one dies yea1 they have all one just the same death as the breath2 so that a man hath no other2 and the animal life pre-eminence above a beast3 is the same in both2 and the for all is vanity4 pre-eminence of man over the brute is nothing at all2 for all alike are evanescent2 7#ai47 ,for a happening of the sons of man1 and a happening of the brute creation1 and a happening which is one 7as we should say1 #8precisely the same'7 to them 7the threefold repetition of 1 #8hap1' brings this word into strong prominence4 ,it means1 of coarse1 that which absolutely happens or results1 or comes to them in the end4 ,this is exactly the same in both cases1 as the sequel shows74 ,as is the death of this1 so 7#8exactly so'7 is the death of this1 and the spirit 7or #8breath'7 is one to all1 and the pre-eminence 71 this noun occurs in this form only at ,proverbs xiv4 #bc1 and xxi4 #e1 and evidently with the meaning of advantage or increase of one thing over another4 ,the ,,lxx4 translate this as if it were 1 #8and what profit1' but this is simply to give the sarcastic turn to the sentence7 of the man 7humanity generally7 over the beasts is nothing1 for the whole 7in its technical sense of the whole of life1 as usual7 is a vanity 7or evanescent74 #bj ,all go unto one place2 all alike go to the same place2 all are of the dust1 and all all alike come from the same turn to dust again4 dust2 and all alike return to the same dust again4 7#bj47 ,and the whole goes to one place1 the whole 7repeating this word so as to bring it into strong prominence7 was from the dust1 and the whole 7again repeated1 making the fourth time1 and so implying universality7 returns to the dust4 #ba ,who knoweth the spirit ,for who can tell how that the of man that goeth upward1 spirit of man ascends up on and the spirit of the beast high1 and that the spirit of that goeth downward to the the beast descends downwards earth8 to the earth8 ,hebrew of the sons of man4 ,hebrew is ascending4 7#ba47 ,who knows8 7participle1 poel1 #8who is knowing8' or #8who is there that knows8' ,the question does not assert the fact that there is no difference between man and beast2 on the contrary1 this clause is so ingeniously contrived as to assert the very reverse74 ,the spirit of the sons of men 7in its usual meaning1 of the whole human race7 is the ascending 7with the article1 #8the ascending thing'71 it is 7emphatic7 to the ascent 7the repetition of the same root in a different grammatical form gives prominence to this word4 ,the human soul is1 it appears1 especially an #8,,ascending thing'72 and the spirit of the beast a thing descending 7participle1 poel with article71 it is 7emphatic1 it really is this7 to the downwards to the earth 7the 1 to1 twice repeated1 gives emphasis#8even to'74 #bb ,wherefore ,i perceive that ,thus ,i perceived that there there is nothing better1 can be no real good above that than that a man should rejoice present-pleasure which man can in his own works2 for that obtain from his work2 as that is his portion3 for who is what belongs to him3 for who shall bring him to see what can bring him to see what may shall be after him8 be the subsequent results8 7#bb47 ,and ,i saw 7#8and thus ,i observed'7 how there is nothing of real-good 7in the technical sense in which this word occurs so often in this book7 from which 7full relative1 #8more than that in which1' or #8above that he should'7 he rejoices1 even the man does 7humanity generally71 in his workings 7or what he accomplishes1 plural71 for 7or1 as has occurred in the corresponding clause previously1 #8as'7 this is 7emphatic7 his portion 7#8lot' or #8inheritance1' singular73 for who 7 again repeated1 so we must render it #8and as none'7 can make him come to see 7this is not exactly equivalent to #8make him see2' it is rather equivalent to #8who could enable him to see1' or #8who could show him some method how he might discover'7 in what 7#8of what sort' is that work which7 which will be after him 7not in respect of time1 but results1#8consequences1' therefore74 ,thus ,koheleth's reasoning is quite clear1 conclusive1 and connected4 ,in ten particulars man and beast are alike4 7#a47 ,the result is the same to both2 7#b47 their death is alike2 7#c47 their spirit or animal life is the same2 7#d47 there is no pre-eminence of the one over the other2 7#e47 they are alike evanescent2 7#f47 they all go to the same place2 7#g47 they come from the same dust2 7#h47 and they all go to the same dust1 and no one can tell 7i4e4 for certain1 or by ordinary observations7 that they differ in this2 7#i47 man's soul goes up1 7#aj47 and the beast's goes down4 ,the arrangement of the whole1 it will be seen1 is highly artificial4 ,the next stage in the argument opens with #8,i turned and saw4' ,that is a further observation of a point in which1 it may be remarked incidentally1 man does differ from the beast3 he is the only animal that weeps4 ,the object here is again to show that mere earthly labour1 as such1 produces no satisfaction4 ,at this point the argument becomes somewhat less sustained1 dealing rather with a succession of instances4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,so ,i returned1 and ,,but to return3 ,i am observing considered all the oppressions this with regard to all those that are done under the sun3 afflictions which happen and behold the tears of such in this work-day world4 as were oppressed1 and they ,for see now the tear of the had no comforter2 and on the afflicted for which there is side of their oppressors no comforter3 and that in the there was power2 but they hand of their afflictors there had no comforter4 is power1 and yet there is no comforter4 ,hebrew hand4 ,,iv4 7#a47 ,turned ,i1 and ,i see 7the present tense following the perfect is equivalent to our imperfect1 #8,i was again regarding2' because this point has been touched on before1 though in another form1 at ii4 #bb1 #bc7 with respect to all 7 1 ,,lxx4 7 the oppressions 7with the article2 we must not restrict this to the oppression of one man over another1 but take the word in its general sense1 as from care1 sickness1 misfortune1 etc47 which are done 7the niphal has an objective sense1 #8submitted to1' or #8are done upon others'7 under the sun1 and behold 7calling attention to a manifest fact7 the tear 7singular4 ,this turn of thought1 which looks upon each tear as a sorrow1 a type and sample of all other sorrows1 is very beautiful4 ,compare ,revelation vii4 #ag1 and xxi4 #d1 ,isaiah xxv4 #h1 for the other side of this1#8,god shall wipe away every tear1' etc47 of the oppressings 7the same word as before1 1 which the ,,lxx41 rendering ad sensum1 express by a passive participle2 but the meaning of the passage really requires the same word in both clauses3 as far as ,koheleth's argument here is concerned1 the existence of the oppressor and oppressed are equally mysterious71 and there is nothing to them of comfort 7the ,,lxx4 render by a participle1 #8comforting1' #8no one comforts them'71 and in the hand of their oppressors might 7this means1 no doubt1 #8that the power of the oppressors was so great1' it was impossible to escape them2 but hidden underneath is the thoughtwhich again increases the mysterythat there is a mighty hand which could restrain these if it would71 and nothing to them of comfort 7repeated1 and so emphatic74 #b ,wherefore ,i praised the ,then ,i for my part pronounced dead which are already dead happy the dead who are at this more than the living which are time dead1 above the living in yet alive4 their present query8 pleasant6 lives2 7#b47 ,then ,i praised1 ,i did 7it was a personal matter1 a mere opinion of ,koheleth's71 with respect to the dead 7with the emphatic 7 which at present 7 see chapter i4 #aj1 references1 which occurs in the same technical sense as before1 #8this present time or state'7 are dead 7hence the whole is equivalent to #8which have finished their lives1 and now are in the state of the departed'71 above the living which they are living as yet 7 occurs here only1 and only differs in pointing from 1 which occurs ,genesis xviii4 #ab only1 #8pleasure4' ,it will be seen that this unusual word leads to a strange equivoke1 which yet helps the sense47 #c ,yea1 better is he than and better off than both those both they1 which hath not yet who have not yet been3 who have been1 who hath not seen the not yet had the pleasure6 evil work that is done under to see that work so evil which the sun4 will be done to them in this hot work-day world4 7#c47 ,and good above both 7equals our #8better off than either'7 which as yet 7 here only1 differing again from 1 #8delight1' #8,eden1' only in the pointing7 have not been which 7this being repeated1 is equivalent to #8even those who'7 do not see the workings so evil which are worked 7niphal1 #8suffered'7 under the sun4 ,it is remarkable that in both cases the sentence may be rendered1 without any violence to its grammar1 with each of these unusual words1 translated #8pleasantness' and #8pleasure' respectively1 as they ought to be thus1 #8,then ,i praised the dead which are now in the state of the dead1 above the living1 in so far as they are living pleasantly 7,hebrew idiom1 pleasantness71 and better off than both to whom the pleasure is not1 who is not seeing that evil work which is done under the sun4' ,no one can1 of course1 for a moment doubt that the true meaning is given by the former rendering1 while this latter is only an equivoke1 but it is an equivoke which helps the sense1 and gives a peculiar sarcastic tone to the whole4 ,i have endeavoured to represent this in the paraphrase by an equivoke between the words #8pleasant' and #8present1' which ,i am almost inclined to withdraw1 so feebly does it render the grave biting sarcasm of the original4 ,koheleth now touches on another instance of unsatisfactoriness which besets successful toil4 #d ,again1 ,i considered ,i have furthermore myself all travail1 and every right observed of all toil1 when it work1 that for this a man is comes to any successful issue1 envied of his neighbour4 ,this what envy hence arises of is also vanity and vexation a man from his fellows2 and of spirit4 this is another instance of evanescence and vexation of ,hebrew all rightness of spirit4 work4 ,hebrew this is the envy of a man from his neighbour4 7#d47 ,and ,i have seen myself 7equivalent to #8,i have also observed'71 with respect to the whole toil 7in respect #8of all toil whatsoever4' ,notice the twice-repeated emphatic and 71 and with respect to all success whatever 7that is1 toil or pains which come to a successful issue occurs ii4 #ba1 here1 and v4 #aa 7#aj71 with the meaning #8success4' ,the verb occurs xi4 #f1 x4 #aj2 and the only other place in which the root occurs is ,esther viii4 #e4 ,it has been said in consequence to be a late word2 but the force of any reasoning1 derived from its occurrence1 is much weakened by noticing that it is a technical term1 and is used to signify the #8successful issue' which results4 ,see chapter xi4 #f1 which is decisive4 ,the ,,lxx4 render by 1 #8bravery1' which is also the rendering at chapter v4 #aa7 of the working 71 in the usual sense of the working1 or what is accomplished71 for 7or #8how1' rather7 it is 7feminine pronoun emphatic1 see chapter iii4 #ac7 envy 7or jealousy7 of a man 7not here1 but 1 #8any one1' or #8one4' ,german1 #8man4' ,the meaning then is1 #8one's jealousy'7 over his neighbour4 7,thus the whole sentiment is1 that ,koheleth had observed that even when toil1 the trouble attending labour1 seemed to have a successful result1 it produced more envy than pleasure1 which ,koheleth expresses by the pregnant words1 #8,it is just the envy of a man over his neighbour4'7 ,also this is a vanity and vexation of spirit 7i4e4 is another instance of it74 #e ,the fool foldeth his hands ,the befooled wrings his hands together1 and eateth his own and eats his heart1 flesh4 7#e47 ,the fool 7i4e4 the #8befooled1' 1 doubtless by envy7 folds 7occurs iii4 #e1 #b ,kings iv4 #af2 or perhaps #8wrings'7 his hands and eats his flesh4 7,it has been much disputed what we are to understand by this figure2 but ,proverbs vi4 #aj1 xxiv4 #bcwhere the same formula occurs to express the idleness of the sluggardseems conclusive as to the meaning of folding his hands1 as also #8flesh' in this book has a technical meaning1 #8the sensuous nature'see chapter ii4 #c4 ,we can best understand it of the self-mortification of envy3 thus the connexion will be apparent both with what went before1 and is to follow74 #f ,better is an handful and yet a real good is but a with quietness1 than both fistful of rest2 better than the hands full with travail both palms full of toil and and vexation of spirit4 vexation of spirit4 7#f47 ,good 7i4e4 a real good7 filling a hand 71 #8the open palm'7 with rest1 than to fill 7which repeated twice is emphatic7 the double hand 7 occurs only ,exodus ix4 #h1 ,leviticus xvi4 #ab1 ,proverbs xxx4 #d1 ,ezekiel x4 #b1 #g1the #8two hands' held together so as to hold the most they can7 of a toil and vexation of spirit4 #g ,then ,i returned1 and ,i ,furthermore ,i have observed saw vanity under the sun4 also another instance of evanescence within this hot work-day world4 7#g47 ,and ,i turned1 ,i myself1 and ,i see 7the same formula introducing another instance of the same kind7 a vanity 7an instance of vanity7 under the sun4 #h ,there is one alone1 and ,there exists a solitary who there is not a second2 yea1 has no fellow2 neither son he hath neither child nor nor brother has he1 yet there brother3 yet is there no end is no end to all his toils3 of all his labour2 neither is and besides no satisfaction to his eye satisfied with riches2 himself in all his wealth3 who neither saith he1 ,for whom never asks1 #8,for whom am ,i now do ,i labour1 and bereave my toiling and depriving myself soul of good8 ,this is also of good8' ,this is an instance vanity1 yea1 it is a sore of evanescence and uncertainty1 travail4 which is evil and nothing else4 7#h47 ,there is one1 and there is not a second 7evidently meaning that there is one who is quite alone in the world74 ,moreover1 son and brother there is not to him 7i4e4 he has emphatically neither posterity nor relationship to account for this desire of accumulating which ,koheleth is subsequently about to bring forward3 his love of accumulation is purely selfish71 and there is nothing of an end 71 #8nothing1' is repeated three times3 #8,no end at all' is therefore the meaning4 ,this continual harping on the nothingness of the miser's state is an exceedingly effective piece of oratory7 to all his toil4 ,moreover1 his eyes 7altered by the ,masorets to the singular1 but without much taste3 #8both his eyes devour his wealth'7 does not satisfy 7feminine singular2 hence1 as the ,,lxx4 show1 the word must refer to eyes as its subject2 they render #8is not filled with1' for it is a case of a distributive plural7 wealth4 ,and for whom do ,i 7the oratio obliqua is dropped1 and the directa used in its place2 or perhaps with this meaning does this ego7 toil1 and depriving my soul 7with the usual meaning1 #8myself'7 of good8 7abstract47 ,also this is a vanity and an anxiety which an evil is 7emphatic7 #8indeed' 7equivalent to #8an evil and nothing else1' or #8is simply an evil'2 other anxieties may be beneficial1 this cannot be4 ,this is the reason why we have 1 and not 1 the abstract1 as we should have expected74 #i ,two are better than ,good things are companionships1 one2 because they have a good and better than solitaries2 for reward for their labour4 these indeed have some reward for their labour4 7#i47 ,good 7things7 are the doubles 7i4e4 union in the abstract71 better than the single 7again1 for the same reason1 with the article71 because 7literally #8which1' the full relative1 and referring back to the whole idea7 there is 7exists1 #8because there exists1'7 a reward1 a good 7i4e4 a real good2 for to love one's neighbour as one's self is one of the real good things of this world7 in the toil of them4 #aj ,for if they fall1 the one ,because if one falls1 then will lift up his fellow3 but his fellow sets him up again3 woe to him that is alone but sad is it to the solitary when he falleth2 for he hath when he slips1 for there is no not another to help him up4 second to set him up4 7#aj47 ,for if they fall1 the one 7singular1 following plural1 either one or other fall1 that is7 then is caused to stand his fellow 7,judges xx4 #aa1 ,psalms xlv4 #g71 and woe to him 7in this form at this place only1 perhaps because of the play upon the word #8where is he8' an equivoke which helps the sense7 the single one which falls 7contracted relative1 #8when or as he falls1'7 and there is no second to make him stand4 #aa ,again1 if two lie ,moreover1 if two lie together together1 then they have heat3 they keep each other warm3 but but how can one be warm how can one be warm alone8 alone8 7#aa47 ,moreover 7an additional instance of the advantage of companionship1 taken from the passive side1 as the other was from the active side of this matter71 if they lie down1 two of them1 and heat to them 7i4e4 #8there is certainly warmth for them'71 but to the single one1 how can he be warmed8 #ab ,and if one prevail ,and where one would fail1 two against him1 two shall will prevail2 and a threefold withstand him2 and a threefold cord is not quickly broken4 cord is not quickly broken4 7#ab47 ,and if they prevail over 7impersonal1 any prevail over7 the single1 the doubles will stand before him 7plural1 the idea is that there are two to one71 and the cord which is the triplex is not in haste broken 7,jeremiah viii4 #af2 ,judges xvi4 #i74 #ac ,better is a poor and ,a ,poor and ,prudent young man a wise child than an old and is better than a ,perverse old foolish king1 who will no king1 who cannot be prevailed more be admonished4 on to listen to a warning4 ,hebrew who knoweth not to be admonished4 7#ac47 ,good is a child1 poor 71 occurs chapter iv4 #ac1 ix4 #ae1 #af only2 the root occurs in the sense #8profitable1' see ,job xxii4 #b2 the idea seems to be1 that kind of poverty which is economical and sparing7 and wise from 7#8above1' that is2 the ordinary of comparison27 a king old 71 the alliteration between miscan and zakan gives pungency4 ,we have rendered this in the paraphrase by a corresponding alliteration7 and befooled1 who does not know how to be warned as yet4 7,the allusion here to ,solomon is palpable1 and this may account for the apparently redundant 1 #8as yet1' at the end of the sentence47 #ad ,for out of prison he ,for from a prison-house of cometh to reign2 whereas plotters he comes forth to also he that is born in his reign1 and beside in his kingdom becometh poor4 kingdom is the birthplace of meanness4 7#ad47 ,for from the house of rebels 7 is considered a contraction for 1 #8prison2' but1 to say the least1 this is a violation of the critical canon1 which bids us prefer the harder reading4 ,that the derivation from 1 #8to turn aside1' hence #8revolters1' is contrary to the pointing1 is not a valid objection1 because the ,masorets pointed as they did to explain a difficulty2 so also the ,,lxx41 who read and 4 ,if possible1 we ought to preserve intact the unpointed text4 ,the exact and literal meaning is1 as the text stands1 #8from the house of the turners-aside1' i4e4 those conspirators and wicked men1 sycophants1 who will be flattering him to promote their own interest1 and this was exactly ,solomon's case7 he goes out to reign1 for 7the second 1 with the meaning #8so'7 also 7#8moreover2' this particle1 as we have seen1 usually introduces an additional reason1 confirming the one which went before7 in his kingdom is begotten 71 noled1 a play upon 1 jeled1 above7 want 7 is poverty in the sense of indigence and meanness2 compare #a ,samuel xviii4 #bc1 and ,proverbs xix4 #a1 #g1 #bb2 as1 however1 has the form of a concrete1 we must remember that it involves the idea of a poor man1 hence there is a sarcastic ambiguity1 heightened by alliteration4 ,take the ,,lxx4 and ,masorets' sense1 which is merely to allow the obvious play between and 1 and the sentiment is true1 and1 curiously enough1 equally corresponds with the history74 80 replaced with 80 ,the following passage is one of great difficulty1 but a very careful attention to its precise wording and the equivoke it contains1 may perhaps afford a solution4 #ae ,i considered all the ,i have observed of all lives living which walk under the whatsoever1 as they are sun1 with the second child progressing in this work-day that shall stand up in his world1 in regard to any stead4 successors which may arise in their places1 7#ae47 ,i have seen 7#8observed as matter of fact'71 with respect to all the lives 7which the ,,lxx4 render 71 the proceeding ones 7participle1 piel plural with the article,,lxx4 occurs here and ,psalms civ4 #c1 ,proverbs vi4 #aa2 #8as they are advancing' must be the meaning1 and hence the observation was made with regard to the progress of these lives71 under the sun 7that is1 in this stage of their existence2 the limitation here is excessively important17 together with the child 7with the article1 generic1 and giving the meaning of that which is #8begotten of them1' of course children primarily1 but not exclusively2 the #8heir' or #8successors' would represent the idea71 the second 7i4e4 the immediate successor7 who stands in their stead 7plural1 which nevertheless the ,,lxx4 render ' 1 and rightly1 because it is an instance of a distributive plural1 with regard to 74 #af ,there is no end of all that no result was ever reached the people1 even of all that by the moiling multitude have been before them3 they in the past3 and as to what also that come after shall not succeeds them1 they will have rejoice in him4 ,surely this no earthly pleasure in also is vanity and vexation that4 ,another instance of of spirit4 evanescence and vexing of spirit4 7#af47 ,there is nothing of an end 7i4e4 #8result1' occurs chapter iv4 #h1 #af7 to all the people 7with the article1 1 ,,lxx4and in this book it appears as a collective for the human racesee chapter xii4 #i71 to all 7repeated1 hence with the meaning1 #8that is to all those'7 that 7full relative7 were before them 7but #8before' in the sense of in their #8presence1' not in the sense of #8before their time'71 moreover 7introducing an additional reason71 the succeeding ones7see #b ,chronicles ix4 #bi1 xii4 #ae1 which will give the exact meaning7 not 7rather emphatic from its position1 #8not at all'7 will they 7i4e4 the people before them7 rejoice in it 7#8it' is a singular following a plural1 and hence a distributive1 #8any successor'7 for also this is a vanity 7an instance of evanescence7 and vexing 7not #8vexation1' because this comes from within7 of spirit4 ,thus the sense is clear2 it is the conclusion of the argument4 ,koheleth's observation has regard to the progress of lives in relation to anything that may or is to be produced by them in the way of heritageor1 in other words1 he asks how far the present state of things can be explained on the theory that it is a working for posterity1 and he shows that this is not an explanation1 for there is no result obtained by the collective people in the present1 because each age is the same morally as that which went before it2 while1 of course1 with regard to what is to succeed1 the present generation cannot rejoice in that1 because they will be all dead1 and as the argument is limited to what takes place under the sun1 so all so-called progress is but an instance of evanescence4 ,the idea1 if not that contained in the observation of one who selfishly observed1 when requested to care for posterity1 #8that as posterity had done nothing for him1 he did not see why he should do anything for posterity1' rests on the same facts4 ,the sentence also1 it appears1 contains a remarkable equivoke4 sounds very like 1 and this division of the words will make such good and pungent sense that we can hardly imagine that the equivoke was unintentional4 ,the equivoke is sought to be rendered in the paraphrase by the addition of the words enclosed in the brackets4 ,at this point we come to another division in the book4 ,certain practical exhortations follow1 deduced from the previous arguments1 concerning human conduct1 under the circumstances above set forth4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,section ,,iv4,practical aphorisms grounded on the foregoing4 ,,keep thy foot when thou ,,guard thou thy steps as one goest to the house of ,god1 and who art walking to the ,house of be more ready to hear1 than to the ,divinity1 and approach give the sacrifice of fools3 rather to hearken than to give1 for they consider not that as the fools do1 a sacrifice2 they do evil4 who do not know when evil is being done4 ,v4 7#a47 ,keep thy feet 7the ,masorets have altered this to the singular1 but without sufficient reason2 yet the ,,lxx4 support the ,kri7 as when 7occurs chapter v4 #c 7#d71 viii4 #g2 #8as though' is the meaning here7 thou walkest 7taking up the word from the last clause above7 towards the house of the ,deity 7the ,,lxx4 render1 of course correctly as to sense by the double article1 #8,thou art walking to the temple of a ,divine ,providence' is the idea71 and drawing near to hear 7evidently #8in order to hear'2 hence the ,,lxx4 render 2 some1 however1 with the ,authorized ,version1 take this as an imperative1 but the sense is better preserved by rendering as the ,,lxx4 do71 more than giving of the befooled ones 7for we must not lose sight of the hiphil form3 they are deceived either by themselves or others7 a sacrifice4 7,the curious rendering of the ,,lxx4 by no means shows that they did not understand the meaning1 or even would have altered the present pointing2 fulfils their conditions of rendering1 which is1 if possible1 to preserve both the sense and the order1 #8above the gift of fools is thy sacrifice'74 ,for they are not those instructed to the doing of 7so the ,,lxx41 7 evil4 ,the sentence is purposely ambiguous and equivocal2 it is not clear at first sight whether the fools are those who do evil1 or whether it be the doing of evil generally which is the point1 but the following will seem to give a fair explanation of this difficult passage4 ,the advice given after the considerations above1 is to walk reverently1 and to listen to what ,god's oracle will say1 rather than do as fools do1offer a sacrifice to avert evil1 which they do not after all know to be such1 and which1 if it implies dissatisfaction with these divine providential arrangements1 is a foolish1 if not sinful1 sacrifice4 ,this is further set forth in the following verses4 8difcult0 replaced with 8difficult0 #b ,be not rash with thy ,do not be hasty with thy lips1 mouth1 and let not thine heart nor in thought hurry forth a be hasty to utter any thing word against the ,almighty1 for before ,god3 for ,god is in that ,almighty is in the heaven1 and thou upon earth3 heavens1 and thou art upon the therefore let thy words be earth3 on this account let thy few4 words be sparing4 ,because just as there comes dreaming through #c ,for a dream cometh through a multitude of anxieties1 so the multitude of business2 and there comes the voice of a a fool's voice is known by befooled through a multitude of multitude of words4 reasonings4 ,or1 word4 7#b1 #c47 ,do not hasten 7the hastiness of vexation1 see ,job iv4 #e1 xxiii4 #ae1 ,psalms vi4 #aj7 upon thy mouth 7the preposition is by no means redundant71 and thy heart do not hurry 7the usual word denoting the hurry of want of time4 ,the meaning then is1 do not speak1 no1 do not even think1 hastily7 to cause to send out a word 7with the usual meaning of #8a reason to be acted on'7 before the ,deity1 because the ,deity 7as this is a repetition1 the word becomes emphatic1 #8that ,deity'7 in the heavens and thou 7emphatic7 on the earth1 therefore be thy words a few 7i4e4 diminished rather than increased1 hence the following74 ,for comes the dream in the multitude of anxiety1 and a voice of a befooled one 7for it is without the article7 in the multitude of words 7or #8reasons1' as above74 ,the argument now passes over from rash speeches to rash vows4 ,a vow is a favourite resource with the foolish for obtaining the accomplishment of their wishes3 they think to bribe ,providence with gifts and offerings4 #d ,when thou vowest a vow 7#b47 ,shouldst thou have vowed unto ,god1 defer not to pay it2 specially to ,god1 do not be for he hath no pleasure in slow to pay it2 because there fools3 pay that which thou is no providence with the hast vowed4 befooled ones3 just what thou hast vowed pay4 7#d47 ,when thou hast vowed a vow 7#8,if by any means thou hast done this1' for considerable emphasis is given by the repetition of #8vow1' according to the well-known ,hebrew idiom7 to ,god1 do not defer to pay it 7the alacrity with which men vow is commonly in strong contrast with the tardiness with which they pay71 because there is nothing of providence 71 with its usual technical meaning1 and also equivocal1 in the sense of #8pleasure'7 in befooled ones3 with respect to what thou hast vowed1 pay 7the ,,lxx4 render #8thou then1' but the emphasis given by may easily account for this74 #e ,better is it that thou ,for it is better that thou shouldest not vow1 than that shouldst not vow1 than that thou shouldest vow and not thou shouldst be vowing and not pay4 pay4 7#e47 ,a good is it that thou shouldst not vow 7the sentence is ambiguous1 but the equivoke is #8thou hadst better not vow'71 than that thou shouldst vow and not pay4 #f ,suffer not thy mouth ,do not allow thy mouth to cause to cause thy flesh to sin2 thy body to sin2 and say not in neither say thou before the the presence of ,god's messenger1 angel1 that it was an error3 #8,it was but an inadvertence3' wherefore should ,god be angry why should the ,almighty be at thy voice1 and destroy the angry with your prattle1 and work of thine hands8 put an arrest on the work of your hands8 7#f47 ,do not give with respect to thy mouth 7the is not redundant1 #8do not appoint1' which is the meaning of 71 to cause to make to sin with respect to thy flesh 7the meaning then must be1 #8do not so arrange matters as to cause thy mouth to make thy flesh sin1' by1 that is1 preferring the ease1 pleasure1 of the flesh or the like1 to the sacrifice caused by a redemption of the vow71 and do not say in the presence of the angel 7with the article2 had this been noticed as it ought1 less difficulty would have been felt in the interpretation of this passage2 the angel is the messenger of ,providence who comes to require the vow1 and whom1 of course1 with or without sufficient reason1 the person bound by the vow expects7 that 77 an error it is3 7see ,leviticus iv4 #b1 #bb1 #bg1 and ,numbers xv4 #bd1 #be1 #bi2 when too this passage is compared with ,leviticus iv4 #b1 we can have no doubt that here is the equivalent of there7 why 7,,lxx4 1 #8so that not'71 should be angry 7,genesis xl4 #b1 ,deuteronomy i4 #bd7 the ,deity over thy voice 7,ginsburg1 excellently1 #8with thy prattle'71 and destroy 7as this word is used to signify the #8giving a pledge1' this peculiar signification conveys the idea1 #8destroy by exacting a pledge1' #8make thee bankrupt by insisting upon payment'7 with respect to the work of your hands8 #g ,for in the multitude of ,for in the multitude of dreams dreams and many words there and vanities even so reasons are also divers vanities3 are multiplied that ,,god is to but fear thou ,god4 be feared4 7#g47 ,for in a multitude of dreams 7#8conjectures' probably7 and vanities and reasonings1 the much 7i4e4 these reasonings are increased72 for 7 is repeated1 and this repetition makes it emphatic#8so indeed'7 with respect to the ,deity fear4 ,the probable meaning is1 #8fear ,god under all circumstances3 vanity and conjectures only increase the reasons for so doing1'thus is revealed the real conclusion of the whole treatise4 ,koheleth now takes up a subject ineffectually discussed before1 and solves it with this principle just enunciated3 ,fear ,god4 #h ,if thou seest the 7#c47 ,if violent oppression oppression of the poor1 and of the poor1 and wresting violent perverting of judgment of justice and right1 should and justice in a province1 be observed by you in a marvel not at the matter3 for jurisdiction1 do not be he that is higher than the surprised at the providence2 highest regardeth2 and there for the lofty are watched by be higher than they4 one loftier still1 and these lofty ones aresubjects4 ,hebrew at the will1 or purpose4 7#h47 ,if oppression of the poor 7see chapter iv4 #a1 #c1 etc471 and wresting of judgment and right1 thou seest in a province 71 this has been considered a late word1 and a sign1 moreover1 that the writer lived in the country and not in the city1 as he says1 chapter i4 #ab2 but though it occurs in the later ,hebrew #a ,kings xx4 #ad is the first instance it is quite regularly formed1 and is clearly in place here71 do not marvel 7,psalms xlviii4 #f1 ,jeremiah iv4 #i1 to #8be astonished1' #8struck with astonishment'7 over the providence 7 with the article2 the ,,lxx4 render in this instance1 the word1 however1 occurs in the technical meaning it has all through the book1 see chapter iii4 #a1 v4 #d 7#c772 for high from above the high 7which the ,,lxx4 render word for word1 7 keeps and high ones above them 7the sentence is enigmatic1 perhaps proverbial1 though the meaning is clear4 ,is it possible that a play was intended between and 1 ,leviticus v4 #ae1 a #8transgression1' being taken in the meaning of swelling up1 thus#8,increasing transgression is increasing regard8' ,in the same way the at the end of would unite with the word following in utterance1 and so help the equivoke74 #i ,moreover the profit of ,and besides1 the earth is for all3 the king himself is served by the 7i47 ,the produce of the earth field4 is all in all3 a king is a subject to the field4 7#i47 ,and the profit 7as this is joined by a conjunction with the former1 we must look upon it as a further argument in the same chain of reasoning2 the meaning will then be #8and besides the produce'7 of earth 7not the earth1 the article is wanting7 in all 7the ,,lxx4 render this by with a dative1 hence they understood the preposition here to mean #8for all1' which our version follows7 it is 7feminine1 in close apposition therefore with the noun1 but this noun must be 1 which is feminine1 and the meaning is that it exists subjectively1 or is always there playing its part7 a king 7again1 not the king3 any king1 therefore1 however great1,solomon himself1 or any other7 to a field 7again1 not the field1 equivalent to some field2 the ,,lxx4 render by the simple genitive7 is served 7niphal2 this occurs only twice in the past tense1 here and at ,ezekiel xxxvi4 #i1 both in the sense of tilling2 and the niphal future twice1 at ,deuteronomy xxi4 #d and ,ezekiel xxxvi4 #cd1 again with the same meaningno doubt is used with the signification #8to serve generally' in a vast number of places4 ,it must be observed1 however1 that a niphal is not exactly the same as a passive1 but has an objective signification1 so that it is often nearer in meaning to the ,greek middle voice than our passive4 ,bearing this in mind1 we can have no further doubt over this passage as to its principal scope1#8the king is served of1' or #8a subject to the field4' ,the idea is that the very highest are really in a state of abject dependencea single day's starvation would have been sufficient to have brought to the dust ,solomon or ,nebuchadnezzar4 ,the other possible rendering1 that #8the king is served by the field1' is only the other side of the same truth1 and the sentence is equivocal1 being ingeniously constructed so as to read either way74 #aj ,he that loveth silver 7ii47 ,a lover of money no shall not be satisfied with money ever satisfied2 and silver2 nor he that loveth who that loved profusion abundance with increase3 this ever had sufficient income8 is also vanity4 ,another instance of the evanescent4 7#aj47 ,loving silver 7the ,masorets point as a participle1 but however correct this may be1 the participial notion is in ,ecclesiastes apparently not so prominent1 as it is when the poel is used written full7 not satisfies 7i4e4 as the nominative follows1 #8shall not be satisfied with'7 silver 7silver is doubled here1 and used of course in the sense of moneythe meaning being that #8a lover of money no money ever satisfies'71 and who loving in a multitude 7i4e4 setting his desires in a multitude of goods1 or anything else7 not 7but the ,,lxx4 in place of possibly read 1 #8to him1' and this makes far better and more pungent sense#8to him' emphatic will then be the meaning7 a revenue 7,numbers xviii4 #cj1 ,deuteronomy xxxiii4 #ad1 ,proverbs iii4 #ad1 xviii4 #bj2 or1 still better1 for the word is derived from the root 1 #8to come1' #8an income4' ,thus it is seen that the two clauses are aimed respectively against niggardliness and extravagance4 ,the miser and the spendthrift both never have enough72 also this is vanity 7another instance of the transitory and evanescent1 as indeed it is1 because these riches look satisfactory and are not74 #aa ,when goods increase1 they 7iii47 ,as property increases1 are increased that eat them3 so increases consumption and what good is there to too2 and what success then the owners thereof1 saving the has ownership1 but just the beholding of them with their right of beholding it8 eyes8 7#aa47 ,in the multitudes of the good 7an abstract1 with the article1 and hence the meaning is #8,in the very increase of the property itself1 and as it increases1' this being the meaning of the plural1 which is distributive7 multiply the eatings of it 7or1 for the may be considered paragogic1 and so making1 as it were1 an abstract of the poel participle1 #8consumers'71 and what is the success 71 see ii4 #ba1 references7 to the owners of it 7i4e4 to ownership71 except seeing 71 this the ,masorets alter to 1 but unnecessarily1 for there is a slight difference in the sense here1 which will account for the unusual grammatical form2 a causative or hiphil notion is implied by it2 hence the ,,lxx4 1 #8the priority to see1'7 his eyes8 7i4e4 each one with his eyes1 singular following plural74 #ab ,the sleep of a labouring 7iv47 ,how sweet is the sleep man is sweet1 whether he of the slave1 if a little1 eat little or much3 but the or if much he eats3 but a abundance of the rich will not sufficiency to one who is suffer him to sleep4 enricheddoes not cause rest to him so that he sleeps4 7#ab47 ,sweet 7but the participial form of the noun must not be overlooked1 nor the feminine termination1 equivalent to a #8sweetness1'7 is the sleep of the slave 7#8of the toiler1' with the article71 if a little1 or if the much he eats 7there is a peculiar force in contrasting #8the much1' 1 with the article1 with without it2 even if he should eat to the much i4e4 as large a quantity as he can it will do him no harm3 no nightmare will trouble him who has earned his hearty meal by his hard work71 but the satisfaction 7as contrasted with 7 to the enriched it is not that which is causing rest 7hiphil participle7 to him 7emphatic7 to sleep 7an equivoke here is to be found in and 1 remembering that 1 #8seven1' is used so commonly for #8completeness1' and 1 #8ten1' as #8rich' and #8overflowing2' seven with ten has a peculiar meaning in the symbolism of numbers74 #ac ,there is a sore evil 7v47 ,there is this evil which ,i have seen under the infirmity which ,i have sun1 namely1 riches kept for observed in this work-day the owners thereof to their world3 ,riches kept by an hurt4 owner to his own injury2 7#ac47 ,there is an evil 7abstract1 a particular kind of evil71 a sickness 7another abstract7 ,i have seen under the sunwealth keeping to 7i4e4 being kept by7 its possessors to their hurt4 #ad ,but those riches perish for the wealth itself by evil travail3 and he perishes in an uncertainty begetteth a son1 and there which is distressing3 so is nothing in his hand4 that when he begets an heir1 he has in his hand just nothing at all4 7#ad47 ,and perishes1 that riches1 that same 7as we should say1 #8those very same riches'7 in an uncertainty 71 another instance of this word2 we see that in this case also see chapter i4 #ac1 references1 the meaning #8anxious uncertainty' exactly suits the context71 which is an evil 7this anxious care1 instead of doing any good1 is but a simple mischief71 and he is caused to beget a son 7to whom1 of course1 he would have wished to bequeath his wealth71 and there is nothing in his hand at all 7which the ,,lxx4 render by a double negative1 and hence we must render #8and has in his hand even nothing at all'74 #ae ,as he came forth of his ,for naked as when he came mother's womb1 naked shall he forth from the womb of return to go as he came1 and his mother does he go out shall take nothing of his of the world again2 and labour1 which he may carry nothing whatever does he away in his hand4 take from his care1 which he can hold in his hand4 7#ae47 ,and as he came out from the womb of his mother naked 7which is reserved to the end of the clause1 making it emphatic2 it is moreover written full1 so that a slight additional emphasis is given by this to the #8state of nakedness' existing71 he returns to go back 7somewhat stronger than goes backhe comes to this state through intermediate stages7 just as he came 7#8as he was at the first1 so now is he at the last'71 and nothing at all does he not lift up 7,genesis vii4 #ag1 #8bear' as a burden7 in his toil 7as we say1 #8have for his pains1' observing the meaning of 1 not the labour but the anxiety which causes1 or results from1 the labour7 which he takes in his hand4 #af ,and this also is a sore ,moreover1 in this is evil1 that in all points as discovered that evil he came1 so shall he go3 and infirmity1 that precisely what profit hath he that hath as he began1 so does laboured for the wind8 he leave off2 and what possible advantage can there be1 that he toiled for the wind8 7#af47 ,and1 moreover1 this same evil sickness1 all over against 7 occurs as two words here only2 is the ordinary form1 it has the meaning of #8against1' #8over against1' see ,exodus xxv4 #bg1 #b ,samuel xvi4 #ac2 it has been proposed to read 1 in which case the meaning will be as in the above#8precisely as1' ,,lxx4 1 but this is to a certain extent to cut the knot rather than untie it4 ,now occurs separately here only1 and if really exists1 it is a noun feminine in regimen2 now the meaning of 1 which is presented both in #8people' and in the preposition #8with1' gives evidently something #8collected' or #8gathered1' hence would mean a #8collection' or #8instance1' and #8collection' or #8instance of1' and then the exact meaning of will be #8every instance of his going'71 which he comes 7close relative1 the reason of which is now sufficiently evident1 meaning1 #8just as he comes2' he simply goes round in a circle without accomplishing anything1 or returns back on his own track in every instance7 so 7emphatic1 standing apart from its noun1 equal #8just so'7 does he go1 and what profit to him who has toiled 7close relative again1 #8in that he has toiled'7 to the wind8 7which1 see chapter i4 #f1 returns back again as it did before4 #8,to' is here not exactly the same as #8like to1' but very near it2 but perhaps also because his toil or care is to his spirit1 as it has no effect otherwise47 #ag ,all his days also he ,moreover1 all his days he eateth in darkness1 and he consumes in darkness3 his hath much sorrow and wrath disappointment is very with his sickness4 great indeed3 he has sickness and is sorry4 7#ag47 ,moreover1 all his days in darkness 7for1 of course1 all this time he has never any idea which way he was really going1 or what he is doing7 he eats 7or consumes71 and disappointment is the much 7or is multiplied71 and his sickness and wrath 7 is that kind of wrath which arises from anger with a person on account of something wrong4 ,this miserable life is summed up1 it appears1 in four particulars7#a47 ,all his days he eats in darkness2 7#b47 the vexation of disappointment consumes him2 7#c47 he is sick1 or rather1 in this general sense1 he is afflicted2 7#d47 he is angry1 for those mistakes and disappointments47 #ah ,behold that which ,i ,manifest1 then1 is that real have seen3 it is good and good which ,i have observed1 comely for one to eat and to viz41 that it is proper to eat1 drink1 and to enjoy the good and to drink1 and so to see of all his labour that he good in all one's toil which taketh under the sun all the one may toil in this hot days of his life1 which ,god work-day world1 as the tale of giveth him3 for it is his one's daily life4 ,for this is portion4 what ,god gives1 and this is one's own possession4 ,hebrew there is a good which is comely1 etc4 ,hebrew the number of the days4 7#ah47 ,behold 7for this introduces the manifest result of his observation7 that which ,i have seen1 even ,i myself 7the result therefore of his own personal experience71 a real good2 which also 7the full relative here has this meaning1 because it is repeated7 is suitable to the eating 7i4e4 active enjoyment71 to the drinking 7which is passive71 and to the seeing of goodness 7the lamed is repeated before each full infinitive1 and the abstract follows1 which therefore gives the meaning that what he had observed was1 #8that it was proper that one should eat1 or one should drink1 or should see good in1' etc41 i4e4 any or all of these72 and 7repeated1 meaning #8and also'7 in all his toil which 7contracted relative7 he toils over 7toil is thus made very emphatic1 the meaning is1 #8for which one so earnestly or unceasingly toils1' for observe also1 as no nominative is expressed1 the verb is impersonal7 under the sun the number 7the root has the meaning to count or enumerate1 hence the idea #8as one is counting one's days'7 of the days of his life which gives to him 7emphatic7 the ,deity 7nominative following verb1 with the usual shade of meaning71 because it is his portion 7i4e4 what belongs to him1 but in the future he has no portion1 that no man has any right over74 #ai ,every man also to whom ,and beside1 should the ,almighty ,god hath given riches and appoint to any individuals wealth1 and hath given him of the human race1 riches1 power to eat thereof1 and possessions1 and the power to take his portion1 and to to enjoy them1 and so to make rejoice in his labour2 this use of their possessions1 and is the gift of ,god4 rejoice in their toilthis is simply a ,divine appointment4 7#ai47 ,moreover1 all the man 7i4e4 every one of the human race considered collectively and in the abstract7 which gives to him 7equivalent to one to whom7 ,god 7gives or appoints7 wealth and riches1 and it is caused him to have power in order to eat 7which we have seen is used as the highest type of enjoyment in the active sense7 of it1 and to take his portion 7for a man may possess without being able to eat or enjoy at all1 hence the necessity for this clause in the course of the argument2 has the meaning to #8lift up1' #8carry1' or #8bear'71 and to rejoice in his toil 7whichconsidering the exact meaning assigned in this book to 1 the #8care' one takes in one's labourto rejoice in is to see it come to a successful end72 this same 7the ,masorets put here a strong disjunctive accent7 a gift of ,god it is4 #bj ,for he shall not much ,for the memory of the days of remember the days of his life2 the past life is not of much because ,god answereth him in importance2 but the ,almighty the joy of his heart4 rather exercises men in their present emotions4 ,or1 though he give not much1 yet he remembereth1 etc4 7#bj47 ,for not the much he remembers 7but as no nominative precedes or follows1 the verb is impersonal7 the days of his life1 and for 7the second introducing a reason in addition to and confirmatory of the first7 the ,deity answers 7this is the only place in which the participle hiphil occurs2 in one other place the participle pual,isaiah liii4 #d1 which differs only from the hiphil in its pointing1 occurs evidently in the sense of #8afflicted1' which the ,,lxx4 render by 1 #8in affliction4' ,the future hiphil is used at #a ,kings viii4 #ce and #b ,chronicles vi4 #bf1 parallels1 and is translated #8thou dost afflict them4' ,on the whole1 however1 the meaning1 as pointed out by ,zckler1 and which the ,,lxx4 confirm1 seems to be1 #8hears them by vouchsafing2' and as this answer is painful or joyful1 as the case may be1 and more usually the former1 #8exercises' would be a suitable rendering7 in the joy of 7or by means of the joy1 1 of the instrument2 it is an abstract in regimen1 #8in the joyousness' or #8rejoicings of'7 his heart4 ,thus1 then1 the two reasons given stand related thus3 ,present gratification is the lot of humanity1 because the past is not much remembered4 ,the chief remembrancefor this is the meaning of is not in the past4 ,the deepest sorrows fade away quickly into forgetfulness2 and so also the brightest joys4 ,they have1 no doubt1 some influence by recollection1 but not much4 ,and thus the ,deity1 or ,god regarded as the supreme providential ruler1 exercises us4 ,he responds to our anxieties1 afflicts us1 or chastens us1 or causes us pleasure by means of joys given or taken away1 as the case may be4 ,again1 these are spoken of as joys of our hearts1 or of our inward desires and consciousness1 which is the meaning of #8heart' in this book2 our emotional nature1 as the idea would stand expressed in the nomenclature of modern philosophy4 8,zkler0 replaced with 8,zckler0 for consistency ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,there is an evil which ,i ,,there is another evil which ,i have seen under the sun1 and have observed in this work-day it is common among men3 world1 and a common one is it upon mankind3 ,,vi4 7#a47 ,there is 7exists7 an evil which ,i have seen under the sun1 and common 7literally #8much'7 it is 7feminine emphatic7 over the man 7i4e4 mankind in general74 #b ,a man to whom ,god hath one who has appointed to given riches1 wealth1 and him by the ,almighty riches1 honour1 so that he wanteth possessions1 and honour1 and nothing for his soul of all there is nothing lacking to him that he desireth1 yet ,god which he could possibly desire2 giveth him not power to eat and yet the ,almighty ,himself thereof1 but a stranger eateth does not allow him to have it3 this is vanity1 and it any enjoyment of it2 but is an evil disease4 some stranger or other enjoys it4 ,this is an instance of evanescence1 and an infirmity which is indeed an evil4 7#b7 ,a man 71 not 1 for it is equivalent to our #8one' indefinitely71 which gives to him 7emphatic7 the ,deity 7one to whom the ,deity gives1 that is7 riches1 and possessions 7chapter v4 #ai71 and honour1 and he is not lacking to his soul of all which he desires 7the expression is peculiar1 and is designed to bring into prominence the fact that to this person nothing at all is lacking2 as we say1 #8he wants for nothing'7 and not causes to him power1 does the ,deity to eat 7in the usual sense of #8enjoy' or #8use'7 from it1 for a man 7again 1 #8one'71 a stranger1 eats it 7equivalent to #8some stranger or another really enjoys it'74 ,this is vanity and sickness1 which is an evil1 7indeed7 it is4 #c ,if a man beget an ,suppose one were to beget a hundred children1 and live hundred children1 and he should many years1 so that the days have many years1 yes1 many of his years be many1 and his indeed may be the days of his soul be not filled with good1 years1 and his soul not and also that he have no satisfied with good1 and he burial2 ,i say1 that an have no burial1,i should say1 untimely birth is better that better off than such an than he4 one is an abortion4 7#c47 ,if is caused to beget a man 7again 1 #8should one beget'7 a hundred 7children is to be supplied1 but not prominently2 begetting is used in its widest sense71 and years many 7plural1 equivalent to #8years1 and many of them'7 should live1 and many 7singular7 which they are the days of his years 7#8and the days of his years should be ever so many1' his life being expressed both in days and years to give strong prominence to the fact of its duration71 and his soul not satisfied from out of the good 7the abstract with the article1 hence equivalent to our #8good1' standing alone71 and moreover burial 7the abstract of the past participle1 used1 of course1 as the place of burialsee ,genesis xxxv4 #bj1 xlvii4 #cj1 but with a shade of difference from compare ,genesis xlvii4 #cj with ,genesis l4 #e1 for here1 too1 we notice that is written full71 is not to be to him 7emphatic4 ,to have no burial1 no one to lament him or erect a tomb over himto be worse off than ,jehoiakim1 ,jeremiah xxii4 #ai1 who had the burial of an assis such a terrible failure to a man who had possessed a hundred children1 of whom some at least might have shown him this last honour1 that it may well be cited as an instance of failure of human felicity71 ,i say a good better than his 7emphatic7 is the abortion 7i4e4 that abortion is a better lot74 #d ,for he cometh in with ,for in evanescence it begins1 vanity1 and departeth in and in darkness departs1 and darkness1 and his name shall its name in that darkness is be covered with darkness4 concealed2 ,,it has not seen light2 ,,he has not known rest2 #e ,moreover he hath not seen the one is no better than the the sun1 nor known any thing3 other4 this hath more rest than the other4 7#d1 #e47 ,for in vanity he comes1 and in darkness he goes1 and in darkness 7repeated1 equivalent1 therefore1 to #8in that darkness'7 his name is covered2 moreover the sun not seen 7which is the lot of the abortion71 and not knowing rest 7the lot of the person here spoken of71 to this there is no more than that4 ,the ,masorets1 however1 by their accentuation1 show that they understood the verse somewhat differently4 ,they render1 #8a sun he does not see and does not know2 the rest of this is more than that2' but this rendering is obscure and clumsy1 and makes the words #8does not know' superfluous1 besides interrupting the argument4 ,the ,,lxx4 render verbatim3 1 which is clear enough with the ,hebrew before us1 but is quite unintelligible without it1 hence the text has been attempted to be amended in various ways 7see ,stier and ,theile's ,polyglot74 #f ,yea1 though he live a ,suppose he had even lived a thousand years twice told1 thousand years twice over1 and yet hath he seen no good3 do seen no good in them1 does he not all go to one place8 not arrive at altogether the same result as abortion8 7#f47 ,and if 7this particle occurs ,esther vii4 #d only1 equivalent to 1 but common in later ,hebrew and ,chaldee4 ,it is one of those words from which many critics infer a late date to this book2 but is it not used for the sake of the alliteration with below87 he lived a thousand years twice told1 and goodness not seen 7as there is no nominative expressed1 these verbs are in the nature of impersonals1 and express the fact generally71 is it not to a place which is the same 7literally #8one'7 the whole 7i4e4 the totality of such persons7 is going8 #g ,all the labour of man is ,all the toil of humanity is for his mouth1 and yet the for the gratification of appetite is not filled4 appetite1 and yet the desires are never satisfied4 ,hebrew soul4 7#g47 ,every toil of the man 7i4e4 humanity7 is to his mouth 7remembering the meaning of 1 the sense is clear2 the anxiety of men is directed to their mouths1 to satisfy physical or moral hunger71 and besides the soul 7i4e4 the self1 the ego1 as metaphysicians write7 is not filled 7i4e4 satisfied1 or fills itself74 #h ,for what hath the wise ,what profit then is there to more than the fool8 what hath the wise above the befooled8 the poor1 that knoweth to walk simply that which it is to a before the living8 man in distress to maintain himself in the presence of the living4 7#h47 ,for what is profiting to the wise beyond the befooled8 what 7repeated1 #8even what'7 to the poor 7but #8poor' in the sense of oppressed or unfortunate7 made to know to walk in the presence of the living ones8 ,we must notice1 in explaining this very obscure passage1 that 1 being with the article1 must be looked upon as denoting lives generally2 moreover has the meaning of #8in the presence of1' #8amongst1' #8in the midst of4' ,thus the advantage1 or that which is really profitable to the wise1 is to know how to walk1 proceed1 or act2 to know which way to go in the presence of the living2 in what way1 therefore1 to direct himself through life and amongst its pleasures and difficulties1 so as to make no mistakes as the befooled does4 ,thus we obtain a connected sense4 ,the anxiety is for enjoyment1 but satisfaction is impossible4 ,what1 then1 is the advantage or profit of wisdom1 in the sense of knowing what is best to do under a given set of circumstances8 and what advantage gives it over the man who is dissatisfied equally1 but does not know this8 ,the answer is1 ,just the same as to a man in distress1 who can manage to live4 ,existence itself is the struggle for life2 but the wise rise to the top1 and the fools sink4 #i ,better is the sight of ,good is a sight with one's eyes the eyes than the wandering above a longing for one knows of the desire3 this is also not what3 another instance this vanity and vexation of spirit4 of evanescence and vexation of spirit4 ,hebrew walking of the soul4 7#i47 ,good is the seeing of the eyes above the walking the soul 7but the participle is singular1 and eyes are plural1 hence #8better is a sight with the eye than1' etc4 ,but may not there be this equivoke8 might be a participle also1 and then the whole would read thus1 #8,a real good1 the seeing of the eye1 the wandering of the soul'74 ,moreover1 this is vanity and vexation of spirit 7this clause being in this case the answer to the above4 ,so curt and enigmatical a sentence was no doubt in some way intended to be equivocal74 #aj ,that which hath been is ,what then is that which named already1 and it is known will be8 ,the present state that it is man3 neither may of things1 called by its true he contend with him that is name1 and known what it really mightier than he4 is,old ,adam1 unable to obtain a decision in a cause with a ,power superior to himself4 7#aj47 ,what is that which will be8 ,the present 7compare chapter i4 #aj1 references7 is called its name 7to be called by its name is of course equivalent to our #8accurately described'71 and it is known 7subjectively7 what it is 7emphatic71 even man 7but here without the article1 an #8instance' then of #8an ,adam' or human person71 and not able to decide with the mightier than he 7emphatic1 1 ,psalms l4 #d1 ,isaiah iii4 #ac2 this the ,authorized ,version renders rightly #8to contend with1' because has the meaning of #8judge' in the sense of #8decide in a court of justice4' occurs ,job xiv4 #bj1 xv4 #bd1 and chapter iv4 #ab1 and as an adjective in the hiphil form here only4 ,the ,masorets notice that the is superfluous2 but this could only have been because they did not see1 as the ,,lxx4 did who add the article 1 #8the strong'1 that it means #8the strong one' generically2 #8what is stronger1' as we say1 or1 noticing the hiphil form1 #8what is made stronger1' and which is clearly man's destiny1 decided by an overruling providence which he cannot escape74 8xvi0 replaced with 8xv0 #aa ,seeing there be many ,for there are numberless things that increase vanity1 reasons1 and they only what is man the better8 increase the demonstration of evanescence1 and that there could be no profit to humanity4 7#aa47 ,for there exist words 7reasonings1 in the technical use of the word in this book7 the much 7i4e4 to the full7 multiplying vanity1 what is the profiting to humanity8 ,the meaning seems to be that there could be adduced a still greater number of reasons1 all of which would show that human life was evanescent2 but what is the profit1 or use1 of stating them to humanity1 or bringing them forward8 and as naturally refers to 1 the nearest nominative1 it must be taken as a distributive singular2 so that this interpretation is the simplest the grammar of the passage admits4 #ab ,for who knoweth what is ,for no one can tell what is good for man in this life1 a real good to mankind in any all the days of his vain life life3 that life being a number which he spendeth as a shadow8 of evanescent days1 which for who can tell a man what he spends as a shadow1 and shall be after him under the of which no one can tell to sun8 any man what shall result to himin this hot work-day ,hebrew the number of the world4 days of the life of his vanity4 7#ab47 ,for 7another additional reason7 who knows what is a good to man in his lives 71 followed by plural1 #8lives1' in any life1 therefore71 the number of the days of his life 7i4e4 as he passes the days of that life71 his vanity 7that evanescent life of his71 and he makes them as a shadow 7the ,,lxx4 render 1 but this may be ad sensum only1 not because they read differently7 which 7full relative1 because the whole idea is referred to1 it may be best rendered #8because'7 who 7repeated1 and so giving emphasis7 tells to man what shall be after him 7i4e4 what shall succeed him7 under the sun4 ,the limitation is necessary1 and especially here1 as this passage closes the argument thus far4 ,what is to follow is in the nature of detached and paradoxical aphorisms1 illustrating these truths3 they are some of these many arguments demonstrating human evanescence and transitoriness1 but stated less formally than heretofore4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,section ,,iv4 continued4 ,providential ,paradoxes leading up to the conclusion1 ,fear ,god4 ,a ,,good name is better than 7#a47 ,,good is a name1 7#b47 good precious ointment2 and the day more than spikenard's fame2 and of death than the day of one's a deathday is better than one's birth4 birthday4 ,,vii4 7#a47 ,good is a name1 above ointment good 7there is an alliteration here which gives great pungency to the sentence4 ,the ,masorets commence this paragraph with a large letter4 ,the ,jews have discovered many mysteries in these letters1 but here1 perhaps1 it is sufficient reason to allege that a new division of the subject begins72 and the day 7but without the article7 of the death above the day of his birth 7equivalent to one's birth1 for there is no nominative expressed4 ,some have remarked that the second clause being connected by a conjunction with the first1 is to be looked upon as containing a consequence of the fact stated in the first2 which is quite true if not pressed too far4 ,possibly the idea might be presented thus ,all the ointment's costly fame ,is not so good as a good name1 ,and thus it comes that dead saints die ,in odour of sweet sanctity74 #b ,it is better to go to 7#c47 ,good is it to go to the the house of mourning1 than to house of mourning1 rather than go to the house of feasting3 to go to the house of feasting2 for that is the end of all because therein is the end men2 and the living will lay of every human thing1 and the it to his heart4 living should lay it to his heart4 7#b47 ,good is it to go to the house of mourning1 more than to go to the house of feasting1 in which 7full relative7 is 7emphatic7 the end of all the man 7the end of all humanity generally3 every real biography is a tragedy and ends with a death71 and the living one will give it to his heart4 #c ,sorrow is better than 7#d47 ,good is disappointment laughter3 for by the sadness above laughter2 for by spoiling of the countenance the heart the features the heart is is made better4 improved4 ,or1 anger4 7#c47 ,good is vexation 7the vexation of disappointmentsee chapter i4 #ah1 references7 above laughter2 for in the evil 7concrete1 and therefore an evil or distortion7 of the faces 7plural1 but is so generally1 as the face is double7 is bettered 7a pe4 jud verb1 with double jud7 the heart4 ,i think the equivoke here is1 #8the worse one looks1 the better one gets4' #d ,the heart of the wise is ,that heart of the wise which is in the house of mourning2 but in the house of the mourning1 the heart of fools is in the when the heart of the befooled house of mirth4 is in the house of mirth4 7#d47 ,the heart of wise ones 7as #8heart' is repeated again1 it gives the idea of #8that heart' spoken of before4 ,this1 however1 as occurring in a new clause containing a fresh sentiment1 must not be pressed too far7 is in the house of mourning1 and the heart of befooled ones in the house of rejoicing4 ,this aphorism is very suggestive3 the heart of the wise is improved in the house of sadness2 fools1 or rather befooled ones1 who are mistaken with their own joy1 are improved in the house of feasting1 but it is an improvement in evil4 ,this equivoke the rendering of the ,,lxx4 preserves4 #e ,it is better to hear the 7#e47 ,good is it to hear the rebuke of the wise1 than for a rebuke of the wise1 more than man to hear the song of fools4 that any should hear the song of the befooled4 7#e47 ,good is it to hear the rebuke of a wise one 7 occurs in this book here only1 but at ,proverbs xiii4 #a1 #h1 xvii4 #aj71 above a man 7i4e4 any one7 hearing a song of befooled ones 7the hiphil form is here especially to be noticed1 #8many befooled ones sing2' as ,jeremy ,taylor says1 #8,we commonly enter singing into the snare4' ,ginsburg would amend this passage by relegating the to the first clause2 but this is to miss the point1 which is1 that #8it is better to listen to a wise rebuking1 than for any one to hear the song of the befooled'74 #f ,for as the crackling of ,for as the crackling of thorns under a pot1 so is thorns under a pot1 so is the the laughter of the fool3 cackling of the befooledand this also is vanity4 besides1 it is evanescent4 ,hebrew sound4 7#f47 ,for as the voice of the thorns under the pot 7there is both alliteration and equivoke here1 the root having the meaning1 #8to turn aside1' #8be crooked1' etc41 and 1 #8displeased1' #a ,kings xx4 #dc1 xxi4 #d7 so 7the word #8so' is somewhat emphatic1 as standing alone7 a laugh of the befooled 7generic71 also this is vanity 7i4e4 an instance of evanescence74 #g ,surely oppression maketh ,yet affliction makes false a a wise man mad2 and a gift wise man's hope1 and destroys destroyeth the heart4 the heart of his purpose4 7#g47 ,for the oppression 7generic1 #8the affliction of life'7 makes mad 7poel future1 occurs ,job xii4 #g1 ,isaiah xlii4 #e2 compare also chapter ii4 #b1 which we have seen is the madness of false expectation7 a wise man 7hence the meaning must be1 that the oppressions or afflictions of life put out the calculations of the wise1 and make their expectation false7 and destroys with respect to the heart 7 1 therefore emphatic2 hence the ,,lxx4 render 1 and the meaning is1 that affliction compare chapter iv4 #a not only makes his expectations false1 but disappoints his desires2 which clearly1 with the advantages of sorrow stated above1 it ought not to do to a wise man7 of his purpose4 7,following the ,,lxx41 who derive the word from the root 1 which exists in the ,arabic1 and also in the ,syriacsee ,bernstein1 s4 v41 7 ,syriac word7 #8moratus est1' #8tardus fuit2' #8that which is purposed or appointed' would be quite a natural meaning1 for not only has the meaning #8to give1' but also #8to settle or appoint4' ,if we render with the ,authorized ,version #8gift1' we introduce an idea altogether new and strange1 while with the rendering supported by the ,,lxx4 and unpointed text1 the aphorism connects itself with what went before and follows after47 #h ,better is the end of 7#f47 ,yet good is the end a thing than the beginning of a matter1 and more than its thereof3 and the patient in beginning4 spirit is better than the proud in spirit4 7#g47 ,and good is the long-suffering soul above the high swelling spirit4 7#h47 ,good is the end of a matter 7in its technical sense of a reasoning7 above its beginning2 good is a long spirit above a high spirit 7this is equivocal2 #8long-suffering is better than high mindedness' will render the equivoke4 ,thus1 then1 it appears that these aphorisms are all closely related to one another1 or1 at any rate1 hang on the same thread of argument4 ,the existence of oppression makes the wise man mad by reason of disappointed hopes1 and destroys his purpose2 but he must wait to see the end1 and be patient4 #8,good' has occurred in seven paradoxical relations1 having the appearance of evil4 ,the same strain is continued in the following1 but the argument is somewhat different74 #i ,be not hasty in thy spirit ,do not be in haste to be to be angry3 for anger resteth disappointed2 for disappointment in the bosom of fools4 nestles in the bosom of the befooled4 7#i47 ,do not hasten in thy spirit to be angered 7by disappointment71 for anger in the bosom of befooled ones rests4 #aj ,say not thou1 ,what is ,do not say either1 ,how was it the cause that the former that former days were so good days were better than these8 as compared with these8 because for thou dost not inquire it is not wisdom which prompts wisely concerning this4 you to inquire in this way4 ,hebrew out of wisdom4 7#aj47 ,do not say 71 the particle of prohibition being repeated1 this second is equivalent to #8neither say'7 what was 7how was it7 that the days 7with the article1 and therefore generic71 the former ones 7again generic1 in strict apposition7 were good ones beyond these 7the whole construction of the sentence shows that the ,laudator temporis acti is here specially reprehended71 because not from wisdom 7i4e4 the wisdom of such an inquiry is here negatived7 thou askest 7 is to ask in the sense of wishing to have,exodus iii4 #bb7 upon 7or about7 this4 #aa ,wisdom is good with ,as good is wisdom as an an inheritance3 and by it inheritance1 and something there is profit to them that more1 to those who see the see the sun4 sunshine2 ,or1 as good as an inheritance1 yea1 better too4 7#aa47 ,a good is wisdom 7the two nouns both abstracts or in strict agreement7 together with an inheritance1 and a profitable thing 71 which the ,masorets point as a participle1 not 1 which would give a different idea1 i4e4 a #8profit generally1' which1 in the sense of this book1 wisdom is not always1 for it fails1 through unforeseen accidents1 of always attaining its end1 and sometimes perishes like folly2 but with an inheritance1 wisdom to know how to use it is always a real advantage in some way even in this life1 and hence the qualification7 to those that see the sun 7generic1 as a sun which is light and warmth indeed1 but also glare and heat74 #ab ,for wisdom is a for the shelter of wisdom is defence1 and money is a just as the shelter of money3 defence3 but the excellency of but the profit of knowledge knowledge is1 that wisdom is1 the wisdom that enables its giveth life to them that have possessor to live4 it4 ,hebrew shadow4 7#ab47 ,for in shadow of the wisdom is in shadow of the silver4 7,the sentence1 whichever way we take it1 is enigmatical1 as indeed the form shows4 ,the ,,lxx4 render ad sensum1 #8,because in her shadow1 wisdom is as the shadow of silver1' but very probably not because they read differently1 this rendering merely gives the equivoke2 for the literal meaning of the sentence1 as it stands in the text1 is1 #8,because in the shadow of wisdom generically1 is the same as to be in the shadow of money4' ,the idea of shadow arises naturally from that of sunshine1 spoken of above2 for we must remember that in the ,east1 shadow is always desired1 and it is to the natives of southern ,europe and ,asia the symbol of pleasant refreshment4 ,shadow and sun are cognate ideassee ,psalms xci4 #a1 ,isaiah xxxii4 #b4 ,again1 the root has the meaning to desire earnestlysee ,job xiv4 #ae1 ,psalms xvii4 #ab2 hence the further play upon the words47 ,and a profit of a knowledge of the wisdom8 7generic1 this special wisdom1 but the passage might also be rendered1 and a #8profit of knowledge1 it is wisdom which1' etc47 it enlivens its possessor4 7,the ,masorets1 by accenting with zakeph1 separate it from what follows1 and so render as above4 ,thus the meaning is#8and there is this advantage in the knowledge of wisdom1 it makes its possessor live1' or gives him life3 but not absolutely so2 this appears from what follows47 #ac ,consider the work of ,consider then1 with regard ,god3 for who can make that to the working of the ,almighty1 straight1 which he hath made that none is able to explain crooked8 with regard to what ,he has made complex4 7#ac47 ,see 7as the verb stands first1 this is the emphatic word in the sentence1 equivalent1 therefore1 to #8observe1 however'7 with respect to the working of the ,deity1 for who is enabled to set in order 7occurs chapters i4 #ae1 xii4 #i only1 and is a word peculiar to ,ecclesiastes2 it is used in the technical sense of #8resolve1' or #8account for1' a providential mystery7 with respect to that which 7the ,,lxx4 give the force of this here by the rendering 7 ,he hath involved it8 71 in hithpael1 occurs ,job xix4 #f1 chapters i4 #ae1 and xii4 #c4 ,the cognate occurs nearly as often1 and with the same signification1 which is the exact opposite of 1 #8to involve1' #8make complex4' #8,who can resolve that with respect to which ,he has determined that it shall be involved8' is the precise meaning given by the suffix to the verb47 #ad ,in the day of prosperity ,in the day then of good1 be joyful1 but in the day of accept the good2 in the day adversity consider3 ,god also of distress1 discern3 for the hath set the one over against one indeed hath the ,almighty the other1 to the end that man appointed as the counterpart should find nothing after him4 of the other1 for the very purpose that ,humanity should ,hebrew made4 by no means be able to discover anything of what is to result4 7#ad47 ,in a day of good 71 the abstract here having the meaning of #8prosperity'7 be in good 7which the ,,lxx4 render1 #8live in good1' and as the root is repeated1 we must render1 that good71 and in a day of 7with the meaning1 #8and in a time also of'7 evil 7abstract as above7 see 7emphatic1 not only from the alliteration of and 1 but from its being the same word at the end as at the beginning1 verse #ac74 ,moreover1 with respect to this1 to the counterpart 71 see chapter v4 #af 7#ae71 where this word is discussed7 of that makes 7i4e4 so works7 the ,deity1 for the reason 7 occurs chapters iii4 #ah1 vii4 #ad1 viii4 #b1 and in the same sense #8to the intent that'7 he might not 7contract relative1 with the negative1 and involving its usual subjunctive meaning7 find even humanity1 his future 7i4e4 that which comes after him or succeeds1 whether this be due to his own labour or otherwise7 anything 7which is reserved to the end of the sentence1 and is equivalent to #8anything at all4' ,thus1 then1 the transition to the next clause is quite manifest4 ,it follows of course that this uncertainty as to the result applies even in the case of virtue and vice3 this1 therefore1 is the topic next discussed74 #ae ,all things have ,i seen ,with regard to the whole of in the days of my vanity3 life1 then1 ,i have observed there is a just man that during the days of my perisheth in his righteousness1 evanescent existence that and there is a wicked man there may be a just man who that prolongeth his life in perishes by reason of his his wickedness4 justice1 and there may be an impious man who prolongs his existence by his wrong4 7#ae47 ,with regard to the whole 7with and the article1 #8with regard to the whole of life' is therefore the meaning1 as so often in this booksee chapter i4 #b7 ,i have observed in the days of my vanity 7with the idea1 therefore1 #8so far as my short experience goes'7 that there is 7a person or thing7 made right1 yet perishing in his righteousness1 and that there is 7as is repeated it becomes emphatic1 and thus we must render #8there also is'7 an impious caused to be prolonging 7himself7 in his mischief 7i4e4 the hiphil participle gives the idea that this prolongation of life by evil means1 or the like1 is due to the wickedness itself3 it is again the problem of successful impiety2 for the word compare ,exodus xx4 #ab74 #af ,be not righteous over ,do not be then righteous to much2 neither make thyself excess1 or make thyself wise over wise3 why shouldest thou too confidently3 why shouldest destroy thyself8 thou be grievously disappointed8 ,hebrew be desolate4 7#af47 ,do not be made right too much1 and do not 7repeated1 #8do not also'7 make thyself wise 7the hithpael occurs only ,exodus i4 #aj1 and has a sinister meaning4 ,pharaoh's policy with the children of ,israel was for the time dealing wisely1 but also a #8prolonging in wickedness'7 to excess 7#8or over and above what is reasonable1' expecting a #8profit1' 1 from it1 in that sense in which this word is used in this book74 ,wherefore shouldest thou be desolated8 7but the hithpolel occurs ,psalms cxliii4 #d1 ,isaiah lix4 #af1 lxii4 #e1 ,daniel viii4 #bg1 and in all cases with the idea of #8consternation' at an unexpected and afflictive occurrence4 ,thus the meaning must be1 #8that this righteousness overmuch1 and wisdom beyond what is reasonable1 will disappoint4' ,we must not then1 in the days of our vanity1 expect too much from right actions2 they may to all appearance prove as disastrous as the most impious could be4 ,in the same way impiety1 that is1 high-handed and presumptuous rebellion against right1 may succeed so well that it may cause a prolongation of itself2 the very word is sarcastic1 as pointing to an end of wrong at last4 ,the inference naturally seems to be,if this be so1 what is the use of doing right at all8 but a deeply sarcastic refutation is given to this thought in the succeeding clause74 #ag ,be not over much wicked1 but then1 do not be wicked to neither be thou foolish3 why excess either1 and by no means shouldest thou die before thy become a clever fool3 why time8 shouldest thou die when it is not thy time8 ,hebrew not in thy time4 7#ag47 ,do not be impious to excess1 and do not be 7the quadruple repetition of the particle of prohibition gives emphasis to it1 especially at the close of the sentence7#a47 ,do not be over right1 and 7#b47 do not be over wise either1 7#c47 nor impious either1 nor 7#d47 still less either a clever fool1 are the four stages of the argument2 the emphatic is reserved to the last clause here in this member2 in the former clause it stands first1 giving it thus a still further sarcastic emphasis1 something like our #8whatever you are do not be'7 an elaborate fool 71 compare chapters ii4 #ai1 x4 #c1 #ad2 and see the meaning of this term discussed there4 ,this wickedness then1 it seems1 is wise folly1 or false prudence74 ,wherefore shouldest thou die in what is not your time8 ,the sarcasm is surely deep and cutting which1 covertly reminding the impious that he has yet to die1 advises him not to die before his time4 #ah ,it is good that thou ,it is good that thou shouldest shouldest take hold of this2 lay hold of the former2 yea1 also from this withdraw moreover1 of the latter1 by no not thine hand3 for he that means let your hand touch it1 feareth ,god shall come forth for he that fears ,god comes out of them all4 safely with regard to all of these4 7#ah47 ,good it is that 7full relative1 referring to both the following clauses7 thou layest hold of this1 and1 moreover1 from that do not withhold with respect to thine hand 7the root occurs chapters ii4 #ah1 x4 #d1 xi4 #f2 see also ,genesis ii4 #ae1 xix4 #af1 etc4the precise meaning being1 in all these cases1 #8to lay up4' ,the ,,lxx4 translate this word by 1 #8defile2' and hence consider the word to refer to the second clause of the verse above2 but it may be doubted1 as ,schleusner points out1 whether the rendering of the ,,lxx4 is not a misreading of ,symmachus' 1 which was successively altered to and 1 so that with this before us we may well reject their reading as not entitled to disturb our confidence in the ,hebrew text2 observing also that it is 1 i4e4 do not rest1 or do not lay it up1 with respect to thy hand2 the conclusion is1 do not touch either the wickedness or the false prudence4 ,the rendering of the ,authorized ,version is ambiguous2 it is not clear what the second #8this' refers to1 but evidently admits of the meaning above4 ,the whole drift then of the aphorism is1 #8lay hold of right notwithstanding1 and have nothing to do with wickedness'74 ,for he who fears ,god goes out of 7or #8gets free from1' as follows7 with respect to all of them 7i4e4 the whole four difficulties here mentioned2 he will neither be over-expectant of an immediate result from his righteousness1 nor of his prudence2 on the other hand1 he will not be either impious1 or an elaborate fool74 #ai ,wisdom strengtheneth ,this wisdom is a better the wise more than ten mighty defence to the wise than ten men which are in the city4 powerful men within a fortress4 7#ai47 ,the wisdom 7wisdom generically7 strengthens 7a play between above and here7 to the wise more than ten persons who have been invested with power who are 7emphatic7 in a city4 ,powerful men in a city are hard to overcome1 or get at2 ten1 the indefinite number1 gives the idea of #8ever so many4' #bj ,for there is not a just ,however1 there is no single man upon earth1 that doeth man on earth so right that he good1 and sinneth not4 always does good1 and never makes a wicked mistake4 7#bj47 ,for a man 7a man1 as a specimen of the race1 which we have already seen is the meaning of this word standing alone without the article7 there is not 7for we have in this case 1 and not 2 thus the meaning is1 #8there is not a single man'7 made right in the earth who does good and does not sin 7i4e4 #8make wicked mistakes3' hence1 as no man is perfectly right1 it would be unreasonable to expect a perfect result2 thus the relevancy of verse #ag is apparent4 ,if our right acts do not always succeed1 it is but just1 considering the many sins we all commit74 #ba ,also take no heed unto ,besides1 to all those arguments all words that are spoken2 by which men direct themselves1 lest thou hear thy servant do not give much heed1 just as curse thee3 thou hadst better not listen to thy servant when he curses thee2 ,hebrew give not thy heart4 7#ba47 ,moreover 7an additional reason71 to all the words 71 in the usual sense1 and very emphatic as followed by the corresponding verb7 which they speak 7reason about7 do not give thine heart 7because they are not worth thinking about3 the reason follows71 which 7repeated1 equivalent to #8they are such that'7 not dost thou hear 7#8as thou wouldest not listen to if'7 with respect to thy servant he was cursing thee4 #bb ,for oftentimes also thine because thou knowest that own heart knoweth that thou besides1 times out of mind thyself likewise hast cursed thyself also hast cursedsome others4 one else4 7#bb47 ,for moreover1 times many knows 7but the ,,lxx4 read 1 1 #8afflicts1' that is1 the servant does so4 ,symmachus also reads 1 supporting the ,,lxx42 the ,syriac1 on the other hand1 reads as the ,hebrew4 ,if1 therefore1 was the real reading1 the change took place in ancient times7 thy heart 7which is nominative to 7 which 7the third repetition of the relative2 it ought therefore to be taken in the meaning of #8and this1'7 also thou 7which is emphatic if we follow the ,masorets1 who point in which apparently they are supported by both the ,,lxx4 and ,symmachus7 hast cursed others4 ,were it not for this suspicious there would be no reason at all to disturb the present ,hebrew text4 ,nor1 probably1 is the evidence strong against it1 unless indeed it should turn out1 on further investigation and discovery1 that when the version of the ,,lxx4 was made1 there was a greater difference between the letters and than there is now4 ,if the reading of the ,,lxx4 were right1 the following was the meaning of the passage3#8,moreover1 to all the words which they speak they being supposed to refer to the wicked1 hence the explanatory gloss of ,b1 1 do not give thine heart1'which amounts to this#8thou wouldest not hear 7or listen to7 with respect to thy servant cursing thee1 because many times he vexes thy heart1 which amounts to this also in regard that thou hast cursed others4' ,the innuendo being that our reasonings with regard to ,god's dealings with ourselves are like the rash improper speeches of a grumbling servant4 ,it must be confessed that the expression1 1 literally1 #8which also with respect to thou hast cursed1' is unprecedentedly harsh and elliptical1 even for ,koheleth4 ,but to alter the textand the ,masoretic punctuation is here a virtual alteration of the textis to interpret an imaginary document1 and not the one which exists before our eyes4 ,the ,masorets1 however1 with their customary cautionand in this respect they are a brilliant example to some modern criticswould not add a single letter1 on mere conjecture only1 however plausible4 #bc ,all this have ,i proved ,all this have ,i explored by by wisdom3 ,i said1 ,i will be means of wisdom4 ,i said1 ,i wise2 but it was far from me4 shall be wise enough1 but what may be is altogether beyond #bd ,that which is far off1 me6 beyond me how far8 a double and exceeding deep1 who can depth6 how could any find it8 find it out8 7#bc1 #bd47 ,all this 7the ,masorets point feminine1 equivalent to neuter7 have ,i tried with wisdom2 ,i said ,i will be wise 7with paragogic1 and ,taylor in his note observes that this form is optative1 and expresses a strong desire ,lange1 ,commmentary on ,old ,testament1 ,american edition2 might it not with truth be said that it is the abstract idea of which the verb is the concrete1 #8,i shall be wisdomed'871 but that was far from me 7but notice again 1 agreeing no doubt with understood1 but not the less an abstract on that account3 it was farness or distance itself from me#8beyond my reach' is the meaning71 a distant thing1 what is it which it will be 7that is1 that he could not reach by wisdom to discern what the future might be71 and deep1 deep 7#8doubly deep1' very emphatic71 who will find it out8 7as these questions expect the answer1 ,no1 they are equivalent to #8a distant thing6 is not it1 the future1 indeed8 and a vast depth which none can discover4'7 ,this concludes this part of the discourse1 as is evident from the formula1 #8,i turned round1 ,i and my heart1' with which the following passage begins2 that which is to succeed is a personal experience of another kind4 #be ,i applied mine heart ,to come to another point then1 to know1 and to search1 and in my own experience of to seek out wisdom1 and the knowledge and investigation3 ,i reason of things1 and to mean the discovery of wise and know the wickedness of folly1 prudent experiments by which even of foolishness and one may recognise wickedness madness3 as folly1 and false-prudence as mad disappointment4 ,hebrew ,i and my heart compassed4 7#be47 ,i turned round 7to do something1 as this formula always implies71 ,i and my heart 7for we have here a confession7 to know and to investigate 7that is in order to know1 etc41 the prepositions being repeated7 and seek 7without a preposition2 the distinction seems to be that the seeking is to be the consequence of the above investigation7 wisdom and device 7 is exclusively a ,koheleth word1 and occurs verse #bg1 ix4 #aj1 only1 it is thus not easy to determine its precise meaning1 but it is probably1 as ,moses ,stuart points out1 the opposite of 2 and if so1 it will be something reasonable1 in the sense of wise or well-formed and successful plan1 as its opposite is an ill-formed and disappointing one2 thus occurs only here1 verse #bi1 and #b ,chronicles xxvi4 #ae1 where it is used to denote ,asa's engines of waris evidently #8efficient contrivances4' ,to know wisdom and a device1 then1 in this sense1 is #8wisdom how to obtain a reasonable or proper result2 and1 on the other hand1 to discover the opposite4' ,with this accords what follows71 and to know 7as this is repeated it is equivalent to1 and so to know7 wickedness 7as7 folly 7the only instance of the occurrence of this form in ,ecclesiastescompare ,job viii4 #ad1 xxxi4 #bd1 where we find that #8expectation' is the meaning1 though not necessarily in a bad sense1 yet clearly so here4 ,the ,,lxx4 render which ,e4 ,x4 alter to 1 #8the folly of a wicked person'7 and the false wisdom 7plural form in with the article7 follies 71 as we have seen1 compare chapter i4 #ag1 of the disappointing kind4 ,the ,,lxx4 render here 1 #8trouble1' and 1 #8madness1' with #8and1' which is so far wrong1 as there is no conjunction in the original4 ,the meaning of this passage it is no doubt difficult to discover1 but if we are right in the above analysis the interpretation must be as follows3 #8,i turned myself round1 ,i and my heart7or1 my own personal experience7 to know and to investigate1 and so seek1 wisdom and well-formed plans3 and so to recognise a wicked folly2 and a series of falsely-wise acts1 which were disappointing follies4' ,the punctuation represents the accents1 the larger distinctive accents being represented by the longer pauses4 ,the ,syriac reads 7 ,syriac phrase71 #8to know the wickedness of the fool1 and folly and adultery1' which coincides with the above2 a reason for the peculiar rendering #8adultery' will appear presently74 #bf ,and ,i find more bitter ,now1 ,i have made a discovery1 than death the woman1 whose and that more bitter than heart is snares and nets1 death2 it is with respect and her hands as bands3 to woman1 when she is in the whoso pleaseth ,god shall nature of an ensnarer1 her escape from her2 but the affection seductions1 and her sinner shall be taken by her4 hands bondage4 ,a real good in the sight of the ,almighty is it ,hebrew ,he that is good to be delivered from her1 but before ,god4 the erring sinner is taken by such as she4 7#bf47 ,and finding 7a participle written full1 giving a peculiar emphasis to this word7 am ,i a bitterness above death with respect to the woman 7 with the article1 which the ,,lxx4 note by 1 as usual2 thus #8woman' is generic1 hence the precise idea seems to be #8and a discovery of mine more bitter than deathis with respect to woman2' and1 again1 this follows the accentuation1 which makes a pause at #8death1'7 who 7but the relative is full1 and so refers back to the whole clause1 #8when she'7 is snares 7masculine plural1 and hence distributive1 #8in the nature of an ensnarer' then1 see ,proverbs xii4 #ab1 chapter ix4 #ad1 where this form alone in the feminine occurs1 chapter ix4 #ab1 ,isaiah xxix4 #g1 ,ezekiel xix4 #i1 and with shurek at ,job xix4 #f2 there is a slight difference in meaning in these forms7 and allurements 7the root is to destroy1 and the noun signifies #8a cursed thing' as often as a #8net2' see ,deuteronomy vii4 #bf1 ,joshua vi4 #ag7 her heart 7singular following plural2 her heart then is in the nature of things which allure to destruction1 a whole armoury of them1 as it were1 in her love7 and bonds her hands 7or #8powers'72 good in the sight of ,divine providence 7#8a real good is it in the sight of ,divine providence' is the meaning7 is deliverance from her 7emphatic71 but the erring one 7a full participle1 which the ,,lxx4 note7 is taken by her 7emphatic74 #bg ,behold1 this have ,i ,observe1 this have ,i found1 saith the ,preacher1 discovered1 and this is counting one by one1 to what the ,preacher announces1 find out the account3 one after another1 so as to find out a wise experiment2 #bh ,which yet my soul but which ,i have longed for seeketh1 but ,i find not3 one without discovering3 one man among a thousand have ,i single specimen of ,humanity in found2 but a woman among all a thousand ,i discovered2 but those have ,i not found4 a woman in all these ,i did not discover4 ,or1 weighing one thing after another to find out the reason4 7#bg1 #bh47 ,observe this1 have ,i found the speech of ,koheleth 7it is usually said that is a feminine agreeing with 1 but was a king1 and so certainly masculine4 ,it has been proposed to write 1 but this is another instance of the attempt to cut the knot by altering the text1 besides in that case ,koheleth would be generic4 ,we must therefore fall back upon the usual meaning of feminines as the abstract of the masculines4 ,now1 is #8to say1' to #8announce1' and therefore the abstract will be #8the announcement2' this abstract1 however1 stands by itself1 and is not joined closely to 1 as in that case it would have been 4 ,attending then to these principles of grammar1 the meaning will be1 #8observe this1 ,i have found it1 and announce it as ,koheleth1' an additional proof that here we have a personal experience of ,koheleth's7 one to one to find a wise result1 7that is collecting instance after instance1 or trying one method after another so as to find the wise result1 in contrast to the disappointing folly mentioned above7 which yet seeks my soul1 and has not found 7the #8not' is emphatic1 and denies that he has discovered it3 experimental science did no more for him than moral72 a man 72 we should have anticipated from the context1 but includes both sexes1 so that we have a sarcastic equivoke7 a single one from a thousand have ,i found1 but a woman in all these have ,i not found 7that is1 that he could come to no general conclusion2 only in his experience he had met with one man but not with one woman1 the allusion being evidently to his thousand wives and concubines4 ,from this individual history we are allowed to make our own conclusions4 ,in the case of ,solomon1 it was his numerous wives which turned away his heart4 ,he had apparently one or two male friends1 such as ,zadoc and ,nathan1 that he could trust4 ,the word #8found' occurs seven times in its different formsit is all he could discover74 #bi ,lo1 this only have ,i ,only observe1 this ,i have found1 that ,god hath made man discovered1 namely1 that the upright2 but they have sought ,almighty has with respect to out many inventions4 humanity done what is correct1 but they have sought out machinations without number4 7#bi47 ,only 7which standing first is emphatic3 #8,this alone is a real discovery1 or a safe induction from my numerous trials'7 observe1 this have ,i discovered1 which is that he has made even the ,deity with respect to the man 7i4e4 #8has done in regard to man1' the ,,lxx4 notice this by 7 right 7or #8correct1' see #a ,samuel vi4 #ab1 ,proverbs xi4 #c71 but they 7plural following singular#8every one of them'7 seek devices 7plural abstract1 and as it is used evidently in a sinister sense1 we may translate #8machinations'7 many 7masculine1 notwithstanding the feminine plural1 i4e4 not many in the abstract1 #8but many a one'all kinds of sinister plans to evade ,god's right order1 of which ,solomon's harem was a signal instance4 ,he would have had more real enjoyment had he obeyed the rule at ,genesis ii4 #bd1 which assigns one man to one woman1 and the spirit of that at ,leviticus xxi4 #a1 which enjoins a ,hebrew woman4 ,this harem of strange women was at once ,solomon's most elaborate folly1 bitterest disappointment1 and saddest fall3 it was an experiment in search of happiness1 running counter to ,god's just and right commands1 and proved a most miserable failure2 and the only conclusion which could be drawn from it was1 that ,god's way is invariably the best4 ,the connexion with the following will be best understood if we consider it a reflection on his own failure74 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,who is as the wise man8 ,,ah1 then1 who is really wise1 and who knoweth the and who knows how to solve the interpretation of a thing8 a enigma of this matter8 that man's wisdom maketh his face wisdom of humanity which to shine1 and the boldness of enlightens his face1 for the his face shall be changed4 haughty face is detestable4 ,hebrew the strength4 ,,viii4 7#a47 ,who is as the wise8 7the ,,lxx41 rendering ad sensum1 translate 1 #8who knows wise men or things8' which ,e4 and ,x4 alter to 1 #8wisdom4' #8,who is as the wise8' or1 as stands first1 #8ah1 who is really wise8' ,there is a double meaning herea lamentation over his own failure1 and a natural reflection on the superior wisdom of the ,wise ,one1 or1 as we should write1 the ,omniscient7 and who 7#8and who too'7 knows a solution 7 occurs ,daniel ii4 #d1 #e1 #f1 etc41 but in that prophet only1 and is used to signify the interpretation of ,nebuchadnezzar's dream1 hence ,,lxx4 7 of a reason3 7who then is so wise that he knows how to solve the matter1 or give it its true interpretation8 ,the answer follows7 that wisdom of a man enlightens 7but as follows 1 it rises into importance1 #8that wisdom of a man which enlightens'7 his countenance 7there is a manifest allusion here to ,proverbs xvi4 #ae1 and the meaning of #8enlightens his face' is1 #8gives him favour or satisfaction'71 but the strength of his face 7which has the meaning of sternness or wilfulness1 see ,deuteronomy xxvii4 #ej7 is hated 7the ,masorets propose the alteration from to 2 but this was because they did not understand the context2 the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8but a man of shameless countenance will be hated1' and also the ,syriac1 but strictly is impersonal1 #8one hates4' ,the meaning then1 read in the light of ,proverbs xvi4 #ae1 evidently is1 that obstinacy is that which a king hates1 and of course a fortiori the ,divine ,king74 8,,vii40 replaced with 8,,viii40 80 replaced with 80 #b ,i counsel thee to keep ,as for me1 a royal word observe1 the king's commandment1 and and upon reasoning about the that in regard of the oath ,divine decree1 do not hasten4 of ,god4 7#b47 ,i 7emphatic1 none of the ancient versions take any notice of this emphatic pronoun1 a reason for which will appear presently7 the mouth of a king 7not the king1 thus the literal meaning is1 #8,i1 a king's word'7 keep it 7the explanation is to be found in the equivocal use of the word #8king1' which has an undertone of reference to the ,great ,king3 compare also chapter ii4 #ab1 and observe how excellently a word of counsel suits the passage4 ,the meaning therefore is1 ,i will give you a royal word to keep1 or guard71 and upon reasoning 7 1 see chapter iii4 #ah1 and with the same meaning #8upon the reasonings about1' the ,masorets put a strong distinctive accent on 1 thus separating it from the following words1 but this was because they did not see the exact meaning7 the oath of ,god 7see ,deuteronomy vii4 #h1 ,jeremiah xi4 #e2 the oath of ,god then is that which ,god has determined on1 and we are especially to regard this1 and take care that we use no hasty words or expressions about it74 #c ,be not hasty to go out ,from ,his presence canst thou go8 of his sight3 stand not in ,do not rest on any evil word1 an evil thing2 for he doeth for all that ,his providence whatsoever pleaseth him4 ordains ,he does2 7#c47 ,do not hasten 7this the ,,lxx4 and ,syriac join on to the preceding verse1 against the accentuation of the ,masorets1 and this makes better sense7 from his face thou shalt go 7but as #8face' is the emphatic word1 it is clear that the clause is in the nature of a question1 or rather with a note of admiration1 i4e4 #8,from his face are you going6'71 do not stand 7#8abide1' or #8stay'7 in a reason which is an evil one for all he provides 71 the verb1 of which is the root1 and which invariably means #8,divine providence' in this book7 he does 7he always acts1 therefore1 according to the pleasure of his ,divine providence74 #d ,where the word of a king in ,whose royal word is is1 there is power3 and authority1 and who dare say to who may say unto him1 ,what ,him1 ,what doest ,thou8 doest thou8 7#d47 ,in whom 7or #8in which1' for it refers back to the whole idea of ,god's providence7 the matter of a king is powerful 7i4e4 a power1 #8matter1' as usual being taken in its technical sense of the matter reasoned about and the matter itself4 ,the ,,lxx4 invert the order of the wordsa very unusual proceeding with them3 it is1 however1 to be observed that ,b4 omits 1 the word out of place71 and who shall say to him1 ,what doest thou8 #e ,whoso keepeth the ,whoso keeps the commandment commandment shall feel no will not know a reason which evil thing3 and a wise man's leads to wrong4 ,for a wise heart discerneth both time and heart does know that there is judgment4 a time and a judgment2 ,hebrew shall know4 7#e47 ,one keeping the command 7a participle1 that which is commanded7 does not know a matter 7as above7 which is evil1 and time and judgment knows 7repeated2 thus the exact meaning is1 #8but time and judgment'7 the heart of a wise man 7#8does know'74 #f ,because to every purpose because to every providence there is time and judgment1 there is a time and a judgment2 therefore the misery of man because also1 the wrong of is great upon him4 ,humanity is great upon him2 7#f47 ,for to every providence there is a time and a judgment 7that is1 a proper season for its occurrence1 and a time when it will be shown to be in the economy of providence71 for the wrong of man 7generic1 with the article7 is much upon him 7the ,,lxx4 here read 1 #8knowledge1' 2 ,symmachus and the ,syriac read as the ,hebrew4 ,on the whole1 however1 it appears that the text is fully entitled to stand undisturbed1 as it makes better sense1 and1 supposing an error in the ,,lxx41 it might so readily occur from a misreading of letters so much alike as and 4 ,the older forms1 however1 of these two letters were not so much alike1 as is shown by the ,moabite stone1 and hence caution is required in coming to a judgment2 but further1 has already been used in a bad sense1 see chapter i4 #ah74 #g ,for he knoweth not that and because1 he is not one who which shall be3 for who can knows what may be2 and because1 tell him when it shall be8 how it will be1 none can tell him4 7#g47 ,for he is not knowing 7that is1 man is not a creature that knows7 what will be 7contract relative with the verb73 for how it will be1 who can tell him8 7the particle is introduced four times1 and each introduces an additional reason strengthening what went before4 ,thus the wise heart will not know a matter which is badwill not allow1 that is1 that in its nature it is so1 and he does know that there is an appointed time and judgment which will set all right4 ,first1 because to every providence whatever there is such a time and judgment2 secondly1 because there is so much evil amongst mankind1 which of course needs rectification1 and will have it1 see chapter iii4 #ae2 and because he cannot tell what will be1 and so right may be discovered and providence vindicated in the future2 and lastly1 because as none can predict the result of any event1 so he is an imperfect judge concerning it4 ,this impotence of man is further set forth in what follows74 #h ,there is no man that ,no man has power over the hath power over the spirit spirit to restrain the spirit2 to retain the spirit2 neither and there is no powerfulness in hath he power in the day the day of death2 and there is of death3 and there is no no putting off the weapons in discharge in that war2 that warfare3 but by no means neither shall wickedness will ,impiety deliver those deliver those that are given that resort to it4 to it4 ,or1 casting off weapons4 7#h47 ,there is nothing in 7that is1 ,there is not a single7 man caused to have power 7,,lxx4 7 with the spirit 7the ,,lxx4 render with 1 #8in'7 to the restraint of 7#a ,samuel vi4 #aj2 ,jeremiah xxxii4 #c;is used of restraint in prison7 with respect to the spirit 7 with the article1 and the noun repeated1 making it exceedingly emphatic1 which the ,,lxx4 note by their customary 3 #8to have any restraint with respect to that same spirit' is the meaning7 and there is no power 7that is1 #8power to rule or direct'7 in the day of death1 and there is no discharge 7occurs ,psalms lxxviii4 #di7 in the warfare1 and not delivers 7this standing first is emphatic2 it is equivalent to #8but this does not deliver'7 even impiety in respect of its lord 7or1 as our idiom would put it1 #8but impiety will not deliver those who resort to it'74 #i ,all this have ,i seen1 and ,with respect to all this ,i applied my heart unto every have observed1 with regard to work that is done under the all the works which are done sun3 there is a time wherein in this work-day worldand one man ruleth over another to greatly am ,i impressed by ita his own hurt4 time when humanity has a power over itself to injure itself4 7#i47 ,with respect to all this ,i have seen1 7i4e4 #8observed'71 and setting myself 7infinitive absolute4 ,zckler says the infinitive absolute with copula prefixed indicates an action contemporaneous with the main verb2 hence the ,,lxx4 render 444 71 with respect to my heart1 to all the working which 7full relative7 is done 7niphal7 under the sun1 the time which 7the ,,lxx4 apparently take no notice of 1 but render as if they had read 2 but if we take as in apposition to 1 and notice that is repeated1 we shall see that the sense is #8,i mean with regard to that time when1' etc47 rules 7or has power7 the man 7mankind generally7 by a man to an injury to him 7not exactly with the meaning of one man injuring another1 but rather1 that when humanity has any power over itself in the person of other men1 it uses this power to injury for the most part1 an instance of which follows74 #aj ,and so ,i saw the wicked ,and on this wise3 ,i have seen buried1 who had come and gone the wicked honourably buried1 from the place of the holy1 who used to come and go from and they were forgotten in the the place of the holy1 and were city where they had so done3 praised in the city where they this is also vanity4 had done this3 an instance this of the evanescent4 7#aj47 ,and in this wise 71 occurs only ,esther iv4 #af1 in the sense of #8in this way'7 ,i have observed wicked ones 7not the wicked1 but continually instances of the impiously wicked7 sepulchres 7the ,masorets point with kubbutz1 the pual participle1 the only other instance of which occurs #a ,kings xiii4 #ca2 but there the participle is full3 we cannot therefore accept the ,masoretic pointing as authoritative2 it really amounts to an alteration of the unpointed text4 ,the ,,lxx4 considered a noun plural1 accusative to 1 and translate 1 #8carried into the tombs'7 and they entered 7,i would seek an explanation of the difficulty here in the occurrence of this conjunction #8and1' of which a similar instance is found at chapter ii4 #ae1 #8so they entered a place 444 and they are going1' etc42 i4e4 #8did this as a habit'7 and from a place of the hallowed one 7participle7 they go4 7,the rendering of the ,,lxx4 is easily explained2 they translate as they do1 because we have a past tense joined with a present1 thus giving the meaning of imperfects4 ,as the wicked could not be said to go after death into the sepulchre1 they rendered by a passive1 #8were taken1' or because they wished it to be made plain that it was not a mere entering and departing1 but that the wicked were buried1 i4e4 honoured1 in their graves74 ,and they were forgotten in the city in which 7full relative1 because it does not refer closely to the city only2 they were forgotten1 not as regards that particular city1 but as a general proposition7 thus they did 7but twenty ,,mss4 and all the ancient versions1 except the ,syriac1 in place of 1 #8were forgotten1' read 1 #8praised1' which not only makes better sense1 but accounts for the hithpael with its reflexive signification4 ,symmachus reads1 #8,and when they had gone round in the holy place1 they returned1 being praised in the city where they had so done' 4,see ,field's ,hexapla1 p4 #cif4 ,he also gives the explanatory gloss1 1 #8as those who had done well4' ,hence1 then1 on the whole1 we should prefer to take in substance the ,,lxx4's rendering1 and look upon this as setting forth a salient example of successful hypocrisy4 ,after all1 the forced renderings of certain critics are in effect alterations of the text1 or yield no sense at all4 ,the remark7 ,this also is vanity 7equivalent to #8this then is besides1 an instance of evanescence or transitoriness1' is very striking and appropriate at this point1 as also what succeeds74 8kibbutz0 replaced with 8kubbutz0 8paul0 replaced with 8pual0 80 replaced with 80 #aa ,because sentence against ,it amounts to this1 however3 an evil work is not executed there is no speedy execution of speedily1 therefore the heart sentence for doing evil1 and so of the sons of men is fully the heart of the human race is set in them to do evil4 thus encouraged in them to do that evil2 7#aa47 ,which 7standing at the beginning of a period is emphatic1 and thus the subject of the whole4 #8,it amounts to this' would render it well7 there is nothing done as a sentence 7occurs ,esther i4 #bj7 of doing the evil speedily1 therefore full is the heart of the sons of man in them to the doing of an evil 7that is1 #8,it amounts to this1 there is nothing inflicted as a penalty of doing the evil i4e4 evil generally speedily2 on that account filled is the heart of men within them in order to do that evil1 the word evil being repeated'74 #ab ,though a sinner do which1 however1 is a wicked evil an hundred times1 and mistake merely because there his days be prolonged1 yet is time and a prolongation of surely ,i know that it shall impunity2 for ,i am perfectly be well with them that fear assured that it must be ,god1 which fear before him3 well with those who fear the ,almighty1 7#ab47 ,which 7repeated at the beginning of a clause1 equivalent therefore to #8,and it also amounts to this'7 a sinning 71 which the ,masorets point as a participle1 and the ,,lxx4 confirm1 rendering by a verb7 doing an evil a hundred 7so stands the text at present1 but it clearly was not so in the text which the ancient versions used1 all of which read differently1 except the ,syriac1 which follows the ,hebrew4 ,the ,,lxx4 read either or 4 ,symmachus1 ,aquila1 and ,theodotion read 4 ,jerome remarks the difficulty2 and the ,syriac ,hexapla shows that the text needed emendation at an early time4 ,we believe the ,,lxx4 have preserved the right reading2 moreover1 that they took as a noun in the sense of #8prolongation1' like 1 #8a prisoner1' ,genesis xxxix4 #bj1 #bb2 1 #8a little1' ,job xxxvi4 #b1 ,isaiah xxviii4 #aj and #ac2 for is not a participle hiphil1 but is really the substantive with 4 ,when1 however1 this word was taken as a hiphil1 became unintelligible1 and was altered by conjecture to 1 or 2 hence the meaning is not7 caused to be prolonged 7as it stands in the text1 but rather #8and from the prolongation'7 to him3 7emphatic1 hence the sense of the passage is1 noticing the repetition of the 1 and the fact that also stands at the head of the verse1 #8,and it amounts to this as well3 a wickedly mistaking one does evil from the time and from the prolongation of it to ,,him1' i4e4 #8to the other above cited2' and hence the ,,lxx4 render 1 also referring us back to the hypocritical sinners spoken of above4 ,then follows a reason introduced with7 for in addition 7besides its being a wicked mistake1 a sin which it is always folly to commit7 knowing am ,i 7i4e4 #8,i do know1 notwithstanding appearances'7 this also1 it will be a good to the fearers of ,god who 7but full relative repeated1 and so with the meaning #8because they are those who'7 fear 7emphatic1 with double jud7 before him4 #ac ,but it shall not be well just because they do fear with the wicked1 neither shall before ,him2 and that it cannot he prolong his days1 which be good to the impious man1 and are as a shadow2 because he he will not prolong his days1 feareth not before ,god4 even like a shadow1 because he is not one who fears before ,god4 7#ac47 ,and good 7repeated1 #8but good'7 it will not be to an impious person 7or act7 and he will not cause to prolong days as a shadow 7he does not prolong his days2 they are prolonged indeed sometimes by ,divine providence in ,his inscrutable decrees1 and they are as a shadow1a very impressive figure3 the lengthened shadow of the old sinner's years so soon to end in darkness absolute7 which 7full relative1 in this equivalent to #8because that'7 he is not a fearer before ,god4 #ad ,there is a vanity which ,there is an instance of is done upon the earth2 that evanescence which occurs upon there be just men1 unto whom earth1 and it is this3 that it happeneth according to the there are righteous persons to work of the wicked2 again1 whom it results as if they had there be wicked men1 to whom acted like the impious2 and1 it happeneth according to the on the other hand1 there are work of the righteous3 ,i said impious persons to whom it may that this also is vanity4 happen as though they had acted like the righteous4 ,so this1 said ,i1 is another instance of the transitory6 7#ad47 ,there exists a vanity done 7i4e4 which occurs or happens to men7 under the sun 7the ,,lxx4 render by a perfect1 71 which is1 that there exists righteous 7full relative7 which 7persons or acts7 it reaches 7hiphil participle1 ,genesis xxviii4 #ab7 to them 7emphatic7 according to the doing of the wicked ones1 7generic2 they attain the same ends as the wicked ones do1 in this world at least1 for #8under the sun' is put in as a qualifying clause71 and there are wicked ones which it reaches 7here we have the contract relative instead of the full one above4 ,so accurate a writer as ,koheleth could hardly have done this without reason4 ,we have already noticed the subjunctive sense the contract relative gives to the verb it joinspossibly he intends a limitation2 it is an occurrence which sometimes happens1 the rule however is after all the other way7 to them according to the working of the righteous ones1 ,i said which also 7see chapter i4 #ag1 ii4 #ae1 the only other two instances in which this combination occurs2 it clearly gives an interrogatory force1 with a tone of surprise7 is vanity8 #ae ,then ,i commended mirth1 ,then ,i1 for my part1 expressed because a man hath no better a preference with regard to thing under the sun1 than to enjoyment1 because there is eat1 and to drink1 and to be no real good to a man in this merry3 for that shall abide work-day world1 except to eat1 with him of his labour the and drink1 and be delighted1 days of his life1 which ,god and that same conjoined with giveth him under the sun4 his toil during the days of his life2 and because also it is appointed to him of the ,almighty in this work-day world4 7#ae47 ,and ,i praised1 ,i myself1 with respect to 7which the ,,lxx4 note by adverbial7 the gladness 7which is both generic and abstract1 #8,i came1 that is1 to a strong conclusion as to the value of present happiness'71 because there is no good to a man under the sun1 except to eat1 and to drink1 and to rejoice1 and that 7emphatic7 to abide with him in 7or by means of7 his toil during the days of his life 7i4e4 no other real good except this gratification immediately arising from the toil7 which is a gift to him 7emphatic7 of ,divine ,providence 7and so not the result of his labour1 but a mercy for which he ought to thank ,god7 under the sun 7which is in this case reserved to the end of the sentence1 and indeed the period1 for the next clause is a summing up74 #af ,when ,i applied mine ,whence it results1 that having heart to know wisdom1 and to set my heart to know wisdom1 see the business that is done and to observe with regard to upon the earth3 7for also the uncertainty which is there is that neither day suffered upon earth 7for indeed1 nor night seeth sleep with his by day and by night also1 rest eyes37 does no human eye behold7 7#af47 ,as then ,i have given with respect to my heart 7with 7 to the knowledge of wisdom1 and to the appearances 72 this infinitive with is peculiar to ,ecclesiastesoccurs chapters iii4 #ah1 v4 #ag1 and here2 see the peculiar shade of meaning given by the conjunction7 with respect to the anxiety 7see chapter i4 #ac2 generic with 1 of which1 however1 the ,,lxx4 take no special notice7 which is done on earth 7but we must write #8endured upon earth' to express the meaning1 which amounts to this1 #8,as1 then1 ,i have given my heart to the knowledge of wisdom1 i4e4 a scientific knowledge1 with regard to the spectacle of that anxious uncertainty which is suffered on the earth'71 for also by day and by night sleep 7the ,masorets with great taste put #8sleep' in a clausule by itself7 with his eyes he is not seeing 7i4e4 this uncertainty is incessant74 #ag ,then ,i beheld all the so ,i perceive1 with respect to work of ,god1 that a man cannot the whole working of the find out the work that is done ,almighty1 how impossible is it under the sun3 because though for humanity to discover the a man labour to seek it out1 working out of anything with yet he shall not find it2 respect to what is done within yea farther1 though a wise this work-day world4 ,yet it is man think to know it1 yet on account of this that man shall he not be able to find toils1 that he may seek it it4 out1 but he does not discover it3 and if he thinks wisdom will enable him to know it1 it is not sufficient for the discovery either4 7#ag47 ,and ,i saw 7so ,i saw1 the apodosis of the above7 with respect to all the working of ,divine providence1 how that is not able 7not is emphatic7 humanity to the finding out of 7#8or a discovery' of7 with regard to 7the ,,lxx4 again write 7 the work 7generic7 which is done 7or suffered1 or endured1 as being a niphal7 under the sun1 because of 7 occurs ,jonah i4 #g only7 which toils humanity in order to seek it1 and does not find it2 and also if he says the wisdom 7i4e4 wisdom generically7 to know it 7#8that wisdom is given him to know it'7 he is not able 7or rather not enabled7 to find it4 in this place is no doubt used to express a new idea1 #8for this1' or #8which cause4' ,the object of man's toil1 i4e4 the object he has in his labour1 is to find out some method by which he may rectify what appears wrong in the course of ,god's providence3 in the strict sense of the term this is impossible4 ,the principle which pervades ,koheleth's reasoning is1 that enjoyment1 as such1 is ,god's gift1 and that toil is useless4 ,labour1 however1 which is distinguished from toil1 is to be done in the fear of ,god1 and the result left to his providence4 ,the argument which is to follow further enforces this4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,for all this ,i considered ,,for with respect to all this1 in my heart even to declare ,i have laid to my heart that all this1 that the righteous1 which is to be deduced from it and the wise1 and their works1 all1 which is1 that right and are in the hand of ,god3 no wisdom1 and any service they man knoweth either love or can render1 are in the hand of hatred by all that is the ,almighty1 and whether an before them4 event be an indication of ,his love or displeasure either1 no ,hebrew ,i gave or set man knows from anything he sees to my heart4 before him1 ,,ix4 7#a47 ,for with respect to all this1 ,i have given it to 71 not 1 which the ,,lxx4 render by 7 my heart1 and to sift out 7occurs here only1 but compare chapter iii4 #ah7 with respect to all this 7but the ,,lxx41 dividing the words differently1 evidently read 1 which would mean1 #8when that heart was seeing all this4' ,the number of various readingssee ,stier and ,theile1 ,polyglotshow that this passage was early one of difficulty4 ,the rendering of ,symmachus1 preserved by ,jerome1 #8omnia ita statui fort4 in corde meo ut ventilarem universa1' conveys the meaning2 which is1 that ,koheleth set to his heart that which is the result when the matter is entirely sifted7 which is the righteous and the wise 7generic and plural1 all those things which are right or wise generally2 #8right and wisdom1' as we speak1 is the meaning7 and their works 7i4e4 what they produce1 or1 better still1 their #8services'7 are in the hand of the ,deity1 also love 7in the abstract71 also hatred 7also abstract1 and being repeated gives the idea of both love and hatred too7 is nothing1 knowing the man 7the negative belongs to the noun1 not to the verb1 and so the meaning must be #8there is no man who does know4' ,moreover1 the two nominatives absolute1 #8love' and #8hatred1' are the subjects of the whole sentence1 #8as to love or hatred either1 there is no man who knows1' or1 better still1 #8to whom is made known1' giving the import to the participle7 the whole 7generic7 before them 7distributive plural1 any of them1 equivalent then #8to anything which is before them'74 #b ,all things come alike evanescence being that which to all3 there is one event belongs to all4 ,that which to the righteous1 and to the happens is just the same to wicked2 to the good1 and to the right and to the wrong1 to the clean1 and to the unclean2 good and to bad1 ,,lxx41 and to him that sacrificeth1 and to clean and to unclean1 and to him that sacrificeth not3 to the sacrificer as to one as is the good1 so is who never sacrifices2 as the the sinner2 and he that good1 so the erring sinner1 sweareth1 as he that feareth the forsworn as though he had an oath4 feared the oath4 7#b47 ,the whole 7but all the ancient versions read here 1 #8vanity1' and this makes better sense2 the error1 for such we believe it to be1 in the ,masoretic text1 was one so likely to occur1 that1 considering the strong weight of testimony in favour of the ,,lxx41 and the far better sense it makes with the context1 we may well adopt it4 ,as an additional reason for following the ,,lxx41 we notice that the ,syriac reads 7 ,syriac phrase7 #8all that is before him is vanity1 all just as that which is to all1' combining1 therefore1 both readings together4 ,thus it appears that the variation in the texts was a very ancient one4 ,if this reading be adopted1 then combining it with the words which follow7 as 7or like this same7 to all 7the meaning will be #8transitoriness is exactly the same to all1' or #8all alike are equally transitory4' ,if1 however1 we retain the ,masoretic text and pointing1 a good sense is made4 #8,the whole is as it were to all1' namely7 a happening which is one to the righteous1 and to the impious1 to the good 7the ,,lxx4 add here to the bad71 to the clean1 and to the unclean1 to the sacrificer1 and to one who has not sacrificed2 as is the good so the sinner 7but general1 including things as well as persons71 the forsworn as one who an oath fears4 #c ,this is an evil among ,this evil is in all which is all things that are done performed in this work-day under the sun1 that there is world3 that there is but one one event unto all3 yea1 also event to all1 and so the heart the heart of the sons of men of the human race overflows is full of evil1 and madness with wrong1 and foolish is in their heart while they anticipations are in their live1 and after that they go inmost hearts while they live1 to the dead4 and what succeedsit belongs to the dead4 7#c47 ,this wrong is in all which is done 7niphal1 and therefore objective2 men both do and suffer as though this were so7 under the sun1 how a happening which is one 7i4e4 the same7 to all 7the force of this reasoning is made apparent by what follows1 as there is no visible reward to these righteous persons as compared with the wicked1 wicked men presume72 and moreover1 the heart of the sons of ,adam is full of 7#8overflows with' would represent the idea7 evil1 and false expectations 7 occurs chapter i4 #agsee references2 the meaning deduced exactly suits this passage2 it is the false hope begotten of an evil action1 a crime worse than a blunder1 to invert a celebrated aphorism7 in their hearts 7 is #8the inmost heart'see ,concordance1 sub voce1 for the shade of difference between and 71 in their lives1 and their future 7i4e4 what comes afterwards7 belongs to 7the preposition is 1 which the ,,lxx4 note1 and render by 7 the dead 7generic1 with the article74 #d ,for to him that is ,for whoever he may be1 joined to all the living there he chooses altogether as is hope3 for a living dog is regarding the living1 this better than a dead lion4 being his anticipation3 for to a dog alive it is indeed better than the lion when he is dead4 7#d47 ,for whoever 7interrogative pronoun followed by 1 compare ,exodus xxxii4 #cc2 it has here the sense1 #8,for whoever he be'7 chooses 7the ,kri reads #8is joined to1' which the ,,lxx41 ,syriac1 ,targum1 and ,symmachus all have2 but this and the pointing as a pual is merely a ,masoretic conjecture3 it would be better with the ,,lxx4 to take it in an active sense1 1 #8participates4' ,the ,chetib is perfectly intelligible1 however1 and is to be preferred7 towards 71 as in verse #c7 all 7but is without the article2 hence it has the meaning1 the #8whole of'7 the lives 7with the article1 and hence generic1 #8lives generally4' ,thus the meaning is1 #8,for whoever he be1 he is one who chooses entirely with relation to the living'71 it is 71 it exists as such7 an expectation 71 occurs #b ,kings xviii4 #ai1 and its parallel ,isaiah xxxvi4 #d besides this place only1 in the meaning of a #8confidence' or #8expectation1' and this meaning gives excellent sense here3 #8is his expectation that he will live3' no man makes plans on the supposition that he is going to die2 he may indeed provide for others after he is dead1 but the horizon of his own hopes is necessarily bounded by his life74 ,for 7an additional reason confirming the above7 to a dog alive it is 7emphatic7 good above the lion 7with the article1 because this is generic2 it is not a lion1 but lion qualities generally71 the dead 7again generic1 for the same reason#8a live dog is better than the lion when he is dead1' is the exact turn of thought74 #e ,for the living know that ,yet the living are quite aware they shall die3 but the dead that they shall die2 but the know not any thing1 neither dead are not aware of anything2 have they any more a reward2 and they can have no further for the memory of them is recompense1 because a forgotten forgotten4 thing is their memorial3 7#e47 ,for the living ones are knowing that they will die 7this is an additional reason to the above1 and so may be rendered1 #8but the living are certain that they will die#871 but the dead 7plural1 with the article1 #8the dead persons generally'7 are not those who are knowing anything 7it is not here1 be it observed1 the existence of knowledge on the part of the dead which is denied1 but that1 from the author's point of view1 the dead are persons who do not know anything3 an unevangelic sense has been given to this passage by not attending to this distinction71 and there is nothing further to them 7emphatic7 which is a hire 7or a reward in this life accruing to them as a recompense for their toil71 because forgotten 7niphal in its usual objective sense7 is their remembrance4 #f ,also their love1 and their and then their love and their hatred1 and their envy1 is now hatred also1 and their envy as perished2 neither have they well1 as far as this ,present any more a portion for ever in is concerned1 are perished2 any thing that is done under and there is no further the sun4 participation for them in the age1 in anything that may be done within this work-day world4 7#f47 ,moreover their love1 moreover their hatred1 moreover their envy 7the triple repetition of brings this word into prominence1 equivalent to #8their love also2 yes1 their hatred and envy too'7 in this present 71 see chapter i4 #aj1 references2 the word occurs again in its technical sense of the #8present state of things1' and makes excellent sense here71 perish 7abstract #8is a thing perished'7 in all which 7full relative7 is done under the sun4 ,on this follows the most touching piece of sarcasm in the whole work4 ,there is a force and pungency about it which is very striking4 #g ,go thy way1 eat thy ,go then1 eat thy bread with bread with joy1 and drink thy gladness1 and drink in good wine with a merry heart2 for heart thy wine1 if in the ,god now accepteth thy works4 present the ,almighty prospers thy works4 7#g47 ,go1 eat 7i4e4 enjoy7 in pleasure thy bread1 and drink in heart of good thy wine2 for so in the present hath prospered the ,deity thy workings4 #h ,let thy garments be always ,at every opportunity let thy white2 and let thy head lack garments be white1 and the oil no ointment4 to thy head do not spare4 7#h47 ,in all season 71 a providential seasonsee chapter iii4 #a1 #ai7 let them be 7even7 thy garments white 7it is hardly possible here1 when we remember the constant use in ,scripture of white garments1 not to discover one of those hidden allusions with which this book abounds to a pure as alone a happy life2 the garments of the sensualist and drunkard are1 in the emphatic language of the apostle1 #8spotted with the flesh'71 and oil 7see chapter vii4 #a1 as the symbol of luxury and wealth7 on thy head do not spare 7chapter iv4 #h2 #8do not stint' or #8save it as for another time1' is the meaning3 #8use it when you have the occasion'74 #i ,live joyfully with the ,enjoy life with that woman wife whom thou lovest all the whom thou lovest1 all the days days of the life of thy vanity1 of thy evanescent life1 which which he hath given thee under ,he grants thee in this hot the sun1 all the days of thy work-day world1all these vanity3 for that is thy evanescent days1 ,i say1 for portion in this life1 and in that is all thou canst thy labour which thou takest possess in thy life1 and from under the sun4 that toil thyself art toiling ever in this same work-day ,hebrew ,see or enjoy world4 life4 7#i47 ,see lives together with the woman which thou lovest 7it is to be remarked here that ,koheleth speaks of a woman in the singular2 the idea thus implied is cognate with that of the white garments1 it is pure domestic love7 all the days of the lives of thy vanity 7i4e4 thy evanescent life7 which ,he gives to thee 7the nominative is no doubt the ,deity2 but as this nominative is so far off1 the verb becomes almost an impersonal7 under the sun all the days of thy vanity 7repeated72 for that same is thy portion in lives in thy toil which thou 7emphatic7 toilest at under the sun 7repeated1 and therefore having the meaning1 #8under that same sun1' the whole being thus strictly limited to the horizon of this world74 #aj ,whatsoever thy hand ,all that thy hand finds to do1 findeth to do1 do it with to the utmost do it1 because thy might2 for there is there is no work1 nor device1 no work1 nor device1 nor nor wisdom1 nor knowledge in knowledge1 nor wisdom1 in the the grave1 and that is whither grave1 whither thou goest4 thou art hastening4 7#aj47 ,all which shall find thy hand in order to do 7that is1 everything which it is in thy power to perform in regard of the above71 in thy might do it1 because there is nothing of a work1 or a contrivance1 or a knowledge1 or a wisdom 7all these being without the article1 and singular7 in ,sheol1 which 7is the #8place1' or #8end1' etc42 for we have in ,english to supply some general word here7 thou 7emphatic7 art going unto 7the meaning is1 #8and that is whither thou art going unto'74 #aa ,i returned1 and saw ,but to return1 ,i perceived under the sun1 that the race how in this work-day world that is not to the swift1 nor the not to the swift ones is the battle to the strong1 neither race1 nor to the strong ones yet bread to the wise1 nor yet the battle1 nor even to wise riches to men of understanding1 ones bread1 nor yet to prudent nor yet favour to men of skill2 ones wealth1 nor yet to the but time and chance happeneth instructed ones favour4 ,for to them all4 time and chance happens with regard to them all4 7#aa47 ,i turned1 and see under the sun 7#8see' is rightly joined by the accents to the word which follows it2 it is1 as this formula of introduction shows1 another aspect of the same truth as that set forth above7 how not to swift is the race 71 occurs here only71 and not to mighty ones the war1 and also not to wise ones bread1 and also not to prudent ones 7occurs ,genesis xli4 #cc of ,joseph1 and #a ,kings iii4 #ab of ,solomon7 an increase1 and not to knowing ones a favour3 7these three nouns1 #8bread1' etc41 are singular and without the article1 the other two are with it71 for time 7the providential season1 that is7 and chance 7occurs #a ,kings v4 #d as a noun only2 the meaning of the verb1 which occurs frequently1 is1 #8to meet1' #8to approach'7 happens with respect to 71 which the ,,lxx4 notice by making the verb compound1 7 all4 #ab ,for man also knoweth not ,for so also ,humanity knows not his time3 as the fishes that its time1 but just like fishes are taken in an evil net1 and which have been caught in a as the birds that are caught net1 or birds held fast in a in the snare2 so are the snare1 just like them the sons sons of men snared in an evil of men are ensnared in some time1 when it falleth suddenly evil time1 as it falls upon upon them4 themsuddenly4 7#ab47 ,for also not knows 7it is the verb which is here negatived7 the man 7humanity7 his time 7with 1 which the ,,lxx4 note by the article71 as fishes which may be caught 7contract relative and plural niphal7 in a net1 the evil one 7an evil net71 and like also birds when caught in a snare 7notice the difference between 1 which is niphal participle plural1 occurs ,genesis xxii4 #ac1 and 1 pual participle1 #8the fishes are caught1 the birds are held'72 like them are ensnared 71 see ,deuteronomy vii4 #be7 the sons of the ,adam to a time 7which is7 evil1 as when it falls upon them suddenly4 7,it would result from this reasoning that wisdom is of no use at all2 but in order to meet this objection1 ,koheleth cites an instance where it was of great value47 #ac ,this wisdom have ,i seen ,nevertheless1 ,i have observed also under the sun1 and it the following instance of seemed great unto me3 wisdom in this work-day world1 and which appeared to me of great moment4 7#ac47 ,moreover1 this ,i have seen 7i4e4 an instance of7 a wisdom under the sun 7i4e4 in this world1 where wisdom avails so little71 and great 7but the noun is an abstract1 #8of great value' or importance1 #8a really great thing'7 is it with regard to me 7,,lxx41 1 i4e4 he considered that1 notwithstanding the observation above1 he ought to take it as of considerable account2 here was an unexpected deliverance1 by means of wisdom1 from one of those snares1 1 spoken of above74 #ad ,there was a little ,there was a little city1 and city1 and few men within it2 the men therein were a few2 and and there came a great king there came a great king against against it1 and besieged it1 it1 and invested it1 and built and built great bulwarks a net-work of fortifications against it3 around it4 7#ad47 ,a city small1 and the men 71 #8weak men'7 in it 7emphatic1 #8in that same'7 a few1 and there came against it a king 7who was7 great1 and he surrounded it1 and built over against it networks very great ones2 #ae ,now there was found in it ,now there was found therein a poor wise man1 and he by his a poor wise working man1 and wisdom delivered the city2 yet he it was who saved the city no man remembered that same by his wisdom2 yet men did poor man4 not remember that same person because he was a poor working man4 7#ae47 and was found in it 7again emphatic7 a man 71 the rest are 7 poor 7chapter iv4 #ac1 and here only1 1 ,,lxx4 4 ,the meaning of is that kind of poverty which seeks its food by labour1 and differs from 1 which signifies a mendicant4 ,fuerst gives the derivation1 1 of the root1 which would imply such a meaning as the ,,lxx4 have71 wise 7there is no copula between these two qualifying words4 ,it is not a poor and wise man1 but a man economically wisewho could make his wisdom go a long way71 and saved 7even7 he 7the turn of meaning is1 that the safety of the city was found in himself1 as the embodiment of wisdom7 the city 7with emphatic1 which the ,,lxx4 notice by the rendering1 7 in his wisdom2 and a man 7not exactly #8humanity1' which we have seen would require the article1 but #8man' as representing the individuals generally7 did not remember 7the verb follows the nominative71 with respect to that man 71 with the article1 which the ,,lxx4 notice by 1 with a genitive6 but in reality the genitive is governed by the verb1 being adverbial71 the poor one1 even that same4 7,the shade of meaning given by the article is1 that mankind1 as a rule1 do not adequately remember1 and so neither reward1 wisdom when associated with poverty4 #8,the poor inventor and his sorrows1' have passed into a proverb47 #af ,then said ,i1 ,wisdom ,yet ,i should say myself that is better than strength3 wisdom was a real good1 and nevertheless the poor man's better than strength1 yet the wisdom is despised1 and his wisdom of the poor working man words are not heard4 is despised1 and his words just those which are not listened to4 7#af47 ,then said ,i 7in opposition to #8man1' above71 good is wisdom above might2 and the wisdom of the poor 7with the article7 is despised1 and his words 7or reasonings1 used still in the technical sense common to this book7 are those which are not listened to4 #ag ,the words of wise men ,these words of the wise in are heard in quiet more than a silence are heard3 the cry of him that ruleth among fools4 ,more than the shriek of a ruler with fools4 7#ag47 ,those words 7repeated7 of wise men in rest are heard 7but notice is an ambiguous word1see ,job xxxvi4 #af2 the root is to press down1 and hence the equivoke4 ,these words of the wise man in #8a going down' are those which are heard1 i4e4 in a #8time of pressure1' or in distress2 #8in quiet1' is also a meaning1 and a very good one1 being that which expresses1 without doubt1 the main intent in the passage7 above the cry 7,genesis xviii4 #bj4 ,fuerst considers that is an older form and modern1 yet both are used in ,genesis xviii4 #bj1 #ba1 but the references will be seen to support the idea that is the #8cry of emotion1' while is any #8loud cry2' if so1 there is a special reason why it should be used in this place4 ,again1 might be a participle meaning a #8cry of distress1' thus giving force to the equivoke71 of a ruler with the befooled4 #ah ,wisdom is better than ,a real good is wisdom above weapons of war3 but one sinner weapons of fight3 but a single destroyeth much good4 erring sinner destroys this good very much4 7#ah47 ,a good 7repeated1 so that it corroborates what is found in verse #af7 is wisdom above weapons of an encounter1 and sinning once 7in the sense of making a wicked mistake1 or #8one wicked mistaker1' either person or thing7 destroys good the much4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,dead flies cause the ,,one of a swarm of blow-flies ointment of the apothecary to tainting corrupts the send forth a stinking savour3 confectioner's conserve1 and so doth a little folly him esteemed above reason and above that is in reputation for reputation too is of false wisdom and honour4 prudencejust a little4 ,hebrew ,flies of death4 ,x4 7#a47 ,flies of death 71 occurs ,isaiah vii4 #ah only1 as an emblem of the ,egyptian plague7 cause to stink 7singular1 i4e4 a single blow-fly out of many will do this1 see ,proverbs xiii4 #e for the only other instance of future hiphil71 and cause to belch out 7,psalms lix4 #g1 ,proverbs xv4 #b1 i4e4 with putrefaction7 the oil 7see chapter vii4 #a7 of the apothecary4 ,precious more than wisdom more than honour 7i4e4 and more than honour also71 follies 7but observe 1 elaborate follies or false prudence1 chapter ii4 #c71 a little 7distributive singular1 one out of many such4 ,the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly4' ,the objection to this rendering of the ,,lxx4 is that they displace1 quite contrary to their usual custom1 #8a little1' which comes at the end of the sentence1 a difficulty which ,d4 ,f4 ,x4 palliate by reading #8than the glory of great folly4' ,the ,syriac reads1 #8so a little folly is more weighty than wisdom and great glory4' ,symmachus reads1 1 #8even if a little4' ,on the whole1 however1 and remembering the meaning of 1 which is a perverse or false wisdom1 the text as it stands makes very good sense3 #8,a single blow-fly will corrupt and make ferment the carefully prepared oil of the apothecary2 so more precious than wisdom or honour1 even is a little one out of the many perverse follies1' i4e4 this perverse kind of wisdom will destroy a reputation for intellect and probity1 and that also even when the gain proposed is but a small matter1 and will cause the subject of it to sacrifice prudence and reputation for the sake of some whim which he knows is not worth having74 #b ,a wise man's heart is at ,the heart of the wise man is at his right hand2 but a fool's his right hand1 but the heart heart at his left4 of a foolish one is at his left hand4 7#b47 ,the heart of a wise man is at his right1 but the heart of a foolish one is at his left 7the heart is really at the left side1 but this is the natural heart4 ,heart is however to be understood not as meaning the understanding1 but moral sentiments1 which is its metaphorical signification in this book74 #c ,yea also1 when he that is ,and also in the way1 like the a fool walketh by the way1 his wise fool he is1 out of heart wisdom faileth him1 and he he walks1 and says to all1 ,what saith to every one that he elaborate folly this is6 is a fool4 ,hebrew his heart4 7#c47 ,and moreover in the way 7which word #8way' is so constantly used in an ethical sense,psalms cxix4 #athat we cannot overlook it here7 like that which is the wise fool's 7the ,masorets notice the article here1 and pronounce it superfluous1 but it is not so2 for the meaning is1 that it is like the perversely wise fool's way generically1 in this7 that as he walks1 his heart 7the third time #8heart' has occurred in this passage1 raising the word into great emphasis and importance71 fails 7the ,authorized ,version considers this to mean a failure in wisdom1 but it is rather a failure of confidence1 which is the ethical meaning of the term #8heart'7 and says 7the nearest nominative is 1 heart1 and so the ,,lxx4 understood1 for they render 1 444 #8that which he thinks of' is folly2 this makes good sense7 to all1 perverse folly it is 7emphatic1 hence the meaning is1 #8he is out of heart altogether1' or #8his heart misgives him2' and it says1 #8what perverse folly it all really is4' ,conscience convicts those clever wicked plans1 and they who devise them know that they are only elaborate mistakes74 #d ,if the spirit of the ruler ,if the spirit of the ruling rise up against thee1 leave one should go forth against not thy place2 for yielding thee1 thy station do not quit1 pacifieth great offences4 because a remedy may cure wicked errors which are great4 7#d47 ,if a spirit of the ruling one 7not1 as usually rendered1 the ruler1 which does not exactly convey the idea7 goes up against thee 7the ,,lxx4 show that they so understood it by rendering 7 thy place do not yield 7the sense of the passage is1 #8,if there be too strong a spirit against you1 if you are sailing1 as it were1 in the teeth of the wind1 do not yield when you have good grounds for remaining3' this makes excellent sense1 is cognate to the accompanying passages1 and follows the ,,lxx47 for a healing 71 occurs ,proverbs xiv4 #cj and xv4 #d only1 the ,,lxx4 read 1 #8a remedy'7 pacifies mistakes 7with the usual idea of culpability attaching to this word7 great ones 7the idea is #8do not yield to mere adverse circumstances when even culpable mistakes admit of a remedy4'7 #e ,there is an evil which ,i ,there exists an evil which ,i have seen under the sun1 as an have observed in this work-day error which proceedeth from world1 like an error which goes the ruler3 forth from before the face of the ,powerful1 ,hebrew from before4 7#e47 ,there exists an evil 7notice abstract with its shade of meaning1 which7 ,i have seen under the sun1 like that which is erroneous 71 see chapter v4 #e 7#f71 #8an inadvertence'71 which goes out 7the verb has the contract-relative joined with it2 the exact idea is that it is like an inadvertence1 such as might go out on the part of the ruler's command1 the great ,ruler being in the mind of the writer1 but the proposition is general7 from the face of the caused to have power 7a #8providential mistake1' then74 #f ,folly is set in great viz41 the setting of false dignity1 and the rich sit in wisdom in high places1 and the low place4 rich sit in low estate4 ,hebrew in great heights4 7#f47 ,set 7that is1 the ruler does this1 but1 as usual1 this is not expressed when the proposition is intended to have a general bearing7 the perverse fool 7generic#8perverse folly' then will be a good rendering7 in high places many a one1 and the rich 7but the hiphil form is worthy of remark1 #8persons that make rich'7 in a low place 7 occurs so punctuated at ,psalms cxxxvi4 #bc only1 rendered #8low estate'7 sit4 #g ,i have seen servants upon ,i have seen serfs on horseback1 horses1 and princes walking as and princes walking like serfs servants upon the earth4 afoot4 7#g47 ,i have observed servants 7slaves1 that is1 who ought to serve7 upon horseback1 and princes walking as servants 7#8ought to do' is no doubt involved in this expression#8servants' repeated being emphatic7 upon the earth 7i4e4 afoot74 #h ,he that diggeth a pit ,one digs a pit1 into that he shall fall into it2 and whoso falls3 or breaks a hedge1 gets breaketh an hedge1 a serpent bitten by a serpent4 shall bite him4 7#h47 ,dig 7not necessarily either a participle or an imperative7 a pitfall 7 occurs here only1 and is said to be a late word2 it occurs in ,arabic and ,syriac4 ,that a #8pitfall' is meant is evident from the context71 in it 7emphatic7 he falls 7a sinister intent in digging this pit is not necessarily implied1 but the context shows that such is primarily aimed at3 this is the more evident when we recollect that is to #8dig1' and #8to bring to confusion'72 and break a wall 7i4e4 an enclosure1 see ,job xix4 #h for the precise meaning of the root1 hence also ,numbers xxii4 #bd71 bites him a serpent 7as we say1 #8gets bitten by a serpent1' which would naturally lurk in loose stone walls74 80 replaced with 80 #i ,whoso removeth stones ,moves stones1 and finds them shall be hurt therewith2 and in his way3 chops wood1 must he that cleaveth wood shall be be careful with it4 endangered thereby4 7#i47 ,cause to move 7hiphil participle of 1 #8bring up'see ,exodus xv4 #bb7 stones1 be troubled 7see ,genesis xlv4 #e7 with them 7emphatic72 cleaving 7poel participle1 occurs ,psalms cxli4 #g2 ,isaiah lxiii4 #ab only7 wood 7plural #8logs of wood'7 be endangered 7this is called a future niphal by the ,masorets1 who so point1 but the real meaning of is evidently to #8take care1' so that the reading of the ,,lxx4 by 1 #8he shall be endangered1' is ad sensumit is literally #8he shall take care1'7 with them 7emphatic1 all these are instances of either unexpected or unintentional results74 8hiphal0 replaced with 8hiphil0 for consistency 80 replaced with 80 #aj ,if the iron be blunt1 and ,if the axe be blunt1 then he do not whet the edge1 then its edge had best be set3 and must he put to more strength3 then if one of the strong hits but wisdom is profitable to prevail1 the skilful hit was direct4 it4 7#aj47 ,if blunt 7occurs ,jeremiah xxxi4 #bi1 #cj1 and ,ezekiel xviii4 #b;in the sense of #8teeth set on edge3' there the ,masorets point as ,kal1 here as piel7 the iron1 and he 7emphatic1 but there is no nominative expressed to which this can refer7 not the faces 7usually considered to refer to the edges of the axe-head7 sharpen 7occurs ,ezekiel xxi4 #ba 7#bf71 as pilpel of 1 which has the meaning of #8lightness1' #8swiftness2' the word occurs as an adjective1 ,numbers xxi4 #e1 in the sense of #8light1'our soul loatheth this light food7 and strong ones will prevail 7singular1 ,if #8strong ones' be the nominative1 this is an instance of a distributive pluralone or more of these will2 the future piel has the meaning #8strengthen1' the ,kal #8to prevail1' but we can only consider this as a ,masoretic conjecture7 and profit causing success 7but the ,,lxx4 render by 1 #8advantage'see below2 but occurs only ,esther viii4 #e1 and chapter xi4 #f2 see however 1 which occurs chapter ii4 #ba1 iv4 #d1 v4 #aj 7#aa71 which we have seen occasion to render #8success2' hence the meaning1 #8the made successful is'7 wisdom 7not generic1 i4e4 a single instance of it74 ,the general scope is quite clear2 it is the superiority of wisdom to brute force1 and so all commentators and versions understand it2 but the exact rendering is very difficult2all the versions are perplexed and discordant1 and the copies of the ,,lxx4 have an important textual variation4 ,we will give these at length1 beginning with the ,,lxx4 as the most ancient4 ,this reads 7which ,b4 reads 1 and ,e4 ,x4 7 #8,if the axe-head should fall off1 then the man troubles his countenance1 and he must put forth more strength2 and wisdom is the advantage of an energetic man4' ,the ,syriac version1 7 ,syriac phrase7 #8,if the axe be blunt1 and it troubles the face and increases the slain2 and the advantage of the diligent is wisdom4' ,the ,vulgate reads#8,si retusam fuerit ferrum et hoc non ut prius sed hebetatum fuerit1 multo labore exacuetur et post industriam sequetur sapientia'#8,if the iron should be blunt1 and this not as before1 but should have lost its edge1 it is sharpened with much labour2 and after industry will follow wisdom4' ,jerome renders the former part in conformity with the ,vulgate2 but after #8non ut prius1' which he also has1 runs on with#8sed conturbatum fuerit1 virtutibus corroborabitur1 et reliquum fortitudinis sapientia est 444'#8but is troubled2 it shall be strengthened by virtues1 and the remainder of strength is wisdom4' ,it will be seen then that we have reason to suspect a corruption of the text2 and we think that the suspicious #8non ut prius' of the ,vulgate and ,jerome shows what this corruption was4 ,we notice also that neither the ,,lxx4 nor the ,syriac take any notice of the negative4 ,guided by the clue thus given1 we will venture on the following conjectural emendation of the text4 ,we imagine that it was originally written thus1 1 the being written fulllike in chapter vi4 #aj1 compare also chapter viii4 #a1 ,nehemiah ix4 #ai;and having the meaning1 #8to the faces' or #8edges4' ,such an insertion of being unusual1 would cause suspicion to rest on the passage1 and the transition to would be easy4 ,this1 however1 was but one out of many possible conjectures1 and the ,vulgate has preserved another1 namely1 that the reading was 1 #8as before1' and1 as was common with the ancient versions1 inserts both the reading and its variant into the text4 ,this conjectural change in the text will make all quite clear2 the passage will then read thus#8,if the iron be blunt1 and so it is as to its edges whetted1 and so too blows prevail1 and so too an advantage is the success due to an instance of wisdom1' i4e4 in this case a skilful hit4 ,that is1 if the axe be blunt1 grinding1 force1 and skill together1 will produce the required result4 ,no doubt this can only be put forth as mere conjecture1 but1 in the absence of any satisfactory interpretation1 may be admitted2 for1 in fact1 arbitrary senses given to words1 and the insertions of explanatory glosses not immediately deducible from the original1 do amount to alterations of the text4 ,none of the other ancient ,greek versions have been preserved in this place1 except a reading of ,symmachus1 which is very curious1 showing still more forcibly how early the difficulty must have arisen1 since it is at best a reading ad sensum only1 1 #8and the nimble advances into wisdom4' 8exacueter0 replaced with 8exacuetur0 8sequeter0 replaced with 8sequetur0 80 replaced with 80 #aa ,surely the serpent will ,if bites the snake before the bite without enchantment2 and charm is sung1 then what is the a babbler is no better4 profit of the skilful tongue8 ,hebrew the master of the tongue4 7#aa47 ,if bites the serpent 7with the article1 and therefore genericserpents generally7 without 72 we may well suppose that the full form is used not without meaning2 it occurs ,isaiah lv4 #a1 #b1 in the sense of #8the absence of1' which well suits the context here17 whispering 7occurs ,isaiah ii4 #c1 #bj1 and xxvi4 #f2 ,jeremiah viii4 #ag1 etc471 and there is nothing of profit to the master of the tongue 7with article1 hence generic4 ,the rendering of the ,authorized ,version is derived from the ,vulgate4 ,the alliteration shows that the aphorism is equivocal1 it is the converse of the former3 skill will help force1 but after the mischief is done skill is of no use4 ,there is also here an ironical depreciation of serpent-charming74 #ab ,the words of a wise man's ,each word of a wise man's mouth are gracious2 but the mouth is grace1 but the lips of lips of a fool will swallow up a fool will swallow him apace4 himself4 ,hebrew grace4 7#ab47 ,the words of 7in the usual sense of reasonings7 the mouth of a wise man1 a favour 7i4e4 are each one so71 but the lips of the foolish swallow him 7future piel1 occurs #b ,samuel xx4 #ai1 #bj2 ,job viii4 #ah1 in the sense of #8destroy2' hence the ,,lxx4 render 2 compare ,matthew xiv4 #cj1 xviii4 #f4 ,here too we have a singular verb with a plural noun#8any one of a fool's words may be his destruction4' ,notice also the implied difference#8a fool talks with his lips1 a wise man reasons'74 #ac ,the beginning of the ,the beginnings of his words of his mouth is reasonings are each a wise foolishness3 and the end of error1 and the result of what his talk is mischievous he says are disappointed madness4 expectations1 every one of which is mischievous4 ,hebrew his mouth4 7#ac47 ,the beginning of words 7or reasonings7 of his mouth1 elaborate follies 7 in its usual sense2 and the whole being without the article gives the meaning#8,each beginning of the reasonings of his mouth is one out of a number of elaborate follies2 his reasonings are themselves elaborate mistakes'71 and an end 7 is used to signify the last end1 ,numbers xxiii4 #aj2 see chapter vii4 #h7 of his mouth 7repeated1 #8that same mouth'7 disappointed expectations 71 in its usual sense in this book7 mischievous 7singular1 each one of which is so74 #ad ,a fool also is full of ,and the wise fool multiplies words3 a man cannot tell what his reasons1 though no man shall be2 and what shall be understands the present1 and after him1 who can tell him8 the future results no one can declare4 ,hebrew multiplieth words4 7#ad47 ,and the elaborate fool multiplies words1 not knowing 7i4e4 when there is no knowing by7 the man 7humanity generally7 what it is which will be 7but the ,alexandrine and ,vatican read apparently 1 1 which ,a4 ,e4 ,x4 alter to 1 #8which shall be4' ,the ,syriac supports the ,,lxx41 but ,symmachus reads ' #8the things which were before1 but not those which come after'which the ,vulgate follows4 ,jerome1 however1 follows the ,,lxx4 against the ,vulgate2 nevertheless we should not be inclined to alter the text1 but would rather regard the reading of the ,,lxx4 as ad sensumthe object being to give the difference between the contracted and full relative and the subjunctive meaning attaching to this form4 ,thus is that which is or exists1 the #8he does not know then the real state of things'is the meaning2 for with this agrees what follows71 and which 7full relative7 is 7or will be7 from after him 7but there is no reason why should not be considered as a participial noun1 as the ,,lxx4 make it1 and then we must render the #8future' in the sense of what occurs in the future7 who tells to him 7emphatic74 ,the meaning of the passage is#8,that the elaborate fool multiplies reasonings1 which are sure to have an evil tendency1 as they are intended to promote his elaborate folly1 although man generally neither understands the meaning of the present1 nor can divine the future4' ,the difficulty of the sentence arises from the play between and 4 #ae ,the labour of the foolish ,a toil of fools will wearieth every one of them1 weary them each one1 who has because he knoweth not how to altogether lost his way4 go to the city4 7#ae47 ,the toil 7i4e4 #8anxious care1' which is the meaning of this word7 of the foolish ones wearies him 7another distributive plural2 the result of these various fools' labour is weariness to each of them4 ,it is also to be noticed that the verb is feminine1 and yet is usually masculine4 ,several nouns are1 ,stuart observes1 masculine or feminine ad libitum scriptoris4 ,there is however1 we suspect1 a perceptible difference in the meaning in these cases4 ,the stricter agreement denotes closer union between the verb and its nominative2 and if this be so1 the idea of the passage may be rendered by #8the toil of the fools is self-weariness'71 which 7full relative1 equivalent therefore to #8because' he does7 not know 7or is instructed7 to 7in order to7 go towards 71 ,,lxx4 7 a city 7not the city1 as is usually rendered47 ,the obvious meaning would surely be1 that the fool had lost his way1 and hence as he is going wrong he has simply his trouble for his pains4 #af ,woe to thee1 ,o land1 ,ah6 woe to thee1 ,o country1 when thy king is a child1 whose king is a child1 and thy and thy princes eat in the princes eat in the morning4 morning6 7#af47 ,woe to thee1 land1 whose king is a lad1 and thy princes in the morning eat 7i4e4 #8feast1' the morning being the proper time for work1 and not for feasting4 ,compare ,isaiah v4 #aa74 #ag ,blessed art thou1 ,blessed art thou1 ,o country1 ,o land1 when thy king is whose king is the son of the son of nobles1 and thy nobles1 and thy princes eat in princes eat in due season1 due season1 for strength and for strength1 and not for not for drunkenness4 drunkenness6 7#ag47 ,blessings on thee1 land1 whose king is a son of nobles 71 ,,lxx471 and thy princes in season eat1 and not in drunkenness 7but the ,,lxx4 render #8and shall not be ashamed'reading the as though the were radical1 and deriving the word from 1 #8to be ashamed4' ,thus is probably preserved an intentional equivoke47 #ah ,by much slothfulness ,when they are idle1 there the building decayeth2 and is a slender support1 and through idleness of the hands when both hands hang down1 the house droppeth through4 the roof-tree will weep4 7#ah47 ,by idlenesses 7,proverbs xix4 #ae only2 but 1 #8the sluggard1' occurs continually in ,proverbs1 and once as a verb1 ,judges xviii4 #i4 ,the word is pointed as a dual1 but the meaning #8idlenesses' suits the context7 decayeth 71 occurs ,kal1 ,psalms cvi4 #dc1 niphal here1 and hiphil ,job xxiv4 #bd1 all7 the beam 7 here only1 but the word differs only in pointing from the hap1 and the equivoke could hardly be unintentional71 and in lowness of hands drops 7occurs ,job xvi4 #bj1 ,psalms cxix4 #bh2 but notice the readings of the ,,lxx41 which are peculiar7 the house4 #ai ,a feast is made for ,for pleasure they make bread1 laughter1 and wine maketh and wine rejoices life1 but merry3 but money answereth all silver subserves with respect things4 to everything4 ,hebrew maketh glad the life4 7#ai47 ,to laughter are makings 7which the ,,lxx4 renders by 1 #8they make'7 bread and wine rejoices 7the ,masorets consider this a piel and transitive7 lives1 and the silver 7with the article1 and therefore genericmoney7 answereth with respect to all things 7both senses of are given in the versions of the ,,lxx4 1 ,alexandrine1 #8humbly obeys1' and 1 ,vatican1 #8will humble4' ,the ,alexandrine also reads 4 ,the ,syriac reads also double1 as do some copies of the ,,lxx47 ,syriac phrase7#8and money oppresses and leads them astray in all4' ,the ,alexandrine reading1 however1 makes quite consistent sense1 and squares entirely with the rest of the passage4 ,bread is prepared for pleasure rather than support1 wine rejoices hearts already merryits real use is to cheer those who are faint with toil or sorrow2 and silver1 which one can neither eat nor drink1 is preferred to bread and wine and everything else74 #bj ,curse not the king1 ,also1 even in thy conscience no not in thy thought2 and a king do not revile1 and in curse not the rich in thy secret places of the bed-chamber bed-chamber3 for a bird of the neither do thou revile the rich3 air shall carry the voice1 and for a bird of the heavens will that which hath wings shall carry out the rumour1 and the tell the matter4 swift one on wings shall tell the matter4 ,or1 conscience4 7#bj47 ,also in thy understanding 7occurs ,daniel i4 #d1 #ag2 #b ,chronicles i4 #aj1 #aa1 #ab only1 and always with this meaning3 all the ancient versions follow the idea contained in the ,,lxx4's 1 which would seem to give the notion that this curse was a reasonable1 not a hasty one7 a king 7not the king1 any king7 do not curse2 and in the innermost of thy bed-chambers do not either curse the rich person 7the idea of cursing or reviling is of course here prominent71 for a bird of the heavens shall cause to convey the voice 7with and the article1 with #8respect to that voice' is the meaningthe rumour will get abroad in a mysterious way7 and a lord of the winged ones 7the ,masorets wish to omit the article in 7 shall tell the matter 7the ,,lxx4 note the emphasis given by and the articles by adding the pronoun 1 which is simply a rendering ad sensum',treason1 like murder1 will out'74 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,cast thy bread upon the ,,cast thy bread on the face waters3 for thou shalt find it of the waters3 for in the after many days4 multitude of the daysthou wilt find it4 ,hebrew upon the face of the waters4 ,,xi4 7#a47 ,cast thy bread upon the face of the waters1 for in the multitude of the days thou shalt find it4 7,this passage is usually taken as an exhortation to liberality4 ,hengstenberg however understands it to refer to ships and their cargo of grain4 ,zckler refers to ,proverbs xi4 #bd for a similar sentiment1 and ,luke xvi4 #i2 the idea is clearly that of an unexpected return74 8,zkler0 replaced with 8,zckler0 for consistency #b ,give a portion to seven1 ,give a share all round1 and and also to eight2 for thou to some one else beside1 for knowest not what evil shall be thou dost not know what sort of upon the earth4 mischief shall be in the earth4 7#b47 ,give a portion to seven1 and also to eight 7see ,job v4 #ai1 ,micah v4 #d 7#e71 for similar idioms2 it is equivalent to our #8everybody1 and some one else'71 for not dost thou know what shall be mischief upon the earth4 #c ,if the clouds be full of ,,if the clouds are ,,full of rain1 they empty themselves rain1 they empty themselves upon the earth3 and if the upon the earth2 and if falls tree fall toward the south1 or the tree by the south wind or toward the north1 in the place by the norththe place where where the tree falleth1 there the tree falls is just where it shall be4 it will be4 7#c47 ,if they are full the clouds 7 is the thick vapour that appears and disappears7 rain 7 is the storm rain which does mischief or good according to circumstances1 see chapter xii4 #b7 they cause to empty 7clouds do not always prognosticate rain2 and even if they should1 a storm may do mischief rather than good72 and if is falling a tree in the south1 or if either in the north 7#8if' is hence emphatic7 the place where may fall 7contracted relative7 the tree 7now with the article1 for it is the falling tree spoken of above7 there it will be 7the unusual form has troubled the commentators much3 ,moses ,stuart pronounces the to be otiose1 which is not explaining the form at all4 ,but may not the following be a sufficient explanation8 in this book is used in the sense of the existence of an object3 might not ,koheleth coin a verb by adding the of the present tense1 with the idea1 #8makes itself be'8compare also ,joshua x4 #bd1 ,isaiah xxiii4 #ab1 where this otiose occurs2 the rendering of the ,,lxx4 by shows how they understood it1 and so also the ,syriac and ,vulgate4 ,the whole sentence is ironical1 when the tree has really fallen1 then we know which way it fell4 ,the ,masoretic accentuation of this passage is peculiarwe should naturally have expected them to have divided the verse into two clauses1 at 1 #8they empty1' instead of which the greatest pause occurs at #8north' 1 but this method of reading renders the irony of the passage2 the verse will then stand thus3#8,if the clouds are full of rain they will empty themselves upon the earth1 and so if the tree should incline to the south1 or if it should incline to the norththe place where it falls is where it really will be4' ,the accentuation is rhetorical rather than logical1 and the ,masorets have shown great taste in their pointing74 #d ,he that observeth the wind ,looking at the wind one does shall not sow2 and he that not sow1 and gazing into the regardeth the clouds shall not clouds one does not reap4 reap4 7#d47 ,regarding wind6 not does one sow 7impersonal71 and looking into clouds neither is one reaping 7we must attend to the precise form of the words in this sentence in order to gather the true nature of the sarcasm hidden in it2 the ,,lxx4 have clearly marked these forms in their rendering74 #e ,as thou knowest not what ,just as thou art not one who is the way of the spirit1 knows the way of the spirit1 nor how the bones do grow how the bones are in the womb in the womb of her that is of the pregnant3 just so thou with child3 even so thou knowest nothing with respect knowest not the works of ,god to the working of the ,almighty1 who maketh all4 who is working out the whole4 7#e47 ,as thou art not one who knows what is the way of the spirit1 like the bones in the womb of the pregnant1 just so1 thou dost not know1 with respect to the working of the ,deity1 ,who is ,he that 7full relative7 performs with regard to the whole4 7,the ,,lxx4 render the first part 1 #8among whom none knows1' taking no notice of the pronoun thou4 ,did they read the at the end of as beginning the following word8 ,that the sentence is equivocal1 and that this equivoke helps the general drift of the passage is not to be doubted47 ,the subject now returns to the previous train of argument1 which directs man to do his duty in submission to the inscrutable ways of ,providence4 #f ,in the morning sow thy ,in the morning sow the seed seed1 and in the evening thou oughtest1 and to the withhold not thine hand3 evening do not withhold thy for thou knowest not whether hand1 for ,,thou canst not tell shall prosper1 either this if it shall succeed1 whether or that1 or whether they both this or another1 or if all of shall be alike good4 it shall be alike good4 ,hebrew shall be right4 7#f47 ,in the morning sow thy seed 7with 1 #8sow that seed which you ought to sow1'7 and to the evening 7note the change of preposition1 it renders this passage a better introduction to what is to follow3 there is a reference to the evening of life7 do not withhold thy hand 7compare chapter vii4 #ah1 where is used with this verb1 and observe the difference in meaning71 for it is not thou who knowest 7a repetition of this clause from the preceding verse7 whether 7but compare #a ,kings xxii4 #bd1 and #a ,samuel ix4 #ah1 showing that the meaning with is #8what way' or #8how1'7 succeeds 7see chapter x4 #aj and references7 the this or this1 or if both of them as one 7 #8to the same1' ,,lxx47 good 7plural2 sowing is no doubt taken generically as a type of human labour1 performed in expectation of a future harvest1 and the ,preacher directs us to do our appointed work in patience1 and from morning till evening1 i4e4 the whole day through1 sure of a good result4 ,the morning or the evening sowing will1 one or other1 perhaps both1 succeed2 the transition to what follows is quite natural74 #g ,truly the light is ,yes1 sweet is the light1 and sweet1 and a pleasant thing a good to the eyes the sight of it is for the eyes to behold the sun2 the sun3 7#g47 ,and sweet 7but the participial form #8sweetened' is not to be altogether overlooked2 thus1 #8is sweetened'7 the light1 and a good to the eyes to behold 7i4e4 to have sight of7 the sun1 7for life is a blessing1 and this is a reply to the equivocal #8,i said in my heart' of chapter iii4 #ah and iv4 #c74 #h ,but if a man live many yet if man lives to the very years1 and rejoice in them longest limit of his days1 in all2 yet let him remember the all of them he may rejoice1 and days of darkness2 for they remember with respect to the shall be many4 ,all that cometh days of darkness that they is vanity4 shall be many too3 all that is coming is evanescent4 7#h47 ,for if the years are many 7that is1 if his years are as long as they can be7 the man 7humanity generally7 in all of them rejoices 7but as the noun stands before the verb1 it is emphatic1 and in this case1 as the verb is preceded by 1 is potential#8may rejoice'71 and remembers with regard to days of darkness 7that is1 forgetfulness1 the days when he is forgotten1 and also of sorrow or sadness1 for both meanings are combined7 for the many 7repeating the above1 with the sense1 then1 #8for very many also1'7 will they be1 all which may come 7#8every coming event' that is1 as the contracted relative shows7 is vanity 7evanescent74 #i ,rejoice1 ,o young man1 in ,rejoice1 ,o choice young man1 thy youth2 and let thy heart in the days of thy youth1 and cheer thee in the days of thy let thy heart do thee good in youth1 and walk in the ways of the choice days of thy youth1 thine heart1 and in the sight and walk in ways of thy heart of thine eyes3 but know thou1 and sights of thine eyes1 and that for all these things know how1 on account of all ,god will bring thee into these things thou shalt be judgment4 summoned of the ,almighty to judgment4 7#i47 ,rejoice1 young man 7but has the sense of #8choice1' and this is to be remembered here7 in thy youth 7but occurs here only2 see however ,psalms cx4 #c1 which the ,masorets point 2 this word is the abstract of the word 1 which means #8to beget2' hence the exact meaning of would be #8productions'71 and cause good to thee let thy heart in days of thy choosings 7for also occurs only here and chapter xii4 #a1 and youth therefore is so designated1 because it is a time of choice71 and walk in ways of thy heart1 and seeings of thine eyes2 and know how1 upon all these1 thou art caused to come of the ,deity into judgment4 7,the ,,lxx4 have here the gloss #8in the ways of thine heart blameless2' but the ,syriac ,hexaplar notes this gloss with an asterisk1 so that it is clearly not entitled to any weight2 it was no doubt a subsequent addition to the text1 because the meaning was not seen1 as indeed it cannot be1 without a reference to the double meanings of the ,hebrew words47 #aj ,therefore remove sorrow ,put away disappointment from from thy heart1 and put away thine heart1 and purge away evil from thy flesh3 for mischief from thy flesh1 for childhood and youth are childhood and early vanity4 expectations are evanescent4 ,or1 anger4 7#aj47 ,and put away disappointment 71 chapter i4 #ah1 references7 from thy heart1 and pass away evil from thy flesh2 because the producings and the dawnings 7 occurs here only2 for the meaning of the root see ,job vii4 #ba1 ,psalms lxxviii4 #cd1 ,proverbs xiii4 #bd4 ,so the meaning of the word here is #8early seekings1' which the ,,lxx4 render ad sensum by 1 #8the ignorance2' and the ,syriac by 7 ,syriac phrase7 #8because childhood and not to know'7 is vanity 7singular2 #8each one is so1' as a plural precedes74 ,that the passage is ironical we cannot doubt1 but it is good advice1 even the very best1 as it stands4 ,youth is the time of choice1 the time of productions1 or1 if one willand the expression will preserve an equivoke similar to that in the textconception2 but this time is evanescent4 ,we choose our path in life when young1 but then we cannot go back4 ,he who changes his calling once rarely succeeds in it1 and never if he chooses twice4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,remember now thy ,creator in ,but remember thy ,creator in the days of thy youth1 while the days of thy choice youth1 the evil days come not1 nor while these evil days come not1 the years draw nigh1 when thou and these years approach1 of shalt say1 ,i have no pleasure which thou shalt say there is in them2 nothing for me in ,,them of happy providence2 ,,xii4 7#a47 ,and remember with respect to thy ,creators 7but is #8creating'see ,isaiah xl4 #bh1 xli4 #e1 xlv4 #g1 #ah1 where the participle poel occurs2 hence1 according to the strict meaning1 it ought to be thy creatings7 in days of thy choosings 7with the same meaning as before2 the sentence is doubtless intentionally equivocal7 until not come days of the evil 7#8the evil days' is quite correct1 but then we must remember the emphasis falls on #8evil1' not #8days'71 and are caused to draw near years 7not #8the years1' which spoils the pathos of the passageyears are opposed to days above7 which thou sayest there is nothing to me 7emphatic7 in them of delight 7but not without a shade of the technical meaning1 #8providence'as man grows older he expects no delight2 no great good fortune can come to him74 #b ,while the sun1 or the before1 too1 is darkened the light1 or the moon1 or the sun1 and the light1 and the stars1 be not darkened1 nor moon1 and the stars2 and the the clouds return after the storm-cloud returns after the rain3 tempest4 7#b47 ,until not darkened 7i4e4 before this happens7 is the sun1 and the light 7referring back to chapter xi4 #g71 and the moon1 and the stars1 and return the clouds 7storm-clouds7 after the rain 7the tempestuous rain1 i4e4 storm succeeds storm74 #c ,in the day when the ,in a day when sore moved are keepers of the house shall the keepers of the house1 tremble1 and the strong men and the mighty mortals sadly shall bow themselves1 and the perplex themselves1 and the grinders cease because they grinding maids are idle because are few1 and those that look there is little to grind1 and out of the windows be darkened1 the ladies look into gloom through the windows2 ,or1 fail because they grind little4 7#c47 ,in a day 7not the day1 which again spoils the pathos4 ,koheleth is now going to give specimens of evil days7 when disturbed are1 7occurs only ,esther iii4 #i1 and ,habakkuk ii4 #g1 pilpel4 ,this word1 1 has been said to be a late one1 but occurs ,deuteronomy xxviii4 #be2 the idea is #8commotion1' when they are or may be in commotion7 the keepers of the house1 and perplex themselves 7see chapter i4 #ae1 vii4 #ac71 the men 71 #8weak men'7 of the strength 7it is quite consistent with the character of the writer to join such terms as these together1 with an oblique sarcasm hidden beneath them71 and cease 7here only1 a so-called late word7 the grinding maids1 because they are diminished1 and are dark the gazers 7feminine7 in the windows 77#a47 the keepers are the slaves2 7#b47 the strong men the masters2 7#c47 the grinding maids the women servants2 7#d7 the gazers are the ladiescompare ,judges v4 #bh2 thus is comprised the whole family47 8#e0 replaced with 8#be0 #d ,and the doors shall be and closed are the doors in the shut in the streets1 when the street in the failing sound of sound of the grinding is low1 the mill1 and one starts at the and he shall rise up at the note of a sparrow1 and hushed voice of the bird1 and all the are all the daughters of song4 daughters of musick shall be brought low2 7#d47 ,and shut are the doors in the street1 in the failing voice of the grinding1 7or #8grinding maid'71 and rises up 7as there is no nominative we must take it as impersonal1 #8one rises up'7 to a voice of the sparrow1 and brought low 7see ,isaiah ii4 #i1 and also xxix4 #d1 where the word is used of a muttering voice7 all daughters of the song4 #e ,also when they shall ,moreover1 the height is be afraid of that which is dreaded1 and great fears are high1 and fears shall be in the way1 and the almond in the way1 and the almond tree the harbinger of spring tree shall flourish1 and the is despised1 and the little grasshopper shall be a burden1 grasshopper of summer is as and desire shall fail3 because a burden1 and desire itself has man goeth to his long home1 fled1 for man has departed to and the mourners go about the his long home1 and mourners go streets3 round the market3 7#e47 ,moreover 7this marks a transition in the catalogue of ills1 the former were external evilsthese come from within7 also from the height they fear2 and terrors in the way2 and the almond is despised2 and burdens itself the grasshopper2 and scattered the desire4 7,this passage has exercised translators and commentators from the earliest times4 ,the ,,lxx4 read 1 1 1 1 #8and they shall look from the height1 and fears shall be in the way1 and the almond-tree shall blossom1 and the locust shall increase1 and the caper berry shall be scattered4' ,here ,b4 read 1 #8into the height4' ,aquila1 1 #8they shall tremble a trembling2' and 1 #8the caper-berry shall fructify4' ,now ,symmachus1 quoted by ,jerome1 read#8,super hc etiam de eccelso videbunt1 et error erit in via1 et obdormiet vigilans1 et dissolvetur spiritus fortitudo4' ,the last words are1 however1 preserved in ,greek 4 #8,on these they look from the height1 and error will be in the way1 and the watchful will fall asleep1 and the courage of the spirit will be dissolved4' ,the ,syriac reads7 ,syriac phrase7#8and also from the height they fear1 and shall be terrified in the way1 and the watch shall rush upon him1 and the almond flourish1 and the grasshopper be increased1 and the caper shall burst1 and desire shall cease4' ,we think that1 with these different versions before us1 all of which have preserved portions of the original1 we shall be able to conjecture the meaning of the text4 ,it is just possible that originally the text read 1 and which might have been altered by displacing the 1 and putting it on to the beginning of the next word2 for otherwise it is hard to suppose that the ,,lxx4 would go out of their way to alter a reading the meaning of which1 as it stands1 is so obvious4 ,b4 seems to have preserved this original reading4 ,the difference to the sense1 however1 is not great1 as this looking upwards is evidently the effect of fear1 as is shown by the next clause4 ,this begins with the word a reduplicated and therefore emphasized form of 1 to #8be dismayed1' or #8distracted1' as in the sense of #8broken in pieces2' hence the rendering of ,aquila3 #8,these intense tremblings in the way'which word #8way' surely we may interpret in the ethical sense so common in this book of #8way of life'are the natural result of #8looking with fearfulness into the height4' ,compare chapter iii4 #ba4 80 replaced with 80 ,the next clause is still more obscure4 ,the word has1 in all other places1 the meaning #8to be despised1' or1 in piel1 to #8provoke4' ,the hiphil occurs here only1 and is rendered1 contrary to all analogy1 #8flourish4' ,this is virtually to alter the text2 and though the ,,lxx4 support this rendering1 it is clear1 from its various readings1 that the ,greek text has also been tampered with4 ,the original meaning has apparently been preserved by ,symmachus1 and by the alternative rendering of the ,syriac4 ,then as to #8the almond tree1' 3 the word occurs ,genesis xliii4 #aa1 ,numbers xvii4 #h 7#bc71 ,jeremiah i4 #aa1 all4 ,this last passage gives probably the clue4 ,the almond is the first tree to blossom in the coming spring1 and is its harbinger2 it is1 as it were1 in a hurry to welcome it2 but this harbinger of spring is despised4 ,as to the interpretation that the almond blossom is an allegorical description of the white hairs of an old man1 it may be answered that the almond blossom is pink1 not white4 ,the next clause#8,the grasshopper shall be a burden'may be explained by noticing that the word occurs ,numbers xiii4 #cc1 ,isaiah xl4 #bb1 as the type of something small or insignificant4 ,the only other two places1 viz4 ,leviticus xi4 #bb1 #b ,chronicles vii4 #ac1 where the word occurs1 show that this creature was edible1 but might become a plague4 1 the hithpael of 1 occurs here only2 #8burdens itself' is the exact meaning4 ,the ,english ,version no doubt gives here the true sense4 ,the next clause#8,desire shall fail'may be explained in the same way4 ,the word 1 the hiphil of 1 has always the meaning to #8break1' #8disannul'see ,numbers xxx4 #ac1 ,job xv4 #d1 and hophal1 ,zechariah xi4 #aa4 ,evidently ,symmachus1 with the reading 1 has preserved the true meaning2 for by he has rendered the word 1 which occurs here only4 ,now we have no right to seek a strange signification for this word when fair sense can be made according to the ordinary derivations4 occurs frequently in the sense of #8a poor person'the root being 1 #8to wish1' or #8desire4' ,jerome translates1 as we see#8,et dissolvetur spiritus fortitudinis'#8the spirit or breath of the brave is dissolved1' which is ad sensum2 so that we may take as simply an abstract of 1 with the meaning of #8wishfulness1' or #8longing4' ,thus the reading of the ,,lxx4 is explained3 ,capers are provocatives of desire or appetite1 and hence their ,hebrew name4 ,the of ,symmachus occurs only once again1 at ,isaiah liii4 #c1 where it represents the ,hebrew 1 #8griefs' 7see ,field's most instructive note1 ,hexaplar in loc474 ,thus we venture to offer the following as a probable explanation of this passage3#8,besides1 they look with dread on high1 and great dismay is in the way1 and the almond tree 7as a symbol of anticipation7 is despised1 and the grasshopper 7as a symbol of what is small and light7 is burdensome1 and the caper-berries 7as the symbol of desires or longings7 are scattered4' ,in the last clause the metaphorical out-tops the literal meaning1 as the ,authorized ,version renders1 rightly abandoning the ,,lxx4 at this point47 ,for 7or #8so'7 advances 71 recalling chapter i47 the man 7in the ordinary technical meaning of humanity7 to 7#8towards1' ,,lxx4 1 in its primary sense of motion to a place7 a house of his age 71 having its ordinary sense of #8the age1' or 1 as the ,,lxx4 render4 ,the ,authorized ,version's #8long home' is a beautiful paraphrase3 his #8brief home' is his house2 his #8long home' his tomb71 and go round in the street 7which the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8in the market'7 the mourners 7those who mourn for the dead74 #f ,or ever the silver cord or ever the silver line runs be loosed1 or the golden bowl out1 or the golden oil bowl is be broken1 or the pitcher be removed1 or the pitcher is broken at the fountain1 or the shattered at the fountain1 or wheel broken at the cistern4 wheel runs down at the well1 or the dust returns to the earth #g ,then shall the dust return where it was1 or the spirit is to the earth as it was3 and returning to the ,almighty1 its the spirit shall return unto giver2 ,god who gave it4 7#f4 #g47 ,until not 7marking another break in the comparison7 is loosed 7according to the ,kri1 but this is only a conjecture of the ,masorets2 if correct1 the niphal occurs here only1 but the chetib1 1 means #8to be far from2' and thus the ,,lxx4 render by 1 #8turned back1' and this appears to be correct7 a cord of the silver 7the ,hebrew idiom for our #8the silver cord4' ,if we understand this to mean the silver cord from which the lamp is suspended1 we shall perceive the allusion71 and is broken 71 so far as the unpointed text is concerned1 might be feminine third future ,kal of 1 #8to run'see ,genesis xxix4 #ab4 ,the ,,lxx4 render by 1 which occurs ,sira xxxi4 #ad only2 but it also may be from see ,judges ix4 #ec4 ,b4 reads 2 but this is an error1 the origin of which is the similarity of the two words and the occurrence of them both in the same sentence71 a bowl 71 used by ,zechariah to denote the reservoir which contained the oil for the golden candlestick of the temple1 ,zechariah iv4 #b1 #c4 ,the ,,lxx4 render 1 which also occurs ,exodus xxxviii4 #af1 #8for the round ornaments2' compare also ,joshua xv4 #ai1 ,judges i4 #ae1 where the word evidently signifies a reservoir for irrigation2 also occurs #a ,kings vii4 #da1 etc4 ,if the #8golden bowl of the lamp' be taken as the most probable meaning1 it will admirably suit the context71 of the gold 7the idea then is apparently that of a golden lamp bowl suspended by a silver cord2 the lamp would be let down daily at least2 the golden bowl would then run down and be taken away to be replenished72 and is shivered 7see ,leviticus vi4 #bh 7#ba77 a pitcher upon 7or over7 the spring 7occurs ,isaiah xxxv4 #g1 xlix4 #aj1 and is evidently a spring gushing out of the ground1 as opposed to 1 which is a sunken well or cistern71 and is run 7but the word is niphal1 and the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8run down to'7 the wheel 7with the article1 because the special wheel is meant which stands over the cistern7 towards 71 the preposition is different7 the well2 and returns the dust upon the earth as it was1 and the spirit is returning 7both futures1 but one written full1 the other contracted2 there is perhaps a slight distinctionone also follows1 the other goes before1 its verb7 to 72 ,,lxx4 7 the ,deity who 7but full relative1 as compared with the contracted form above7 gave it 7feminine1 to agree with 2 but1 as we have so often seen1 this close agreement gives a peculiar meaning2 it is especially the divine gift74 #h ,vanity of vanities1 soevanescence of evanescence1 saith the ,preacher2 all is says the ,preacher1 the whole is vanity4 evanescent4 7#h47 ,vanity of vanities1 said the ,preacher 7with the article1 the ,preacher as such1 generic71 the whole is vanity4 ,we must notice1 in interpreting these last verses that the acts described are all such as take time1 indeed but a short time1 to accomplish1 and occur frequently4 ,the string of the lamp will be loosed almost daily1 and the lamp taken away2 and surely no more poetical or impressive metaphor of death can be discovered than a lamp with oil-bowl gone4 ,next we have the shattered pitcheran accident which may happen at any time2 and then the bucket running down into the well1 which is a comparatively frequent occurrence1 and may well bring vividly before our minds the disappearance of one who was just before familiarly among us4 ,that the bucket might be drawn up again full of living water is necessarily not mentioned1 but is one of those hidden sarcastic promises in which the book delights4 ,the last two clauses are joined together by the simple #8and2' but there is clearly at this point a transition from simile to metaphor1 which the ,authorized ,version notices4 ,if indeed one likes to take it so1 the simile is true enough of dust and wind1 but the last clause discloses a deeper meaning4 ,after all1 the promises of a resurrection are but scarcely hidden behind the apparent hopelessness of the conclusion arrived at4 ,the interpretation which makes the whole of this passage a metaphorical description of old age1 comes from no more authoritative source than ,hagadic interpretation1 as embodied in the ,chaldee ,targum4 ,there is no proof that any allegory was intended1 and the literal meaning is not only to the purpose1 but exceedingly touching and beautiful4 ,the arrangement of clauses1 also1 is highly artificial1 which may be seen by counting them as marked off by the recurring forms #8or ever1' #8also1' and the like4 ,,section ,v4,epilogue4 #i ,and moreover1 because the ,but there is something yet to ,preacher was wise1 he still come3 for the ,preacher was taught the people knowledge2 wise2 he yet taught knowledge yea1 he gave good heed1 and with respect to men generally2 sought out1 and set in order and1 pondering1 he tracked out many proverbs4 the solution of these enigmas to the utmost4 ,or1 the more wise the ,preacher was4 7#i47 ,and for the rest 7for now is to be added something over and above1 to form a supplement to what went before2 compare #a ,kings xiv4 #ai both for the ,hebrew and ,greek4 ,as the word stands first1 it is the subject3 whether we point it as noun or participle will not make much difference to the sense1 but the ,masoretic pointing is best2 they also1 with great taste1 put a large distinctive accent on the word4 ,the meaning is1 #8there is something yet to be added2'7 that he was 7the contract-relative with subject verb7 even a ,koheleth 7i4e4 a preacher or gatherer7 who was wise1 yet 7the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8nevertheless1' but their rendering is very remarkable and we will discuss it at length presently7 taught knowledge 7and in the sense so common in this book1 of the knowledge how to act under a given set of circumstances7 with respect to the people 7not as usually understood that he taught the people knowledge1 but taught knowledge with regard to the people1 the collected body of humanity2 compare chapter iv4 #af7 and he gave heed1 and he sought out 7,deuteronomy xiii4 #d2 ,psalms cxxxix4 #a7 an order 7chapter i4 #ae1 viii4 #ah2 this is the third time of occurrence of this root1 which is peculiar to this book4 ,the ,masorets point as piel pret41 it might however be a noun1 as the ,,lxx4 render it1 and we shall see reason presently for adopting this interpretation7 of parables the many4 #aj ,the ,preacher sought to ,the ,preacher1 indeed1 sought find out acceptable words3 to discover the reasons for a and that which was written providence1 but what he has was upright1 even words of written is the real matter of truth4 truth4 ,hebrew words of delight4 7#aj47 ,sought ,koheleth to find words of providence 7 and 1 both in their usual technical senses7 and written 7full participial form7 uprightness1 words of truth4 7,the passage is very obscure2 the ,,lxx4 render 4 1 444 #8and for the rest1 because the ,preacher was wise1 and because he taught knowledge with respect to the man1 and his ear will trace out the orderly arrangement of parables4' ,now1 some curious features in this rendering deserve noticethe word occurs #a ,timothy ii4 #i1 and iii4 #b2 it is used as a neuter1 #8orderliness4' ,again1 is rendered 4 ,b4 omits and ,a includes in brackets the 1 so marked1 in the text2 ,a reads 2 ,f4,x4 omit 2 ,f4 reads for 2 ,e4 2 and ,d4 4 ,thus it appears probable that the ,,lxx4 read and as this future follows the past1 we have the sense of the imperfect3 they also translated 1 because they considered as used genericallysee chapter iv4 #af1 and in the same sense4 ,if1 however1 the ,hebrew text were altered1 which would be done simply by lengthening the jud into van 1 the rendering of the ,,lxx4 would become unintelligible1 and hence the variations1 especially that of ,e4 ,then 1 which is really nominative to 1 and emphatic as standing before it1 came to be regarded as a verb and pointed piel1 the only instance of such pointing that occurs1 and then accenting with zakeph1 the ,masorets made these two words a parenthesis1 and pointed as a piel pret41 instead of a noun as do the ,,lxx42 they then make singular agree with the plural 1 which would1 according to the usage of this book1 be distributive4 ,on the whole1 however1 it seems very probable that the ,,lxx4 have preserved the right reading1 or at least the meaning of the passage2 this meaning is1 #8and for the rest1 because ,koheleth was a wise man1 still he taught knowledge with respect to the people1 and his ear i4e4 judgment1 for the word contains the idea of weighing as in a balance was seeking out an orderly meaning or solution of parables2' by parables he means doubtless the mysterious facts cited4 ,the next verse takes this thought up thus3 #8,very much sought ,koheleth in order to find words of providenceand written correctly words of truth4' ,if the reading were really 1 and not1 as we may conjecture1 1 we should then read #8he was writing1' which it must be confessed makes excellent sense4 ,the ,,lxx4 render here 1 in the accusative1 governed by 1 and the meaning is therefore1 #8sought 444 a thing written of right even words of truth4' ,this agrees altogether with the context1 and also is cognate with what follows74 #aa ,the words of the wise ,these reasons of the wise are are as goads1 and as nails like goads1 but they are like fastened by the masters of stakes as well1 deeply fixed1 assemblies1 which are given dominating over the herd1 from one shepherd4 appointed so by a shepherd1 who is the only one4 7#aa47 ,the words of 7but as is repeated1 we have #8those words of'7 wise men as goads 7 2 the play is manifest between and 1 but occurs here only1 note also its two accents1 and the noun in a concrete form at #a ,samuel xiii4 #ba7 and as nails 7the particle of comparison being repeated1 gives the idea #8but as nails as well1' but 1 spelt with the letter sin1 occurs here only2 only one instance of a piel participle of the very common verb occurs1 viz4 ,jonah ii4 #h 7#i71 but the noun is also quite common2 see #a ,chronicles ix4 #bc1 where occurs in the sense of #8by wards'7 planted masters of assemblies 71 occurs as a feminine noun ,isaiah xxiv4 #bb2 ,,lxx4 4 ,this word has a curious history1 which will further illustrate its meaning at this place4 ,the reading of the ,hexapla at ,isaiah xxiv4 #bb is3 4 4 4 1 showing a difficulty about the word which in the ,hexapla is included between asterisks4 ,here the ,peshito renders ,koheleth by 7 ,syriac word7 #8masters of thresholds1' and uses this same word at ,exodus xii4 #bb1 #bc1 and ,deuteronomy vi4 #i2 hence they understood the allusion to be to the stake set across the entrance of the fold to prevent the cattle from straying out4 ,that this reading will explain ,isaiah xxiv4 #bb is evident enough1 and that it will explain this passage also will be seen if we look upon these goads as both compelling the oxen to labour1 and1 as the ,syriac renders1 forming the stakes which close the entrance to the lair72 are given from a shepherd1 one only 7notice that stands emphatically at the end of the sentence1 and must mean1 therefore1 #8the shepherd1 who is the only one4' ,this verse has greatly perplexed commentators3 a diligent perusal of the ancient versions1 and following the hint given by the ,syriac above1 will show us what is the real meaning4 ,the ,,lxx4 read ,a4 ,d4 ,e4 ,x41 which ,a1 ,b alter to 1 and which ,aquila follows2 probably was a misreading of 1 from 1 #8to infix2' ,symmachus reads #8constructed on1' see ,hebrews viii4 #b4 ,all the ancient ,greek versions consider as a preposition1 and render by 2 the ,,lxx4 render by 2 ,b4 2 ,aquila 2 ,syriac ,hexapla 7 ,syriac phrase72 ,symmachus 1 otherwise 2 ,syriac 7 ,syriac phrase71 all which words have nearly the same meaning4 ,the ,syriac also gives here1 from ,theodotion1 what is possibly a rendering of this place1 but may be intended for 1 in verse #ad1 7 ,syriac phrase71 i4e4 1 #8unseen things4' ,the ,peshito rendering1 perhaps1 may give us the cluethese #8collections' or #8collectanea' are the instances of human life adduced by ,koheleth1 and it is men like a herd of oxen driven by goads1 and confined by stakes over which these wise words are masters2 and this we think will make all clear4 ,the meaning of the passage will be3 #8,these words of wise men are like goads1 by which the ox is incited to labour1 but then they are like stakes i4e4 to which the ox may be tied1 or1 of which a fence might be made to confine him as well1 planted around the persons brought together1 or the herd1 and so infixed as masters of the assembly2 they are given from the shepherd or herdsman'for the word has both senses #8who is the only one2' or1 since is ambiguous1 and pointed means #8pasture1' they give pasture only4 ,thus the metaphor is kept up and the equivoke maintained74 referencing the 80 symbol #ab ,and further1 by these1 ,but as to anything else from my son1 be admonished3 of these1 my son1 be warned3 making many books there is making of many treatises would no end2 and much study is lead to no result1 and much a weariness of the flesh4 study would but weary the body4 ,or1 reading4 7#ab47 ,but for the rest 7repeating the formula of verse #i1 and hence a further extension of the same idea71 from them 7emphatic1 #8but for anything else that these wise words can do' is the meaning7 my son1 be admonished3 makings of books 7 used for the sake of the alliteration with above7 the many 7i4e4 too many7 is nothing of an end 7i4e4 gives no result7 and study 7 occurs here only1 ,,lxx4 7 the much 7too much7 wearies 7compare chapter i4 #h7 the flesh4 7,thus even wisdom itself is no cure for the ills of humanity4 ,the catalogue of human ills and the instances of human evanescence would form too large a volume for humanity to master1 so that in this case also the world itself would not contain the books which should be written4 ,the grand result of all however is easily obtained1 and follows47 #ac ,let us hear the ,the end of the matter1 even conclusion of the whole all that hath been heard1 matter3 ,fear ,god1 and keep his is this3 ,,with ,,regard ,,to ,,the commandments3 for this is ,,almighty1 ,,fear ,,him2 ,,and ,,with the whole duty of man4 ,,regard ,,also ,,to ,,his ,,commandments1 ,,keep ,,them1 ,,for ,,this ,,is ,or1 ,the end of the ,,everything ,,to ,,humanity4 matter1 even all that hath been heard1 is4 7#ac47 ,the conclusion 7compare chapter iii4 #aa1 vii4 #b7 of the word 7i4e4 the final reason71 the whole 7with article in its usual sense71 is heard 7niphal71 with respect to the ,deity1 fear2 and with respect to his commandments1 keep 7notice the emphatic 1 which1 however1 the ,,lxx4 do not render by 1 because the article and position give the emphasis required7 for this is all the man 7i4e4 the whole duty1 happiness1 etc41 of humanity74 #ad ,for ,god shall bring every ,for with respect to every work into judgment1 with every act1 the ,almighty will bring secret thing1 whether it be to adjustment all that is good1 or whether it be evil4 mysterious1 whether it be a good or an evil4 7#ad47 ,for with respect to all working 7or doings1 notice the prefixed 7 the ,deity 7noun before the verb7 is bringing into judgment upon all the hidden 7niphal participle1 but has not lost its meaning1 it is the hidden past and future1 hence the ,,lxx4 1 #8overlooked1' compare #a ,kings x4 #c71 if it be good or if evil 7if it be a good act or an evil one either4 ,that is1 ,god will bring all these mysteries into orderly adjustment1 and in the sequel vindicate his holiness and justice74 ,,luke ii4 #ad4 ,,errata4 ,all ,errata and ,addenda items have been corrected in the text4 ,page #g1 ,,notes1 column #b line #ad1 for #8hiphil' read #8niphal4' ,page #ai1 ,,text1 line #aj1 for #8he' read #8,he4' ,page #ca1 ,,notes1 column #b1 line #f1 for #8ratio' read #8oratio4' ,,addenda4 ,page #i1 ,,notes4 ,at end of ,note on verse #ag1 after #8spirit1' add3 ,it may be observed that occurs in the ,chaldee of ,danielsee ,daniel ii4 #bi1 #cj2 iv4 #ai 7#af72 v4 #f1 etc41 always in the sense of a #8painful reflection1' but in later ,chaldee and ,syriac as #8a reflection' of any kind4 ,as the sense in which ,koheleth uses the word is the nearest to the root-meaning1 is it not an evidence1 so far1 of earlier composition of his book8 ,page #ab1 ,,notes4 ,at end of ,note on verse #e add3 ,it should have been mentioned that is also considered to afford an indication of late composition4 ,it is said to be a ,persian word2 it occurs1 however1 ,nehemiah ii4 #h2 ,canticles iv4 #aj4 ,the word admits of ,semitic derivation1 from 1 #8to divide1' #8cut off in portions1' #8lay out4' ,if it be really an exotic1 no date of introduction is more probable than that of ,solomon4 ,it is also to be noted that in the context it follows the word #8gardens1' which is quite natural if it were intended to denote a foreign luxury recently introduced4 ,page #ae1 ,,notes4 ,at end of ,note on verse #ab add3 ,this most obscure passage may perhaps receive some light from a further discussion of the word and other forms derived from the same root4 ,the feminine or abstract occurs ,genesis xxxv4 #af1 xlviii4 #g1 and #b ,kings v4 #ai1 joined with 1 rendered in the ,authorized ,version a #8little' way4 ,the verb occurs in hiphil1 ,job xxxv4 #af1 xxxvi4 #ca1 translated #8multiplied1' #8in abundance2' and in the hiphil form1 with the characteristic jud inserted,job viii4 #b1 xv4 #aj1 etc42 ,isaiah x4 #ac1 xvii4 #ab1 etc4in the sense of #8full of years1' #8overflowing1' and the like4 ,a diligent comparison of these meanings shows that #8fulness1' in the sense of #8completeness1' must be the root-meaning2 and hence1 when applied to time1 the ,,lxx4 render 1 #8already4' ,with this meaning agree also the ,arabic and ,syriac1 see ,fuerst1 ,lexicon1 s4 voc4 ,the meaning then of the word is1 the #8complete present4' ,with regard to the use of the root in the sense of counsel1 it occurs once in ,hebrew1 viz4 ,nehemiah v4 #g1 and once in biblical ,chaldee1 ,daniel iv4 #bg 7#bd74 ,this meaning is common1 as remarked in the note1 in ,aramaic4 ,the fair inference from this is1 that the root-meaning of the ,hebrew word is #8to counsel1' just as the root-meaning of the word ,apostle is #8one sent4' ,these senses are just what the context requires4 ,koheleth turns round to see wisdom in comparison with1 or contradistinction to1 false hopes and false prudence1 and asks how the man1 that is1 humanity1 can tell the one from the other4 ,his words are #8what is1' not #8who is the man1' etc41 equivalent to#8in what way can humanity enter upon the results of the counsel1' #8or the king1'the equivoke being1 we believe1 intentional1 and the contracted relative giving a conditional turn to the sentence#8with respect to that which at present he performs it4' ,it would have been better if the word with had been printed in the notes with a small letter1 as the division hardly amounts to a period1 though the connexion is not close4 ,the suffix of the verb refers back through the relative pronoun to counsel1 and might be well rendered into ,english thus#8,in respect of which he at present takes that counsel4' ,the ,,lxx41 contrary to their custom1 omit 1 because it is perhaps sufficiently included in 1 or because would not have been intelligible4 ,it is evident this all squares with the context4 ,koheleth1 as ,solomon1 discovered that with all his wisdom he could not practically discern the difference between this true wisdom and that false prudence which led him to accumulate only to be disappointed in his successor4 ,page #ai1 ,,notes4 ,at end of ,note on verse #be add3 ,the phrase requires further elucidation4 ,the reading 1 supported by the ,,lxx41 is also confirmed by ,hebrew ,,mss4 ,the literal rendering is#8and who hastens outside him4' ,this the ,,lxx4 translate 1 #8who drinks1' etc4 ,there is a reading of ,a1 1 #8spares4' ,the former is supported by ,peshito1 ,arabic1 and ,theodotionthe latter by ,aquila1 ,symmachus1 and ,jerome4 ,if the ,greek text alone had to be considered1 would1 as the harder reading1 be entitled to the preference4 ,it is readily seen1 however1 that it arose from a conjectural alteration of the ,hebrew text into 1 for which there is no authority2 neither will the meaning to #8spare' make any sense in the context4 ,as the root occurs frequently1 we are driven to the conclusion that the rendering of the ,,lxx4 was by design4 ,schleusner's conjecture that is used in the signification of #8sensibus frui1' is no doubt correctcompare ,habakkuk i4 #h1 as also ,isaiah xxviii4 #af4 ,considered as ad sensum1 this rendering gives the idea of the ,hebrew text correctly4 ,,printed ,,by ,t4 ,,and ,a4 ,,constable1 ,,printers ,,to ,,her ,,majesty1 ,,at ,,the ,,edinburgh ,,university ,,press4 ,catalogue4 ,a ,,selection ,,from ,,the ,,books ,,published ,,during #ahfi1 #ahgj1 #ahga1 ,,and #ahgb1 ,,by ,,messrs4 ,,rivington1 ,,high ,,street1 ,,oxford2 ,,trinity ,,street1 ,,cambridge2 ,,waterloo ,,place1 ,,london4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,church ,,law4 ,being an exposition of the ,legal ,rights and ,duties of the ,clergy and ,laity of the ,church of ,england4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a41 ,f4,s4,a4 ,revised by ,,walter ,g4 ,f4 ,,phillimore1 ,b4,c4,l41 ,barrister-at-,law1 and ,chancellor of the ,diocese of ,lincoln4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,we have tested this work on various points of a crucial character1 and have found it very accurate and full in its information4 ,it embodies the results of the most recent acts of the ,legislature on the clerical profession and the rights of the laity40,,standard4 8,already in our leading columns we have directed attention to ,messrs4 ,blunt and ,phillimore's #8,book of ,church ,law1' as an excellent manual for ordinary use4 ,it is a book which should stand on every clergyman's shelves ready for use when any legal matter arises about which its possessor is in doubt4444 ,it is to be hoped that the authorities at our ,theological ,colleges sufficiently recognize the value of a little legal knowledge on the part of the clergy to recommend this book to their students4 ,it would serve admirably as the text-book for a set of lectures1 and we trust we shall hear that its publication has done something to encourage the younger clergy to make themselves masters of at least the general outlines of ,ecclesiastical ,law1 as it relates to the ,church of ,england40,,church ,,times4 8,there is a copious index1 and the whole volume forms a ,handy-book of ,church ,law down to the present time1 which1 if found on the library shelves of most of the clergy1 would often save them from much unnecessary trouble1 vexation1 and expense40,,national ,,church4 ,,thoughts ,,on ,,personal ,,religion2 being a ,treatise on the ,christian ,life in its ,two ,chief ,elements1 ,devotion and ,practice4 ,by ,,edward ,,meyrick ,,goulburn1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,norwich4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 #f;d4 ,an ,edition for ,presentation1 ,two ,volumes1 small #hvo4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,also1 a cheap ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,pursuit ,,of ,,holiness3 a ,sequel to 8,thoughts on ,personal ,religion10 intended to carry the ,reader somewhat farther onward in the ,spiritual ,life4 ,by ,,edward ,,meyrick ,,goulburn1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,norwich1 and formerly one of ,her ,majesty's ,chaplains in ,ordinary4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #es4 ,,the ,,star ,,of ,,childhood4 ,a ,first ,book of ,prayers and ,instruction for ,children4 ,compiled by a ,priest4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,,carter1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,clewer1 ,berks4 ,with ,six ,illustrations1 reduced from ,engravings by ,,fra ,,angelico4 ,royal #afmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,all the ,instructions1 all of the ,hymns1 and most of the ,prayers here are excellent4 ,and when we use the cautionary expression #8most of the1' c41 we do not mean to imply that all the prayers are not excellent in themselves1 but only to express a doubt whether in some cases they may not be a little too elaborate for children4 ,of course it by no means follows that when you use a book you are to use equally every portion of it3 what does not suit one may suit a score of others1 and this book is clearly compiled on the comprehensive principle4 ,but to give a veracious verdict on the book it is needful to mention this4 ,we need hardly say that it is well worth buying1 and of a very high order of merit40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,messrs4 ,rivington have sent us a manual of prayers for children1 called #8,the ,star of ,childhood1' edited by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,carter1 a very full collection1 including instruction as well as devotion1 and a judicious selection of hymns40,,church ,,review4 8,the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,carter1 of ,clewer1 has put forth a much needed and excellent book of devotions for little children1 called #8,the ,star of ,childhood4' ,we think it fair to tell our readers1 that in it they will find that for children who have lost a near relative a short commemorative prayer is provided2 but we most earnestly hope that even by those who are not willing to accept this usage1 the book will not be rejected1 for it is a most valuable one40,,monthly ,,packet4 8,one amongst the books before us deserves especial notice1 entitled #8,the ,star of ,childhood1' and edited by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,carter3 it is eminently adapted for a ,new ,year's ,gift4 ,it is a manual of prayer for children1 with hymns1 litanies1 and instructions4 ,some of the hymns are illustrative of our ,lord's life2 and to these are added reduced copies from engravings of ,fra ,angelico40,,penny ,,post4 8,supposing a child to be capable of using a devotional manual1 the book before us is1 in its general structure1 as good an attempt to meet the want as could have been put forth4 ,in the first place it succeeds1 where so many like efforts fail1 in the matter of simplicity4 ,the language is quite within the compass of a young child2 that is to say1 it is such as a young child can be made to understand2 for we do not suppose that the book is intended to be put directly into his hands1 but through the hands of an instructor40,,church ,,bells4 8,to the same hand which gave us the #8,treasury of ,devotion' we are indebted for this beautiful little manual for children4 ,beginning with prayers suited to the comprehension of the youngest1 it contains devotions1 litanies1 hymns1 and instructions1 carefully proportioned to the gradually increasing powers of a child's mind from the earliest years1 until confirmation4 ,this little book cannot fail to influence for good the impressible hearts of children1 and we hope that ere long it will be in the hands of all those who are blessed with ,catholic-minded parents4 ,it is beautifully got up1 and is rendered more attractive by the capital engravings of ,fra ,angelico's pictures of scenes of our ,lord's childhood4 ,god-parents could scarcely find a more appropriate gift for their ,god-children than this1 or one that is more likely to lead them to a knowledge of the truth40,,church ,,union ,,gazette4 8#8,the ,star of ,childhood' is a first book of ,prayers and instruction for children1 compiled by a ,priest1 and edited by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,carter1 rector of ,clever4 ,it is a very careful compilation1 and the name of its editor is a warrant for its devotional tone40,,guardian4 8,a handsomely got up and attractive volume1 with several good illustrations from ,fra ,angelico's most famous paintings40,,union ,,review4 ,,by ,,the ,,same ,,compiler ,,and ,,editor4 ,,the ,,treasury ,,of ,,devotion3 ,a ,manual pf ,prayers for ,general and ,daily ,use4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,imperial #cbmo1 #bs4 #f;d42 limp cloth1 #bs4 ,bound with the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,life3 ,a ,book of ,prayers and ,instruction for the ,young 7at ,school74 ,imperial #cbmo1 #as4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,guide ,,to ,,heaven3 ,a ,book of ,prayers for every ,want4 ,for the ,working ,classes4 ,new ,edition4 ,imperial #cbmo1 #as4 #f;d42 limp cloth1 #as4 ,the ,edition in large type may still be had4 ,crown #hvo1 #as4 #f;d42 limp cloth1 #as4 ,,the ,,path ,,of ,,holiness3 ,a ,first ,book of ,prayers1 with the ,service of the ,holy ,communion1 for the ,young4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #afmo1 #as4 #f;d42 limp cloth1 #as4 ,,lectures ,,on ,,the ,,reunion ,,of ,,the ,,churches4 ,by ,,john ,j4 ,,ign4 ,,von ,d,,llinger1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,professor of ,ecclesiastical ,history in the ,university of ,munich1 ,provost of the ,chapel-,royal1 c4 c4 ,authorized ,translation1 with ,preface by ,,henry ,,nutcombe ,,oxenham1 ,m4,a41 late ,scholar of ,balliol ,college1 ,oxford4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 8444 ,marked by all the author's well-known1 varied learning1 breadth of view1 and outspoken spirit4 ,the momentous question which the ,doctor discusses has long occupied the thoughts of some of the most earnest and enlightened divines in all branches of the ,christian communion1 though wide apart in other points of belief and practice4 ,on the infinite importance of reunion among ,christian ,churches in their endeavour to evangelize the yet remaining two-thirds of the human racestrangers to any form of ,christianitythe author enlarges with power and eloquence2 and this topic is one of unusual and lasting interest1 though1 of course1 only one among a host of others equally important and equally well discussed40,,standard4 duplicated word removed 8a0 8,in the present state of thought respecting the union of the ,churches1 these ,lectures will be welcomed by very many persons of different schools of religious thought4 ,they are not the hasty words of an enthusiast1 but the calm1 well-considered1 and carefully prepared writings of one whose soul is profoundly moved by his great subject4 ,they form a contribution to the literature of this grave question1 valuable alike for its breadth of historical survey1 its fairness1 the due regard paid to existing obstacles1 and the practical character of its suggestions40,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 ,,brighstone ,,sermons4 ,by ,,george ,,moberly1 ,d4,c4,l41 ,bishop of ,salisbury4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,sayings ,,of ,,the ,,great ,,forty ,,days1 ,between the ,resurrection and ,ascension1 regarded as the ,outlines of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,in ,five ,discourses4 ,with an ,examination of ,dr4 ,newman's ,theory of ,development4 ,by ,,george ,,moberly1 ,d4,c4,l41 ,bishop of ,salisbury4 ,fourth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,warnings ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,week1 c4 ,being a ,course of ,parochial ,lectures for the ,week before ,easter and the ,easter ,festivals4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,adams1 ,m4,a41 late ,vicar of ,st4 ,peter's-in-the-,east1 ,oxford1 and ,fellow of ,merton ,college4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,self-,,renunciation4 ,from the ,french4 ,with ,introduction by the ,rev4 ,t4 ,t4 ,,carter1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,clewer4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 8,it is excessively difficult to review or criticise1 in detail1 a book of this kind1 and yet its abounding merits1 its practicalness1 its searching good sense and thoroughness1 and its frequent beauty1 too1 make us wish to do something more than announce its publication4444 ,the style is eminently clear1 free from redundance and prolixity40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,few save ,religious and those brought into immediate contact with them are1 in all probability1 acquainted with the ,french treatise of ,guillor1 a portion of which is now1 for the first time we believe1 done into ,english4444 ,hence the suitableness of such a book as this for those who1 in the midst of their families1 are endeavouring to advance in the spiritual life4 ,hundreds of devout souls living in the world have been encouraged and helped by such books as ,dr4 ,neale's #8,sermons preached in a ,religious ,house4' ,for such the present work will be found appropriate1 while for ,religious themselves it will be invaluable40,,church ,,times4 ,,the ,,origin ,,and ,,development ,,of ,,religious ,,belief4 ,by ,s4 ,,baring-,,gould1 ,m4,a41 ,author of 8,curious ,myths of the ,middle ,ages40 ,volume ,i4 ,,monotheism and ,,polytheism4 ,second ,edition4 #hvo4 #aes4 ,volume ,,ii4 ,,christianity4 #hvo4 #aes4 ,,the ,,hidden ,,life ,,of ,,the ,,soul4 ,from the ,french4 ,by the ,author of 8,a ,dominican ,artist10 8,life of ,madame ,louise de ,france10 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 8#8,the ,hidden ,life of the ,soul1' by the author of #8,a ,dominican ,artist1' is from the writings of ,father ,grou1 a ,french refugee priest of #agib1 who died at ,lulworth4 ,it well deserves the character given it of being #8earnest and sober1' and not #8sensational4'0,,guardian4 8,there is a wonderful charm about these readingsso calm1 so true1 so thoroughly ,christian4 ,we do not know where they would come amiss4 ,as materials for a consecutive series of meditations for the faithful at a series of early celebrations they would be excellent1 or for private reading during ,advent or ,lent40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,from the ,french of ,jean ,nicolas ,grou1 a pious ,priest1 whose works teach resignation to the ,divine will4 ,he loved1 we are told1 to inculcate simplicity1 freedom from all affectation and unreality1 the patience and humility which are too surely grounded in self-knowledge to be surprised at a fall1 but withal so allied to confidence in ,god as to make recovery easy and sure4 ,this is the spirit of the volume which is intended to furnish advice to those who would cultivate a quiet1 meek1 and childlike spirit40,,public ,,opinion4 ,a ,,dominican ,,artist2 a ,sketch of the ,life of the ,rev4 ,pre ,besson1 of the ,order of ,st4 ,dominic4 ,by the ,author of the 8,the ,tales of ,kirkbeck10 8,the ,life of ,madame ,louise de ,france10 c4 ,new ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 8,the author of the ,life of ,pre ,besson writes with a grace and refinement of devotional feeling peculiarly suited to a subject-matter which suffers beyond most others from any coarseness of touch4 ,it would be difficult to find #8the simplicity and purity of a holy life' more exquisitely illustrated than in ,father ,besson's career1 both before and after his joining the ,dominican ,order under the auspices of ,lacordaire4444 ,certainly we have never come across what could more strictly be termed in the truest sense #8the life of a beautiful soul4' ,the author has done well in presenting to ,english readers this singularly graceful biography1 in which all who can appreciate genuine simplicity and nobleness of ,christian character will find to admire and little or nothing to condemn40,,saturday ,,review4 8,it would indeed have been a deplorable omission had so exquisite a biography been by any neglect lost to ,english readers1 and had character so perfect in its simple and complete devotion been withheld from our admiration4444 ,but we have dwelt too long already on this fascinating book1 and must now leave it to our readers40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,a beautiful and most interesting sketch of the late ,pre ,besson1 an artist who forsook the easel for the altar40,,church ,,times4 8,a book which is as pleasant for reading as it is profitable for meditation40,,union ,,review4 8,whatever a reader may think of ,pre ,besson's profession as a monk1 no one will doubt his goodness2 no one can fail to profit who will patiently read his life1 as here written by a friend1 whose sole defect is in being slightly unctuous40,,athen,,um4 8,the life of the ,rev4 ,pre ,besson1 who gave up an artist's career1 to which he was devotedly attached1 and a mother whose affection for him is not inaptly likened to that of ,monica for ,st4 ,augustine1 must be read in its entirety to be rightly appreciated4 ,and the whole tenour of the book is too devotional1 too full of expressions of the most touching dependence on ,god1 to make criticism possible1 even if it was called for1 which it is not40,,john ,,bull4 8,the story of ,pre ,besson's life is one of much interest1 and told with simplicity1 candour1 and good feeling40,,spectator4 8,a beautiful book1 describing the most saintly and very individual life of one of the companions of ,lacordaire40,,monthly ,,packet4 8,we strongly recommend it to our readers4 ,it is a charming biography1 that will delight and edify both old and young40,,westminster ,,gazette4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,madame ,,louise ,,de ,,france1 daughter of ,louis ,,xv4 ,known also as the ,mother ,trse de ,st4 ,augustine4 ,by the ,author of 8,tales of ,kirkbeck40 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 8,on the #aeth of ,july #agcg1 ,marie ,leczinska1 the wife of ,louis ,,xv41 and daughter of the dethroned ,king of ,poland1 which ,prussia helped to despoil and plunder1 gave birth to her eighth female child1 ,louise ,marie1 known also as the ,mother ,trse de ,st4 ,augustin4 ,on the death of the ,queen1 the princess1 who had long felt a vocation for a religious life1 obtained the consent of her royal father to withdraw from the world4 ,the ,carmelite convent of ,st4 ,denis was the chosen place of retreat4 ,here the novitiate was passed1 here the final vows were taken1 and here1 on the death of the ,mre ,julie1 ,madame ,louise began and terminated her experiences as prioress4 ,the little volume which records the simple incidents of her pious seclusion is designed to edify those members of the ,church of ,england in whom the spirit of religious self-devotion is reviving40,,westminster ,,review4 8,the annals of a cloistered life1 under ordinary circumstances1 would not probably be considered very edifying by the reading public of the present generation4 ,when1 however1 such a history presents the novel spectacle of a royal princess of modern times voluntarily renouncing her high position and the splendours of a court existence1 for the purpose of enduring the asceticism1 poverty1 and austerities of a severe monastic rule1 the case may well be different40,,morning ,,post4 ,,henri ,,perreyve4 ,by ,a4 ,,gratry1 ,prtre de l',oratoire1 ,professeur de ,morale ,evanglique la ,sorbonne1 et ,membre de l',acadmie ,franaise4 ,translated1 by special permission1 by the ,author of 8,a ,dominican ,artist10 8,life of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales10 c41 c4 ,with ,portrait4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8444 ,a most touching and powerful piece of biography1 interspersed with profound reflections on personal religion1 and on the prospects of ,christianity4444 ,for priests this book is a treasure4 ,the moral of it is the absolute necessity of #8recollectedness' to the higher1 and especially the true priestly life40,,church ,,review4 8,the works of the translator of ,henri ,perreyve from1 for the most part1 a series of saintly biographies which have obtained a larger share of popularity than is generally accorded to books of this description4444 ,the description of his last days will probably be read with greater interest than any other part of the book2 presenting as it does an example of fortitude under suffering1 and resignation1 when cutoff so soon after entering upon a much-coveted and useful career1 of rare occurrence in this age of self-assertion4 ,this is1 in fact1 the essential teaching of the entire volume4444 ,the translator of the ,abb ,gratry's work has done well in giving ,english readers an opportunity of profiting by its lessons40,,morning ,,post4 8form0 replaced with 8from0 8,those who take a pleasure in reading a beautiful account of a beautiful character would do well to procure the ,life of #8,henri ,perreyve4'444 ,we would especially recommend the book for the perusal of ,english priests1 who may learn many a holy lesson from the devoted spirit in which the subject of the memoir gave himself up to the duties of his sacred office1 and to this cultivation of the graces with which he was endowed40,,church ,,times4 8,it is easy to see that ,henri ,perreyve1 ,professor of ,moral ,theology at the ,sorbonne1 was a ,roman ,catholic priest of no ordinary type4 ,with comparatively little of what ,protestants call superstition1 with great courage and sincerity1 with a nature singularly guileless and noble1 his priestly vocation1 although pursued1 according to his biographer1 with unbridled zeal1 did not stifle his human sympathies and aspirations4 ,he could not believe that his faith compelled him #8to renounce sense and reason1' or that a priest was not free to speak1 act1 and think like other men4 ,indeed1 the ,abb ,gratry makes a kind of apology for his friend's free-speaking in this respect1 and endeavours to explain it4 ,perreyve was the beloved disciple of ,lacordaire1 who left him all his manuscripts1 notes1 and papers1 and he himself attained the position of a great pulpit orator40,,pall ,,mall ,,gazette4 ,,the ,,last ,,days ,,of ,p,,re ,,gratry4 ,by ,,pere ,,adolphe ,,perraud1 of the ,oratory1 and ,professor of ,la ,sorbonne4 ,translated by special permission4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,s4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,prince ,,of ,,geneva4 ,by the ,author of 8,a ,dominican ,artist10 8,life of ,madame ,louise de ,france10 c41 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #is4 8,it is written with the delicacy1 freshness1 and absence of all affectation which characterised the former works by the same hand1 and which render these books so very much more pleasant reading than are religious biographies in general4 ,the character of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales1 ,bishop of ,geneva1 is a charming one2 a more simple1 pure1 and pious life it would be difficult to conceive4 ,his unaffected humility1 his freedom from dogmatism in an age when dogma was placed above religion1 his freedom from bigotry in an age of persecution1 were alike admirable40,,standard4 8,the author of #8,a ,dominican ,artist1' in writing this new life of the wise and loving ,bishop and ,prince of ,geneva1 has aimed less at historical or ecclesiastical investigation than at a vivid and natural representation of the inner mind and life of the subject of his biography1 as it can be traced in his own writings and in those of his most intimate and affectionate friends4 ,the book is written with the grave and quiet grace which characterises the productions of its author1 and cannot fail to please those readers who can sympathise with all forms of goodness and devotion to noble purpose40,,westminster ,,review4 8,a book which contains the record of a life as sweet1 pure1 and noble as any man by divine help1 granted to devout sincerity of soul1 has been permitted to live upon earth4 ,the example of this gentle but resolute and energetic spirit1 wholly dedicated to the highest conceivable good1 offering itself1 with all the temporal uses of mental existence1 to the service of infinite and eternal beneficence1 is extremely touching4444 ,it is a book worthy of acceptance40,,daily ,,news4 8,it is not a translation or adaptation1 but an original work1 and a very charming portrait of one of the most winning characters in the long gallery of ,saints4 ,and it is a matter of thankfulness to us to find a distinctively ,anglican writer setting forward the good ,bishop's work among ,protestants1 as a true missionary task to reclaim souls from deadly error1 and bring them back to the truth40,,union ,,review4 ,,the ,,spirit ,,of ,s4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,prince ,,of ,,geneva4 ,translated from the ,french by the ,author of 8,the ,life of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales10 8,a ,dominican ,artist10 c41 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 ,a ,,selection ,,from ,,the ,,spiritual ,,letters ,,of ,s4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales1 ,,bishop ,,and ,,prince ,,of ,,geneva4 ,translated by the ,author of 8,life of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales10 8,a ,dominican ,artist10 c4 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 8,it is a collection of epistolary correspondence of rare interest and excellence4 ,with those who have read the ,life1 there cannot but have been a strong desire to know more of so beautiful a character as ,s4 ,francis de ,sales4 ,he was a model of ,christian saintliness and religious virtue for all time1 and one everything relating to whom1 so great were the accomplishments of his mind as well as the devotion of his heart1 has a charm which delights1 instructs1 and elevates40,,church ,,herald4 8,a few months back we had the pleasure of welcoming the ,life of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales4 ,here is the promised sequel3the #8,selection from his ,spiritual ,letters' then announced3and a great boon it will be to many4 ,the ,letters are addressed to people of all sorts3to men and to women3to laity and to ecclesiastics1 to people living in the world1 or at court1 and to the inmates of ,religious ,houses4 ,and what an idea it gives one of the widely ramifying influence of one good man and of the untiring diligence of a man1 who in spite of all his external duties1 could find or make the time for all these letters4 ,we hope that with our readers it may be totally needless to urge such a volume on their notice40,,literary ,,churchman4 ,,consolatio2 or1 ,comfort for the ,afflicted4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,e4 ,,kennaway4 ,with a ,preface by ,,samuel ,,wilberforce1 ,d4,d41 ,lord ,bishop of ,winchester4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 8,a charming collection from the best writers of passages suitable in seasons of sickness and afflictions40,,church ,,review4 8,a very valuable collection of extracts from writers of every school4 ,the volume is an elegant one40,,church ,,times4 8,a very useful collection of devotional extracts from the histories of good men of very various schools of thought40,,john ,,bull4 8,we are bound to admire the extreme beauty and the warm devotion of the majority of passages here collected to smooth the soul that sorrows1 even though penned by men from whom we differ so much in doctrine40,,rock4 8,a work which we feel sure will find a welcome and also prove a soothing guest in the chamber of many an invalid40,,record4 ,a ,,book ,,of ,,family ,,prayer4 ,compiled by ,,walter ,,farquhar ,,hook1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,chichester4 ,eighth ,edition4 #ahmo4 #bs4 ,,family ,,prayers4 ,compiled from various ,sources 7chiefly from ,bishop ,hamilton's ,manual71 and arranged on the ,liturgical ,principle4 ,by ,,edward ,,meyrick ,,goulburn1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,norwich4 ,new ,edition4 ,large type4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,cheap ,edition1 #afmo4 #as4 ,a ,,manual ,,of ,,confirmation1 ,comprising#a4 ,a ,general ,account of the ,ordinance4 #b4 ,the ,baptismal ,vow1 and the ,english ,order of ,confirmation1 with ,short ,notes1 ,critical and ,devotional4 #c4 ,meditations and ,prayers on ,passages of ,holy ,scripture1 in connexion with the ,ordinance4 ,with a ,pastoral ,letter instructing ,catechumens how to prepare themselves for their first ,communion4 ,by ,,edward ,,meyrick ,,goulburn1 ,d4,d41 ,dean of ,norwich4 ,ninth ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #as4 #f;d4 ,,directorium ,,pastorale4 ,the ,principles and ,practice of ,pastoral ,work in the ,church of ,england4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a41 ,f4,s4,a41 ,editor of 8,the ,annotated ,book of ,common ,prayer10 c4 c4 ,third ,edition1 revised4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,this is the third edition of a work which has become deservedly popular as the best extant exposition of the principles and practice of the pastoral work in the ,church of ,england4 ,its hints and suggestions are based on practical experience1 and it is further recommended by the majority of our ,bishops at the ordination of priests and deacons40,,standard4 8,its practical usefulness to the parochial clergy is proved by the acceptance it has already received at their hands1 and no faithful parish priest1 who is working in real earnest for the extension of spiritual instruction amongst all classes of his flock will rise from the perusal of its pages without having obtained some valuable hints as to the best mode of bringing home our ,church's system to the hearts of his people40,,national ,,church4 ,,the ,,shepherd ,,of ,,hermas4 ,translated into ,english1 with an ,introduction and ,notes4 ,by ,,charles ,h4 ,,hoole1 ,m4,a41 ,senior ,student of ,christ ,church1 ,oxford4 ,small #hvo4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,hymns ,,and ,,poems ,,for ,,the ,,sick ,,and ,,suffering4 ,in connexion with the ,service for the ,visitation of the ,sick4 ,selected from various ,authors4 ,edited by ,t4 ,v4 ,,fosbery1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,st4 ,giles's1 ,reading4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the 8,,damnatory ,,clauses0 ,,of ,,the ,,athanasian ,,creed ,,rationally ,,explained1 ,,in ,a ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,right ,,hon4 ,w4 ,e4 ,,gladstone1 ,m4,p4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,malcolm ,,maccoll1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,st4 ,george1 ,botolph ,lane4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 ,a ,,glossary ,,of ,,ecclesiastical ,,terms4 ,containing ,brief ,explanations of ,words used in ,theology1 ,liturgiology1 ,chronology1 ,law1 ,architecture1 ,antiquities1 ,symbolism1 ,greek ,hierology and ,medival ,latin2 together with some account of ,titles of our ,lord1 ,emblems of ,saints1 ,hymns1 ,orders1 ,heresies1 ,ornaments1 ,offices1 ,vestments and ,ceremonial1 and ,miscellaneous ,subjects4 ,by ,various ,writers4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,orby ,,shipley1 ,m4,a4 ,crown #hvo4 #ahs4 ,,ancient ,,hymns4 ,from the ,roman ,breviary4 ,for ,domestic ,use every ,morning and ,evening of the ,week1 and on the ,holy ,days of the ,church4 ,to which are added1 ,original ,hymns1 principally of ,commemoration and ,thanksgiving for ,christ's ,holy ,ordinances4 ,by ,,richard ,,mant1 ,d4,d41 sometime ,lord ,bishop of ,down and ,connor4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #es4 8,real poetry wedded to words that breathe the purest and the sweetest spirit of ,christian devotion4 ,the translation from the old ,latin ,hymnal are close and faithful renderings40,,standard4 8,as a ,hymn writer ,bishop ,mant deservedly occupies a prominent place in the esteem of ,churchmen1 and we doubt not that many will be the readers who will welcome this new edition of his translations and original compositions40,,english ,,churchman4 8,a new edition of ,bishop ,mant's #8,ancient ,hymns from the ,roman ,breviary' forms a handsome little volume1 and it is interesting to compare some of these translations with the more modern ones of our own day4 ,while we have no hesitation in awarding the palm to the latter1 the former are an evidence of the earliest germs of that yearning of the devout mind for something better than ,tate and ,brady1 and which know so richly supplied40,,church ,,times4 8,this valuable manual will be of great assistance to all compilers of ,hymn-,books4 ,the translations are graceful1 clear1 and forcible1 and the original hymns deserve the highest praise4 ,bishop ,mant has caught the very spirit of true psalmody1 his metre flows musically1 and there is a tuneful ring in his verses which especially adapts them for congregational singing40,,rock4 ,,yesterday1 ,,to-,,day1 ,,and ,,for ,,ever3 ,a ,poem in ,twelve ,books4 ,by ,e4 ,h4 ,,bickersteth1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,christ ,church1 ,hampstead4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 8,the most simple1 the richest1 and the most perfect sacred poem which recent days have produced40,,morning ,,advertiser4 8,a poem worth reading1 worthy of attentive study2 full of noble thoughts1 beautiful diction1 and high imagination40,,standard4 8,mr4 ,bickersteth writes like a man who cultivates at once reverence and earnestness of thought40,,guardian4 8,in these light miscellany days there is a spiritual refreshment in the spectacle of man girding up the loins of his mind to the task of producing a genuine epic4 ,and it is true poetry4 ,there is a definiteness1 a crispness about it1 which in these moist1 viewy1 hazy days is no less invigorating than novel40,,edinburgh ,,daily ,,review4 8in0 replaced with 8is0 ,,the ,,two ,,brothers1 and other ,poems4 ,by ,,edward ,,henry ,,bickersteth1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,christ ,church1 ,hampstead1 and ,chaplain to the ,bishop of ,ripon1 ,author of 8,yesterday1 ,to-day1 and for ,ever40 ,second ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 ,a ,,handy ,,book ,,of ,,the ,,ecclesiastical ,,dilapidations ,,act1 #ahga4 ,with the ,amendment ,act1 #ahgb4 ,with ,remarks on the ,qualification and ,practice of ,diocesan ,surveyors4 ,by ,,edward ,g4 ,,bruton1 ,f4,r4,i4,b4,a41 and ,diocesan ,surveyor1 ,oxford4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,stones ,,of ,,the ,,temple2 ,,or1 ,,lessons ,,from ,,the ,,fabric ,,and ,,furniture ,,of ,,the ,,church4 ,by ,,walter ,,field1 ,m4,a41 ,f4,s4,a41 ,vicar of ,godmersham4 ,with numerous ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,anyone who wishes for simple information on the subjects of ,church-architecture and furniture1 cannot do better than consult #8,stones of the ,temple4' ,mr4 ,field modestly disclaims any intention of supplanting the existing regular treatises1 but his book shows an amount of research1 and a knowledge of what he is talking about1 which make it practically useful as well as pleasant4 ,the wood-cuts are numerous and some of them very pretty40,,graphic4 8,a very charming book1 by the ,rev4 ,walter ,field1 who was for years ,secretary of one of the leading ,church ,societies4 ,mr4 ,field has a loving reverence for the beauty of the domus mansionalis ,dei1 as the old law books called the ,parish ,church4444 ,thoroughly sound in ,church feeling1 ,mr4 ,field has chosen the medium of a tale to embody real incidents illustrative of the various portions of his subject4 ,there is no attempt at elaboration of the narrative1 which1 indeed1 is rather a string of anecdotes than a story1 but each chapter brings home to the mind its own lesson1 and each is illustrated with some very interesting engravings4444 ,the work will properly command a hearty reception from ,churchmen4 ,the footnotes are occasionally most valuable1 and are always pertinent1 and the text is sure to be popular with young folks for ,sunday reading40,,standard4 8,mr4 ,field's chapters on brasses1 chancel screens1 crosses1 encaustic tiles1 mural paintings1 porches and pavements1 are agreeably written1 and people with a turn for ,ritualism will no doubt find them edifying4 ,the volume1 as we have said1 is not without significance for readers who are unable to sympathize with the object of the writer4 ,the illustrations of ,church-architecture and ,church ornaments are very attractive40,,pall ,,mall ,,gazette4 ,a ,,shadow ,,of ,,dante4 ,being an ,essay towards ,studying ,himself1 his ,world1 and his ,pilgrimage4 ,by ,,maria ,,francesca ,,rossetti4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,crown #hvo4 #ajs4 #f;d4 8,the #8,shadow of ,dante' is a well-conceived and inviting volume1 designed to recommend the #8,divina ,commedia' to ,english readers1 and to facilitate the study and comprehension of its contents40,,athrn,,um4 8,and it is in itself a true work of art1 a whole finely conceived1 and carried out with sustained power1one of those reproductions and adumbrations of great works1 in which mere servile copying disappears1 and which are only possible to a mind which1 however inferior to its original1 is yet of the same order and temperament1 with an unusual faculty for taking the impressions of that original and reflecting them undimmed4 ,it is much to say of a volume like this4 ,but it is not too much to say1 when1 after going through it1 we consider the thorough knowledge of the subject shown in it1 the patient skill with which the intricate and puzzling arrangements of the poem1 full of what we call the conceits and puzzles of the contemporary philosophy1 are unravelled and made intelligible2 the discrimination and high principle with which so ardent a lover of the great poet blames his excesses2 the high and noble ,christian faith which responds to his2 and1 lastly1 the gift of eloquent speech1 keen1 rich1 condensed1 expressive1 which seems to have passed into the writer from the loving study of the greatest master in his own tongue of all the inimitable harmonies of languagethe tenderest1 the deepest1 the most awful40,,guardian4 8,the work introduces us not merely to the author's life and the political and ecclesiastical conjunctures under which he lived1 but to the outlines of the ,catholicised systems of ethics1 astronomy1 and geography which he interpreted in classifying his spirits and assigning them their dwellings2 as also to the drift of his leading allegories2 and finally1 to the general conduct of his poemwhich is amply illustrated by citations from the most literal verse translations4 ,we find the volume furnished with useful diagrams of the ,dantesque universe1 of ,hell1 ,purgatory1 and the #8,rose of the ,blessed1' and adorned with a beautiful group of the likenesses of the poet1 and with symbolic figures 7on the binding7 in which the taste and execution of ,mr4 ,d4 ,g4 ,rossetti will be recognised4 ,the exposition appears to us remarkably well arranged and digested2 the author's appreciation of ,dante's religious sentiments and opinions is peculiarly hearty1 and her style refreshingly independent and original40,,pall ,,mall ,,gazette4 8,it bears traces throughout of having been due to a patient1 loving and appreciative study of the great poet1 as he is exhibited1 not merely in the #8,divina ,commedia1' but in his other writings4 ,the result has been a book which is not only delightful in itself to read1 but is admirably adapted as an encouragement to those students who wish to obtain a preliminary survey of the land before they attempt to follow ,dante through his long and arduous pilgrimage4 ,of all poets ,dante stands most in need of such assistance as this book offers40,,saturday ,,review4 ,,parish ,,musings2 ,,or1 ,,devotional ,,poems4 ,by ,,john ,s4 ,b4 ,,monsell1 ,,ll4,d41 ,rural ,dean1 and ,rector of ,st4 ,nicholas1 ,guildford4 ,fine ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #es4 ,cheap ,edition1 #ahmo1 limp cloth1 #as4 #f;d42 or in ,cover1 #as4 ,,the ,,life ,,of ,,justification4 ,a ,series of ,lectures delivered in ,substance at ,all ,saints'1 ,margaret ,street1 in ,lent1 #ahgj4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,george ,,body1 ,b4,a41 ,rector of ,kirkby ,misperton4 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #ds4 #f;d4 8,on the whole we have rarely met with a more clear1 intelligible and persuasive statement of the truth as regards the important topics on which the volume treats4 ,sermon ,,ii4 in particular1 will strike every one by its eloquence and beauty1 but we scarcely like to specify it1 lest in praising it we should seem to disparage the other portions of this admirable little work40,,church ,,times4 8,these discourses show that their author's position is due to something more and higher than mere fluency1 gesticulation1 and flexibility of voice4 ,he appears as having drunk deeply at the fountain of ,st4 ,augustine1 and as understanding how to translate the burning words of that mighty genius into the current language of to-day40,,union ,,review4 8,there is real power in these sermons3power1 real power1 and plenty of it4444 ,there is such a moral veraciousness about him1 such a profound and over-mastering belief that ,christ has proved a bona-fide cure for unholiness1 and such an intensity of eagerness to lead others to seek and profit by that means of attaining the true sanctity which alone can enter ,heaventhat we wonder not at the crowds which hang upon his preaching1 nor at the success of his fervid appeals to the human conscience4 ,if any one doubts our verdict1 let him buy this volume4 ,no one will regret its perusal40,,literary ,,churchman4 ,,sermons ,,on ,,special ,,occasions4 ,by ,,daniel ,,moore1 ,m4,a41 ,chaplain in ,ordinary to the ,queen1 and ,vicar of ,holy ,trinity1 ,paddington2 ,author of ,hulsean ,lectures on 8,the ,age and the ,gospel10 8,aids to ,prayer10 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,we do not wonder at ,mr4 ,moore's long continued popularity with so many hearers2 there is so much painstaking and so much genuine desire to discharge his duty as a preacher visible through all the volume4 ,what we miss is the deeper theology1 and the spontaneous flow of teaching as from a spring which cannot help flowing1 which some of our preachers happily exhibit4 ,but the ,sermons may be recommended1 or we would not notice them40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,rarely have we met with a better volume of ,sermons4444 ,orthodox1 affectionate1 and earnest1 these ,sermons exhibit at the same time much research1 and are distinguished by an elegance and finish of style often wanting in these days of rapid writing and continual preaching40,,john ,,bull4 8,sermons like those of ,mr4 ,moore are1 however1 still of comparative raritysermons in which we meet with doctrine which cannot be gainsaid2 with a knowledge of the peculiar circumstances of his hearers1 which nothing but accurate observation and long experience can secure1 and a peculiar felicity of style which many will envy1 but to which it is the lot of few to attain40,,christian ,,observer4 8,we have had real pleasure1 however1 in reading these sermons4 ,here are most of the elements of a preacher's power and usefulness3 skilful arrangement of the subject1 admirable clearness of style1 earnestness1 both of thought and language1 and the prime qualification of all1 #8in doctrine1 uncorruptness4'0,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 ,,the ,,knight ,,of ,,intercession1 ,,and ,,other ,,poems4 ,by the ,rev4 ,s4 ,j4 ,,stone1 ,m4,a41 ,pembroke ,college1 ,oxford4 ,second ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 8,mr4 ,stone has now given to the public a collection of poems1 widely different in form1 which enable us to measure more accurately his powers1 not merely as a hymnist1 but as a poet2 and though we would not injure a growing reputation by overstating his merits1 yet we can safely say that his volume contains much genuine poetry which will be read with unqualified pleasure4444 ,it would be ungrateful of us to put down this volume without expressing the great pleasure it has afforded us1 and our high appreciation of the valuable services which its author is rendering to the ,church40,,church ,,bells4 8444 ,we all know him so well as the author of the beautiful processional hymn #8,the ,church's ,one ,foundation1' the ,lenten hymn #8,weary of ,earth1' and other favourites1 that we were fully prepared for the pleasure that awaited us in perusing this volume40,,church ,,opinion4 8,the extracts we have thus given1 differing as they do alike in subject and in style1 present fair specimens of the varied interest of the volume1 and of the poetic powers of its author4 ,most of our readers1 we think1 will agree with us that the publication is well-timed1 and that it has much in it that is both pleasant and profitable reading40,,church ,,herald4 8,in the #8,knight of ,intercession' and other poems we have the outpourings of a pure and devotional spirit1 in language of unassuming and yet genuine poetry1 rising at times1 naturally and without effort1 to a quiet but real beauty40,,scotsman4 8,mr4 ,stone1 it is clear1 has studied all the best models1 and has been influenced by them2 but he maintains through all a distinctly individual note1 and gives us real music4444 ,there are true touches in the ,idylls1 and some of the poems on pictures are remarkably expressive and skilful1 though nothing is more difficult than the proper working out of such themes4 ,we like some of the sonnetssome of them are exceptionally sweet and finished40,,nonconformist4 ,,the ,,annual ,,register3 ,a ,review of ,public ,events at ,home and ,abroad1 for the ,year #ahgb4 #hvo4 #ahs4 ,all the ,volumes of the ,new ,series from #ahfc to #ahgb may be had1 #ahs4 each4 8,well edited1 excellent type1 good paper1 and in all respects admirably got up4 ,its review of affairs1 ,home1 ,colonial1 and ,foreign1 it fair1 concise1 and complete40,,mining ,,quarterly4 8,solidly valuable1 as well as interesting40,,standard4 8,comprehensive and well executed40,,spectator4 8,the whole work being well-written1 and compiled with care and judgment1 it is interesting reading for the present day1 will be more useful as a work of reference in future years1 and will be most valuable of all to readers of another generation4 ,every student of history knows the worth1 for the time that it covers1 of the old #8,annual ,register1' and this new series is better done and more comprehensive than its predecessor40,,examiner4 8,this volume of the new series of the #8,annual ,register' seems well and carefully compiled4 ,the narrative is accurate1 and it is obvious that the writers have striven to be impartial40,,athen,,um4 8,the whole of the compilation1 however1 is readable1 and some of its more important parts are very well done4 ,such is1 among other historical portions1 the account of the situation in ,france before and at the beginning of the war4 ,the narrative of the military events is clear1 comprehensive1 and attractive40,,nation 7,,new ,,york74 ,,historical ,,narratives4 ,from the ,russian4 ,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,romanoff1 ,author of 8,sketches of the ,rites and ,customs of the ,greco-,russian ,church10 c4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 ,,prayers ,,and ,,meditations ,,for ,,the ,,holy ,,communion4 ,with a ,preface by ,c4 ,j4 ,,ellicott1 ,d4,d41 ,lord ,bishop of ,gloucester and ,bristol4 ,with rubrics and borders in red4 ,royal #cbmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,devout beauty is the special character of this new manual1 and it ought to be a favourite4 ,rarely has it happened to us to meet with so remarkable a combination of thorough practicalness with that almost poetic warmth which is the highest flower of genuine devotion4 ,it deserves to be placed along with the manual edited by ,mr4 ,keble so shortly before his decease1 not as superseding it1 for the scope of the two is different1 but to be taken along with it4 ,nothing can exceed the beauty and fulness of the devotions before communion in ,mr4 ,keble's book1 but we think that in some points the devotions here given after ,holy ,communion are even superior to it40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,bishop ,ellicott has edited a book of #8,prayers and ,meditations for the ,holy ,communion1' which1 among ,eucharistic manuals1 has its own special characteristic4 ,the ,bishop recommends it to the newly confirmed1 to the tender-hearted and the devout1 as having been compiled by a youthful person1 and as being marked by a peculiar #8freshness4' ,having looked through the volume1 we have pleasure in seconding the recommendations of the good ,bishop4 ,we know of no more suitable manual for the newly confirmed1 and nothing more likely to engage the sympathies of youthful hearts4 ,there is a union of the deepest spirit of devotion1 a rich expression of experimental life1 with a due recognition of the objects of faith1 such as is not always to be found1 but which characterises this manual in an eminent degree40,,church ,,review4 8,the ,bishop of ,gloucester's imprimatur is attached to #8,prayers and ,meditations for the ,holy ,communion1' intended as a manual for the recently confirmed1 nicely printed1 and theologically sound40,,church ,,times4 8,among the supply of ,eucharistic ,manuals1 one deserves special attention and commendation4 #8,prayers and ,meditations' merits the ,bishop of ,gloucester's epithets of #8warm1 devout1 and fresh4' ,and it is thoroughly ,english ,church besides40,,guardian4 8,we are by no means surprised that ,bishop ,ellicott should have been so much struck with this little work1 on accidentally seeing it in manuscript1 as to urge its publication1 and to preface it with his commendation4 ,the devotion which it breathes is truly fervent1 and the language attractive1 and as proceeding from a young person the work is altogether not a little striking40,,record4 ,,the ,,prayer ,,book ,,interleaved2 ,with ,historical ,illustrations and ,explanatory ,notes arranged parallel to the ,text4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,m4 ,,campion1 ,d4,d41 ,fellow and ,tutor of ,queen's ,college1 and ,rector of ,st4 ,botolph's1 and the ,rev4 ,w4 ,j4 ,,beamont1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,with a ,preface by the ,,lord ,,bishop ,,of ,,ely4 ,sixth ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,eight ,,lectures ,,on ,,the ,,miracles4 ,being the ,bampton ,lectures for #ahfe4 ,by ,j4 ,b4 ,,mozley1 ,d4,d41 ,regius ,professor of ,divinity1 and ,canon of ,christ ,church1 ,oxford4 ,third ,edition1 ,revised4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 ,,catechesis2 ,,or1 ,,christian ,,instruction ,,preparatory ,,to ,,confirmation ,,and ,,first ,,communion4 ,by ,,charles ,,wordsworth1 ,d4,c4,l41 ,bishop of ,st4 ,andrew's4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 ,a ,,theory ,,of ,,harmony4 ,founded on the ,tempered ,scale4 ,with ,questions and ,exercises for the ,use of ,students4 ,by ,,john ,,stainer1 ,mus4 ,doc41 ,m4,a41 ,magdalene ,college1 ,oxford1 ,organist to ,st4 ,paul's ,cathedral4 ,royal #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,it is the first work of its class that needs no apology for its introduction1 as it is really much needed especially by teachers1 who would fail without the aid of its principles to account for many of the effects in modern music1 used in direct opposition to the teaching of the schools4 ,it is difficult1 if not impossible1 to give a more elaborate description of a book destined to effect an entire change in musical teaching without entering into details that could not but prove uninteresting to the general readers1 while to the musician and amateur1 the possession of the book itself is recommended as a valuable confirmation of ideas that exist to a large extent in the minds of every one who has ever thought about music1 and who desires to see established a more uniform basis of study4 ,the great and leading characteristic of the work is its logical reasoning and definitions1 a character not possessed by any previous book on the subject1 and for this ,dr4 ,stainer's theory is certain to gain ground1 and be the means of opening an easy and pleasant path in a road hitherto beset with the thorns and briars of perplexing technicalities40,,morning ,,post4 8,dr4 ,stainer is a learned musician1 and his book supplies a manual of information as well as a rich repository of musical erudition in the form of classical quotations from the great masters40,,john ,,bull4 8,dr4 ,stainer1 in his thoughtful book1 sees clearly of amalgamating opposing systems in order to found a theory of harmony4 ,he bases his work on the tempered scale1 and he developes and illustrates his theory by questions and exercises for the use of students4 ,his opening exposition of the rudiments of music is clear3 when he reaches the regions of harmony he comes on debateable ground40,,athen,,um4 8,to the student perplexed and chained down by the multitudinous rules of the old theorists1 we cannot give better comfort than to advise him to read forthwith ,dr4 ,stainer's ingenious and thoughtful book4 ,it is exceedingly well got up1 and from the clearness of the type used1 very easy and pleasant to read40,,choir4 ,,church ,,organs3 their ,position and ,construction4 ,with an ,appendix containing some ,account of the ,medival ,organ ,case still existing at ,old ,radnor1 ,south ,wales4 ,by ,,frederick ,,heathcote ,,sutton1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,theddingworth4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,imperial folio4 #fs4 #f;d4 ,,miscellaneous ,,poems4 ,by ,,henry ,,francis ,,lyte1 ,m4,a4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #es4 ,,bible ,,readings ,,for ,,family ,,prayer4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,h4 ,,ridley1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,hambleden4 ,crown #hvo4 ,old ,testament,genesis and ,exodus4 #bs4 ,new ,testament1 ,st4 ,luke and ,st4 ,john4 #bs4 ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark4 #bs4 ,the ,four ,gospels1 in one volume4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,st4 ,,john ,,chrysostom',s ,,liturgy4 ,translated by ,h4 ,c4 ,,romanoff1 ,author of 8,sketches of the ,rites and ,customs of the ,greco-,russian ,church10 c4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,square crown #hvo4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,notitia ,,eucharistica4 ,a ,commentary1 ,explanatory1 ,doctrinal1 and ,historical1 on the ,order of the ,administration of the ,lord's ,supper1 or ,holy ,communion1 according to the ,use of the ,church of ,england4 ,by ,w4 ,e4 ,,scudamore1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,ditchingham1 and formerly ,fellow of ,s4 ,john's ,college1 ,cambridge4 #hvo4 #bhs4 ,,words ,,to ,,take ,,with ,,us4 ,a ,manual of ,daily and ,occasional ,prayers1 for ,private and ,common ,use4 ,with ,plain ,instructions and ,counsels on ,prayer4 ,by ,w4 ,e4 ,,scudamore1 ,m4,a41 ,rector of ,ditchingham1 and formerly ,fellow of ,s4 ,john's ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,new ,edition4 ,revised4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8#8,words to ,take with ,us1' by ,w4 ,e4 ,scudamore1 is one of the best manuals of daily and occasional prayers we have seen4 ,at once orthodox and practical1 sufficiently personal1 and yet not perplexingly minute in its details1 it is calculated to be of inestimable value in many a household40,,john ,,bull4 8,we are again pleased to see an old friend on the editorial table1 in a third edition of ,mr4 ,scudamore's well-known ,manual of ,prayers4 ,the special proper collects for each day of the week1 as well as those for the several seasons of the ,christian year1 have been most judiciously selected4 ,the compiler moreover1 while recognising the full benefits to be derived from the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 has not feared to draw largely from the equally invaluable writings of ancient ,catholicity4 ,the preface is a systematic arrangement of instructions in prayer and meditation40,,church ,,review4 ,,the ,,home ,,life ,,of ,,jesus ,,of ,,nazareth ,,and ,,other ,,sermons4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,augustus ,,gurney1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,wribbenhall1 ,kidderminster4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,a ,,church ,,history ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,seven ,,centuries1 to the ,close of the ,sixth ,general ,council4 ,by ,,milo ,,mahan1 ,d4,d41 sometime ,s4 ,mark's-in-the-,bowery ,professor of ,ecclesiastical ,history in the ,general ,theological ,seminary1 ,new ,york4 #hvo4 #aes4 ,,our ,,mother ,,church3 being ,simple ,talk on ,high ,topics4 ,by ,,anne ,,mercier4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,we have rarely come across a book dealing with an old subject in a healthier and1 as far as may be1 more original manner1 while yet thoroughly practical1 than #8,our ,mother ,church1' by ,mrs4 ,jerome ,mercier4 ,it is intended for and admirably adapted to the use of girls4 ,thoroughly reverent in its tone1 and bearing in every page marks of learned research1 it is yet easy of comprehension1 and explains ecclesiastical terms with the accuracy of a lexicon without the accompanying dulness4 ,it is to be hoped that the book will attain to the large circulation it justly merits40,,john ,,bull4 8,we have never seen a book for girls of its class which commends itself to us more particularly than #8,our ,mother ,church' by ,mrs4 ,jerome ,mercier4 ,the author1 who is the wife of an earnest parish priest of the ,anglican school1 near ,london1 calls her work #8simple talk on great subjects1' and calls it by a name that describes it almost as completely as we could do in a longer notice than we can spare the volume4 ,here are the headings of the chapters3#8,the ,primitive ,church1' #8,primitive ,places and ,modes of ,worship1' #8,the ,early ,english ,church1' #8,the ,monastic ,orders1' #8,the ,friars1' #8,a ,review of ,church ,history1' #8,the ,prayer ,book1' 7four chapters71 #8,symbolism1' #8,church ,architecture1' #8,windows and ,bells1' #8,church ,music1' #8,church ,work4' ,no one can fail to comprehend the beautifully simple1 devout1 and appropriate language in which ,mrs4 ,mercier embodies what she has to say2 and for the facts with which she deals she has taken good care to have their accuracy assured40,,standard4 8,the plan of this pleasant-looking book is excellent4 ,it is a kind of ,mrs4 ,markham on the ,church of ,england1 written especially for girls1 and we shall not be surprised to find it become a favourite in schools4444 ,it is really a conversational hand-book to the ,english ,church's history1 doctrine1 and ritual1 complied by a very diligent reader from some of the best modern ,anglican sources40,,english ,,churchman4 ,,the ,,divinity ,,of ,,our ,,lord ,,and ,,saviour ,,jesus ,,christ2 being the ,bampton ,lectures for #ahff4 ,by ,,henry ,,parry ,,liddon1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,ireland ,professor of ,exegesis in the ,university of ,oxford4 ,fifth ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,sermons ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,university ,,of ,,oxford4 ,by ,,henry ,,parry ,,liddon1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,ireland ,professor of ,exegesis in the ,university of ,oxford4 ,fifth ,edition1 revised4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,some ,,elements ,,of ,,religion4 ,lent ,lectures4 ,by ,,henry ,,parry ,,liddon1 ,d4,d41 ,d4,c4,l41 ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,ireland ,professor of ,exegesis in the ,university of ,oxford4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,household ,,theology3 ,a ,handbook of ,religious ,information respecting the ,holy ,bible1 the ,prayer ,book1 the ,church1 the ,ministry1 ,divine ,worship1 the ,creeds1 c41 c4 ,by ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,liber ,,precum ,,publicarum ,,ecclesi ,,anglican4 ,a ,,gulielmo ,,bright1 ,a4,m41 et ,,petro ,,goldsmith ,,medd1 ,a4,m41 ,presbyteris1 ,collegii ,universitatis in ,acad4 ,oxon4 ,sociis1 ,latine redditus4 ,new ,edition1 with all the ,rubrics in red4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 ,,the ,,psalms4 ,translated from the ,hebrew4 ,with ,notes1 chiefly ,exegetical4 ,by ,,william ,,kay1 ,d4,d41 ,rector of ,great ,leighs2 late ,principal of ,bishop's ,college1 ,calcutta4 #hvo4 #abs4 #f;d4 8,like a sound ,churchman1 he reverences ,scripture1 upholding its authority against sceptics2 and he does not denounce such as differ from him in opinion with a dogmatism unhappily too common at the present day4 ,hence1 readers will be disposed to consider his conclusions worthy of attention2 or perhaps to adopt them without inquiry4 ,it is superfluous to say that the translation is better and more accurate on the whole than our received one1 or that it often reproduces the sense of the original happily40,,athen,,um4 8,dr4 ,kay has profound reverence for ,divine truth1 and exhibits considerable reading1 with the power to make use of it40,,british ,,quarterly ,,review4 8,the execution of the work is careful and scholarly40,,union ,,review4 8,to mention the name of ,dr4 ,kay is enough to secure respectful attention to his new translation of the ,psalms4 ,it is enriched with exegetical notes containing a wealth of sound learning1 closely occasionally1 perhaps too closely condensed4 ,good care is taken of the student not learned in ,hebrew2 we hope the ,doctor's example will prevent any abuse of this consideration1 and stimulate those who profit by it to follow him into the very text of the ancient ,revelation40,,john ,,bull4 ,,the ,,annotated ,,book ,,of ,,common ,,prayer2 being an ,historical1 ,ritual1 and ,theological ,commentary on the ,devotional ,system of the ,church of ,england4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a41 ,f4,s4,a41 ,author of 8,the ,history of the ,reformation10 8,directorium ,pastorale10 ,editor of 8,the ,dictionary of ,theology10 c4 ,sixth edition1 revised4 ,imperial #hvo4 #cfs41 or half-bound in morocco1 #dhs4 ,a ,,companion ,,to ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,being a ,plain ,commentary on ,scripture ,history1 down to the ,birth of our ,lord4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 8,a most admirable ,companion to the ,old ,testament1 being far the most concise yet complete commentary on ,old ,testament history with which we have met4 ,here are combined orthodoxy and learning1 an intelligent and at the same time interesting summary of the leading facts of the sacred story4 ,it should be a text-book in every school1 and its value is immensely enhanced by the copious and complete index40,,john ,,bull4 8,this will be found a very valuable aid to the right understanding of the ,bible4 ,it throws the whole ,scripture narrative into one from the creation downwards1 the author thus condensing ,prideaux1 ,shuckford1 and ,russell1 and in the most reverential manner bringing to his aid the writings of all modern annotators and chronologists4 ,there are no lengthy comments1 no visionary theories1 nothing speculative2 all is plain matter of fact1 intelligibly stated4 ,the book is one that should have a wide circulation amongst teachers and students of all denominations40,,bookseller4 8,is a very compact summary of the ,old ,testament narrative1 put together so as to explain the connection and bearing of its contents1 and written in a very good tone2 with a final chapter on the history of the ,jews between the ,old and ,new ,testaments4 ,it will be found very useful for its purpose4 ,it does not confine itself to merely chronological difficulties1 but comments briefly upon the religious bearing of the text also40,,guardian4 8,the handbook before us is so full and satisfactory1 considering its compass1 and sets forth the history of the old covenant with such conscientious minuteness1 that it cannot fail to prove a godsend to candidates for examination in the ,rudimenta ,religionis as well as in the corresponding school at ,cambridge4444 ,in one of our dioceses the ,scripture subjects for diocesan inspection this year included #8the lives of ,abraham1 ,isaac1 ,jacob1 and the twelve ,patriarchs1' and teachers were warned that the higher classes in the schools would be expected to evince a knowledge gathered from the source and not any secondary channels4 ,but really we have tested the second book of this work with an eye to ascertaining whether a mastery of it would have served the teacher or pupil's purpose2 and our deliberate opinion is that it would1 so careful is the survey1 and so very rare the omission of a single point that is of any historical or doctrinal importance4444 ,throughout his work the writer of this #8companion1' #8commentary1' or #8handbook1' exhibits at the same time extensive research into the best sources of information and enlightenment as to the sacred history1 and an independent1 though cautious1 judgment in his choice between conflicting theories and explanations40,,english ,,churchman4 ,,fables ,,respecting ,,the ,,popes ,,of ,,the ,,middle ,,ages4 ,a ,contribution to ,ecclesiastical ,history4 ,by ,,john ,j4 ,,ign4 ,,von ,d,,llinger4 ,translated1 with ,introduction and ,appendices1 by ,,alfred ,,plummer1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow and ,tutor of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 #hvo4 #ads4 ,,sketches ,,of ,,the ,,rites ,,and ,,customs ,,of ,,the ,,greco-,,russian ,,church4 ,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,romanoff4 ,with an ,introductory ,notice by the ,author of 8,the ,heir of ,redclyffe40 ,second ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,the twofold object of this work is #8to present the ,english with correct descriptions of the ceremonies of the ,greco-,russian ,church1 and at the same time with pictures of domestic life in ,russian homes1 especially those of the clergy and the middle class of nobles2' and1 beyond question1 the author's labour has been so far successful that1 whilst her ,church scenes may be commended as a series of most dramatic and picturesque tableaux1 her social sketches enable us to look at certain points beneath the surface of ,russian life1 and materially enlarge our knowledge of a country concerning which we have still a very great deal to learn40,,athen,,um4 8,the volume before us is anything but a formal liturgical treatise4 ,it might be more valuable to a few scholars if it were1 but it would certainly fail to obtain perusal at the hands of the great majority of those whom the writer1 not unreasonably1 hopes to attract by the narrative style she has adopted4 ,what she has set before us is a series of brief outlines1 which1 by their simple effort to clothe the information given us in a living garb1 reminds us of a once popular childs' book which we remember a generation ago1 called #8,sketches of ,human ,manners4'0,,church ,,times4 ,,the ,,argument ,,delivered ,,before ,,the ,,judicial ,,committee ,,of ,,the ,,privy ,,council4 ,by ,,archibald ,,john ,,stephens1 ,,ll4,d41 one of ,her ,majesty's ,counsel in the case of ,,thomas ,,byard ,,sheppard against ,,william ,,early ,,bennett1 ,clerk4 ,with an ,appendix containing their ,lordships' ,judgment4 #hvo4 #is4 ,,sermons ,,on ,,certain ,,of ,,the ,,less ,,prominent ,,facts ,,and ,,references ,,in ,,sacred ,,story4 ,by ,,henry ,,melvill1 ,b4,d41 late ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,chaplain in ,ordinary to the ,queen4 ,new ,edition4 ,two vols4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 each4 8,we are glad to see this new edition of what we have always considered to be ,melvill's best sermons1 because in them we have his best thoughts4444 ,many of these sermons are the strongest arguments yet adduced for internal evidence of the veracity of the ,scriptural narratives40,,standard4 8,many who admire elegant phraseology1 and the other now rarely exhibited constituents of pulpit eloquence1 will be glad to have in a convenient shape a judicious selection of ,canon ,melvill's sermons4 ,mr4 ,melvill was one of the few really successful preachers of our day40,,examiner4 8,the sermons of the lamented ,melvill are too well known to require any commendation from us4 ,we have here all the power of rhetoric1 and the grace and beauty of style1 for which the author has been distinguished1 and which have contributed to render him a model to preachers1 and given him a representative position in the history of the ,english pulpit40,,weekly ,,review4 8,polished1 classical1 and winning1 these sermons bear the marks of literary labour4 ,a study of them will aid the modern preacher to refine and polish his discourses1 and to add to the vigour which is now the fashion the graces of chastened eloquence and winning rhetoric40,,english ,,churchman4 ,,selection ,,from ,,the ,,sermons ,,preached ,,during ,,the ,,latter ,,years ,,of ,,his ,,life1 ,,in ,,the ,,parish ,,church ,,of ,,barnes1 ,,and ,,in ,,the ,,cathedral ,,of ,,st4 ,,paul',s4 ,by ,,henry ,,melvill1 ,b4,d41 late ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,chaplain in ,ordinary to the ,queen4 ,two vols4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 each4 8,melvill's chief characteristic was humility1 that truest mark of real nobility of soul and of genuine genius2 and his sole actuating principle in life was devotion to dutyduty to ,god and duty to man1 and never were the two more beautifully blended together than in him4 #8,while the pure truths of the ,gospel1' observes his biographer in the memoir prefixed to these sermons1 #8flowed so persuasively from his lips1 the pure spirit of ,christianity ever reigned in his heart1 and the purest charity influenced his every thought and every action4'444 ,the style of ,canon ,melvill's sermons is rather ,ciceronian than ,demosthenic1 rather splendid and measured than impetuous and fervid40,,standard4 8,two other volumes of the late ,canon ,melvill's sermons contain forty discourses preached by him in his later years1 and they are prefaced by a short memoir of one of the worthiest and most impressive preachers of recent times40,,examiner4 8,these outlines contain probably the last specimens of the work of a great master in the art of preaching the ,gospel4 ,in the sermons of ,henry ,melvill there are a certain dignity and elevation of style and handling which belong rather to the past than to the present4444 ,there are in the sermons before us all ,melvill's wonted grace of diction1 strength of reasoning1 and aptness of illustration40,,weekly ,,review4 ,,sermons4 ,by ,,henry ,,melvill1 ,b4,d41 late ,canon of ,st4 ,paul's1 and ,chaplain in ,ordinary to the ,queen4 ,new ,edition4 ,two vols4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 each4 ,sold separately4 8,messrs4 ,rivington have published very opportunely1 at a time when ,churchmen are thinking with satisfaction of the new blood infused into the ,chapter of ,st4 ,paul's1 sermons by ,henry ,melvill1 who in his day was as celebrated as a preacher as is ,canon ,liddon now4 ,the sermons are not only couched in elegant language1 but are replete with matter which the younger clergy would do well to study40,,john ,,bull4 8,henry ,melvill's intellect was large1 his imagination brilliant1 his ardour intense1 and his style strong1 fervid1 and picturesque4 ,often he seemed to glow with the inspiration of a prophet40,,american ,,quarterly ,,church ,,review4 8,it would be easy to quote portions of exceeding beauty and power4 ,it was not1 however1 the charm of style1 nor wealth of words1 both which ,canon ,melvill possessed in so great abundance1 that he relied on to win souls2 but the power and spirit of ,him who said1 #8,i1 if ,i be lifted up1 will draw all men to ,me4'0,,record4 8,every one who can remember the days when ,canon ,melvill was the preacher of the day1 will be glad to see these four-and-twenty of his sermons so nicely reproduced4 ,his ,sermons were all the result of real study and genuine reading1 with far more theology in them than those of many who make much more profession of theology4 ,there are sermons here which we can personally remember2 it has been a pleasure to us to be reminded of them1 and we are glad to see them brought before the present generation4 ,we hope that they may be studied1 for they deserve it thoroughly40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,few preachers have had more admirers than the ,rev4 ,henry ,melvill1 and the new edition of his ,sermons1 in two volumes1 will doubtless find plenty of purchasers4 ,the ,sermons abound in thought1 and the thoughts are couched in ,english which is at once elegant in construction and easy to read40,,church ,,times4 8,the ,sermons of ,canon ,melvill1 now republished in two handy volumes1 need only to be mentioned to be sure of a hearty welcome4 ,sound learning1 well-weighed words1 calm and keen logic1 and solemn devoutness1 mark the whole series of masterly discourses1 which embrace some of the chief doctrines of the ,church1 and set them forth in clear and ,scriptural strength40,,standard4 ,,vita ,,et ,,doctrina ,,jesu ,,christi2 ,or1 ,meditations on the ,life of our ,lord4 ,by ,,avancini4 ,in the ,original ,latin4 ,adapted to the use of the ,church of ,england by a ,,clergyman4 ,imperial #cbmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,first ,,book ,,of ,,common ,,prayer ,,of ,,edward ,,vi41 and the ,ordinal of #aedi1 together with the ,order of the ,communion1 #aedh4 ,reprinted entire1 and ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,henry ,,baskerville ,,walton1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow and ,tutor of ,merton ,college4 ,with an ,introduction by the ,rev4 ,,peter ,,goldsmith ,,medd1 ,m4,a41 ,senior ,fellow and ,tutor of ,university ,college1 ,oxford4 ,small #hvo4 #fs4 8,a volume like this is worth two of ,church ,history4 ,in many respects1 indeed1 it is the subject of history itself2 and with ,mr4 ,medd's introduction and ,mr4 ,walton's editorial work we may be said to have both subject and history thereof4 ,the volume should be in the hands of every member of the ,church of ,england3 we may say1 it should be in those of every student of ,church ,history40,,athen,,um4 8,we welcome the seasonable appearance of this work1 which indeed supplies a long-felt want1 for #8the ,first ,book' has been hitherto accessible to very few4444 ,it is especially important at the present time that the principles of the first ,reformers should be understood2 and no one can look through this edition without gaining some definite information on that point4 ,we commend this new edition of the ,first ,prayer ,book1 with its introduction to the study of all that are desirous of understanding the principles of those who originated the reform of our public ,services40,,church ,,news4 8,the more that ,english ,churchmen become acquainted with the ,reformed ,prayer ,book1 as our ,english ,divines reformed it1 apart from the meddling of foreignersi4e41 the better people become acquainted with #8,edward ,,vi4's first book1' the better both for themselves1 and for the ,english ,church at large4 ,we are therefore delighted to welcome this handy and handsome reprint1 with which every pains has been taken to make it as accurate as possible40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,mr4 ,walton deserves the very best thanks of ,anglican ,churchmen1 for putting this most important volume within their reach in so convenient and handsome a form40,,church ,,review4 ,,instructions ,,for ,,the ,,use ,,of ,,candidates ,,for ,,holy ,,orders1 ,and of the ,parochial ,clergy2 with ,acts of ,parliament relating to the same1 and ,forms proposed to be used4 ,by ,,christopher ,,hodgson1 ,m4,a41 ,secretary to the ,governors of ,queen ,anne's ,bounty4 ,ninth ,edition4 #hvo4 #afs4 ,,the ,,greek ,,testament4 ,with a ,critically ,revised ,text2 a ,digest of ,various ,readings2 ,marginal ,references to ,verbal and ,idiomatic ,usage2 ,prolegomena2 and a ,critical and ,exegetical ,commentary4 ,for the use of ,theological ,students and ,ministers4 ,by ,,henry ,,alford1 ,d4,d41 late ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,new ,edition4 ,four ,volumes4 #hvo4 #ajbs4 ,the ,volumes are sold separately as follows3 ,vol4 ,i4,the ,four ,gospels4 #bhs4 ,vol4 ,,ii4,acts to ,,ii4 ,corinthians4 #bds4 ,vol4 ,,iii4,galatians to ,philemon4 #ahs4 ,vol4 ,,iv4,hebrews to ,revelation4 #cbs4 ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,,for ,,english ,,readers3 containing the ,authorized ,version1 with a revised ,english ,text2 ,marginal ,references2 and a ,critical and ,explanatory ,commentary4 ,by ,,henry ,,alford1 ,d4,d41 late ,dean of ,canterbury4 ,new ,edition4 ,two volumes1 or four parts4 #hvo4 #eds4 #f;d4 ,the ,volumes are sold separately1 as follows3 ,vol4 #a1 ,part ,i4,the ,three first ,gospels4 #abs4 ,vol4 #a1 ,part ,,ii4,st4 ,john and the ,acts4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,vol4 #b1 ,part ,i4,the ,epistles of ,st4 ,paul4 #afs4 ,vol4 #b1 ,part ,,ii4,hebrews to ,revelation4 #hvo4 #afs4 ,,curious ,,myths ,,of ,,the ,,middle ,,ages4 ,by ,s4 ,,baring-,,gould1 ,m4,a41 ,author of 8,post-,medival ,preachers10 c4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,new ,edition4 ,complete in ,one ,volume4 ,crown #hvo4 #fs4 8,these ,essays will be found to have something to satisfy most classes of readers2 the lovers of legends proper1 the curious in popular delusions1 the initiated in ,darwinian and ,monboddoan theories2 and if1 in the chapters on ,tell and ,gellert1 we are a little struck with the close following of ,dasent's track1 in his preface to the ,norse tales1 it must be owned that there are chapterse4g41 those on the ,divining ,rod1 the ,man in the ,moon1 and the ,seven ,sleeperswhich present new matter and deserve the praise of independent research40,,quarterly ,,review4 8,the author1 indeed1 is sometimes fanciful and overbold in his conclusions2 but he conducts us through marvellous waysways which he has studied well before he undertook to guide others2 and if we do not always acquiesce in his descriptions or arguments1 we seldom differ from him without hesitation40,,athen,,um4 8,we have no space to linger longer about a book which1 apart from its didactic pretensions1 is an exceedingly amusing and interesting collection of old stories and legends of the middle ages40,,pall ,,mall ,,gazette4 8,that1 on his first visit to the varied field of medival mythology1 ,mr4 ,baring-,gould should have culled as samples of its richness the most brilliant of the flowers that bloomed in it1 is scarcely to be wondered at4 ,but it shows how fertile is the soil when he is enabled to cull from it so goodly a second crop as that which he here presents to us4 ,the myths treated of in the present volume vary in interestthey are all curious and well worth reading40,,notes ,,and ,,queries4 ,,the ,,pope ,,and ,,the ,,council4 ,by ,,janus4 ,authorized translation from the ,german4 ,third ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #gs4 #f;d4 8,a profound and learned treatise1 evidently the work of one of the first theologians of the day1 discussing with the scientific fulness and precision proper to ,german investigation1 the great doctrinal questions expected to come before the ,council1 and especially the proposed dogma of ,papal ,infallibility4 ,there is probably no work in existence that contains at all1 still less within so narrow a compass1 so complete a record of the origin and growth of the infallibilist theory1 and of all the facts of ,church history bearing upon it1 and that too in a form so clear and concise as to put the argument within the reach of any reader of ordinary intelligence1 while the scrupulous accuracy of the writer1 and his constant reference to the original authorities for every statement liable to be disputed1 makes the monograph as a whole a perfect storehouse of valuable information for the historical or theological student40,,saturday ,,review4 8,beginning with a sketch of the errors and contradictions of the ,popes1 and of the position which1 as a matter of history1 they held in the early ,church1 the book proceeds to describe the three great forgeries by which the ,papal claims were upheldthe ,isidorian decretals1 the donation of ,constantine1 and the decretum of ,gratian4 ,the last subject ought to be carefully studied by all who wish to understand the frightful tyranny of a complicated system of laws1 devised not for the protection of a people1 but as instruments for grinding them to subjection4 ,then1 after an historical outline of the general growth of the ,papal power in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries1 the writers enter upon the peculiarly episcopal and clerical question1 pointing out how marvellously every little change worked in one direction1 invariably tending to throw the rule of the ,church into the power of ,rome2 and how the growth of new institutions1 like the monastic orders and the ,inquisition1 gradually withdrew the conduct of affairs from the ,bishops of the ,church in general1 and consolidated the ,papal influence4 ,for all this1 however1 unless we could satisfy ourselves with a mere magnified table of contents the reader must be referred to the book itself1 in which he will find the interest sustained without flagging to the end40,,pall ,,mall ,,gazette4 8,in ,france1 in ,holland1 and in ,germany1 there has already appeared a multitude of disquisitions on this subject4 ,among these several are the acknowledged compositions of men of high standing in the ,roman ,catholic world1men admittedly entitled to speak with the authority that must attach to established reputation3 but not one of them has hitherto produced a work more likely to create a deep impression than the anonymous ,german publication at the head of this notice4 ,it is not a piece of merely polemical writing1 it is a treatise dealing with a large subject in an impressive though partisan manner1 a treatise grave in tone1 solid in matter1 and bristling with forcible and novel illustrations40,,spectator4 8,rumour will1 no doubt1 be busy with its conjectures as to the name which lurks beneath the nom de plume of #8,janus4' ,we do not intend to offer any contribution towards the elucidation of the mystery unless it be a contribution to say that the book bears internal evidence of being the work of a ,catholic1 and that there are not many ,catholics in ,europe who could have written it4 ,taking it all in all1 it is no exaggerated praise to characterise it as the most damaging assault on ,ultra-montanism that has appeared in modern times4 ,its learning is copious and complete1 yet so admirably arranged that it invariably illustrates without overlaying the argument4 ,the style is clear and simple1 and there is no attempt at rhetoric4 ,it is a piece of cool and masterly dissection1 all the more terrible for the passionless manner in which the author conducts the operation40,,times4 ,,letters ,,from ,,rome ,,on ,,the ,,council4 ,by ,,quirinus4 ,reprinted from the 8,allgemeine ,zeitung40 ,authorized ,translation4 ,crown #hvo4 #abs4 ,,female ,,characters ,,of ,,holy ,,scripture4 ,in a ,series of ,sermons4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,isaac ,,williams1 ,b4,d41 formerly ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 ,new ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,the ,,characters ,,of ,,the ,,old ,,testament4 ,in a ,series of ,sermons4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,isaac ,,williams1 ,b4,d41 formerly ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 ,new ,edition4 ,crown #hvo41 #es4 8,this is one of the few volumes of published sermons that we have been able to read with real pleasure4 ,they are written with a chastened elegance of language1 and pervaded by a spirit of earnest and simple piety4 ,mr4 ,williams is evidently what would be called a very ,high ,churchman4 ,occasionally his peculiar ,church views are apparent2 but bating a few passages here and there1 these sermons will be read with profit by all #8who profess and call themselves ,christians4'0,,contemporary ,,review4 8,this is a new edition of a very popularand deservedly popularwork on the biography of the ,old ,testament history4 ,the characters are ably and profitably analysed1 and that by the hand of a master of style and thought4444 ,the principle of selection has been that of prominence2 and partly1 too1 that of significance in the characters so ably delineated4 ,a more masterly analysis of ,scriptural characters we never read1 nor any which are more calculated to impress the mind of the reader with feelings of love for what is good1 and abhorrence for what is evil40,,rock4 ,,the ,,hillford ,,confirmation3 ,a ,,tale4 ,by ,m4 ,c4 ,,phillpotts4 #ahmo4 #as4 ,,apostolical ,,succession ,,in ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,england4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,arthur ,w4 ,,haddan1 ,b4,d41 ,rector of ,barton-on-the-,heath1 and late ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 #hvo4 #abs4 8,mr4 ,haddan's estimate of the bearing of his subject1 and of its special importance at the present juncture is characteristic1 and will well repay attention4444 ,mr4 ,haddan is strictly argumentative throughout4 ,he abstains with some strictness from everything which would divert either his reader or himself from accurate investigation of his reasoning4 ,but his volume is thoroughly well written1 clear and forcible in style1 and fair in tone4 ,it cannot but render valuable service in placing the claims of the ,church in their true light before the ,english public40,,guardian4 8,among the many standard theological works devoted to this important subject ,mr4 ,haddan's will hold a high place40,,standard4 8,we should be glad to see the volume widely circulated and generally read40,,john ,,bull4 8,a weighty and valuable treatise1 and we hope that the study of its sound and well-reasoned pages will do much to fix the importance1 and the full meaning of the doctrine in question1 in the minds of ,church people4444 ,we hope that our extracts will lead our readers to study ,mr4 ,haddan for themselves40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,this is not only a very able and carefully written treatise upon the doctrine of ,apostolical ,succession1 but it is also a calm yet noble vindication of the validity of the ,anglican ,orders3 it well sustains the brilliant reputation which ,mr4 ,haddan left behind him at ,oxford1 and it supplements his other profound historical researches in ecclesiastical matters4 ,this book will remain for a long time the classic work upon ,english ,orders40,,church ,,review4 8,a very temperate1 but a very well reasoned book40,,westminster ,,review4 8,mr4 ,haddan ably sustains his reputation throughout the work4 ,his style is clear1 his inferences are reasonable1 and the publication is especially well-timed in prospect of the coming cumenical ,council40,,cambridge ,,university ,,gazette4 ,a ,,manual ,,for ,,the ,,sick2 with other ,devotions4 ,by ,,lancelot ,,andrewes1 ,d4,d41 sometime ,lord ,bishop of ,winchester4 ,edited with a ,preface by ,h4 ,p4 ,,liddon1 ,m4,a4 ,large type4 ,with ,portrait4 #bdmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,help ,,and ,,comfort ,,for ,,the ,,sick ,,poor4 ,by the ,author of 8,sickness2 its ,trials and ,blessings40 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #as4 ,a ,,devotional ,,commentary ,,on ,,the ,,gospel ,,narrative4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,isaac ,,williams1 ,b4,d41 formerly ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 ,a ,new and uniform ,edition4 ,in ,eight volumes4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 each4 ,,thoughts ,,on ,,the ,,study ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,gospels4 ,characteristic ,differences in the ,four ,gospels4 ,our ,lord's ,manifestations of ,himself4 ,the ,rule of ,scriptural ,interpretation furnished by our ,lord4 ,analogies of the ,gospel4 ,mention of ,angels in the ,gospels4 ,places of our ,lord's ,abode and ,ministry4 ,our ,lord's ,mode of ,dealing with ,his ,apostles4 ,conclusion4 ,a ,,harmony ,,of ,,the ,,four ,,evangelists4 ,our ,lord's ,nativity4 ,our ,lord's ,ministry,second ,year4 ,our ,lord's ,ministry,third ,year4 ,the ,holy ,week4 ,our ,lord's ,passion4 ,our ,lord's ,resurrection4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,nativity4 ,the ,birth at ,bethlehem4 ,the ,baptism in ,jordan4 ,the ,first ,passover4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry4 ,,second ,,year4 ,the ,second ,passover4 ,christ with the ,twelve4 ,the ,twelve sent forth4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,ministry4 ,,third ,,year4 ,teaching in ,galilee4 ,teaching at ,jerusalem4 ,last ,journey from ,galilee to ,jerusalem4 ,,the ,,holy ,,week4 ,the ,approach to ,jerusalem4 ,the ,teaching in the ,temple4 ,the ,discourse on the ,mount of ,olives4 ,the ,last ,supper4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,passion4 ,the ,hour of ,darkness4 ,the ,agony4 ,the ,apprehension4 ,the ,condemnation4 ,the ,day of ,sorrows4 ,the ,hall of ,judgment4 ,the ,crucifixion4 ,the ,sepulture4 ,,our ,,lord',s ,,resurrection4 ,the ,day of ,days4 ,the ,grave ,visited4 ,christ ,appearing4 ,the ,going to ,emmaus4 ,the ,forty ,days4 ,the ,apostles ,assembled4 ,the ,lake in ,galilee4 ,the ,mountain in ,galilee4 ,the ,return from ,galilee4 8,there is not a better companion to be found for the season than the beautiful #8,devotional ,commentary on the ,gospel ,narrative1' by the ,rev4 ,isaac ,williams4444 ,a rich mine for devotional and theological study40,,guardian4 8,so infinite are the depths and so innumerable the beauties of ,scripture1 and more particularly of the ,gospels1 that there is some difficulty in describing the manifold excellences of ,williams' exquisite ,commentary4 ,deriving its profound appreciation of ,scripture from the writings of the early ,fathers1 it is only what every student knows must be true to say that it extracts a whole wealth of meaning from each sentence1 each apparently faint allusion1 each word in the text40,,church ,,review4 8,stands absolutely alone to our ,english literature2 there is1 we should say1 no chance of being superseded by any better book of its kind2 and its merits are of the very highest order40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,it would be difficult to select a more useful present1 at a small cost1 than this series would be to a young man on his first entering into ,holy ,orders1 and many1 no doubt1 will avail themselves of the republication of these useful volumes for this purpose4 ,there is an abundance of sermon material to be drawn from any one of them40,,church ,,times4 8,this is1 in the truest sense of the word1 a #8,devotional ,commentary' on the ,gospel narrative1 opening out everywhere1 as it does1 the spiritual beauties and blessedness of the ,divine message2 but it is something more than this1 it meets difficulties almost by anticipation1 and throws the light of learning over some of the very darkest passages in the ,new ,testament40,,rock4 8,the author has skilfully compared and blended the narratives of the different ,gospels1 so as to give a synoptical view of the history2 and though the commentary is called #8devotional1' it is scholarly and suggestive in other respects4 ,the size of the work1 extending1 as it does1 over eight volumes1 may deter purchasers and readers2 but each volume is complete in itself1 and we recommend students to taste a sample of the author's quality4 ,some things they may question2 but the volumes are really a helpful and valuable addition to our stores40,,freeman4 8,the high and solemn verities of the ,saviour's sufferings and death are treated with great reverence and ability4 ,the thorough devoutness which pervades the book commends it to our heart4 ,there is much to instruct and help the believer in the ,christian life1 no matter to what section of the ,church he may belong40,,watchman4 ,,keys ,,to ,,christian ,,knowledge4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,knowledge ,,and ,,use ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,bible4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,another of ,mr4 ,blunt's useful and workmanlike compilations1 which will be most acceptable as a household book1 or in schools and colleges4 ,it is a capital book too for schoolmasters and pupil teachers40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,as a popular handbook1 setting forth a selection of facts of which everybody ought to be cognizant1 and as an exposition of the claims of the ,bible to be received as of superhuman origin1 ,mr4 ,blunt's #8,key' will be useful40,,churchman4 8,a great deal of useful information is comprised in these pages1 and the book will no doubt be extensively circulated in ,church families40,,clerical ,,journal4 8,we have much pleasure in recommending a capital handbook by the learned editor of #8,the ,annotated ,book of ,common ,prayer4'0,,church ,,times4 8,merits commendation for the lucid and orderly arrangement in which it presents a considerable amount of valuable and interesting matter40,,record4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,knowledge ,,and ,,use ,,of ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,common ,,prayer4 ,by the ,rev4 ,j4 ,h4 ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,a very valuable and practical manual1 full of information1 which is admirably calculated to instruct and interest those for whom it was evidently specially intendedthe laity of the ,church of ,england4 ,it deserves high commendation40,,churchman4 8,a thoroughly sound and valuable manual40,,church ,,times4 8,to us it appears that ,mr4 ,blunt has succeeded very well4 ,all necessary information seems to be included1 and the arrangement is excellent40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,it is the best short explanation of our offices that we know of1 and would be invaluable for the use of candidates for confirmation in the higher classes40,,john ,,bull4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,christian ,,doctrine ,,and ,,practice ,,founded ,,on ,,the ,,church ,,catechism4 ,by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,of cheap and reliable text-books of this nature there has hitherto been a great want4 ,we are often asked to recommend books for use in ,church ,sunday-schools1 and we therefore take this opportunity of saying that we know of none more likely to be of service both to teachers and scholars than these #8,keys4'0,,churchman',s ,,shilling ,,magazine4 8,this is another of ,mr4 ,blunt's most useful manuals1 with all the precision of a school book1 yet diverging into matters of practical application so freely as to make it most serviceable1 either as a teacher's suggestion book1 or as an intelligent pupil's reading book40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,will be very useful for the higher classes in ,sunday-schools1 or rather for the fuller instruction of the ,sunday-school teachers themselves1 where the parish priest is wise enough to devote a certain time regularly to their preparation for their voluntary task40,,union ,,review4 8,another of the many useful books on theological and ,scriptural subjects which have been written by the ,rev4 ,john ,henry ,blunt4 ,the present is entitled #8,a ,key to ,christian ,doctrine and ,practice1 founded on the ,church ,catechism1' and will take its place as an elementary text-book upon the ,creed in our schools and colleges4 ,the ,church ,catechism is clearly and fully explained by the author in this #8,key'4 ,numerous references1 ,scriptural and otherwise1 are scattered about the book40,,public ,,opinion4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,knowledge ,,of ,,church ,,history4 7,ancient47 ,edited by ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,it offers a short and condensed account of the origin1 growth1 and condition of the ,church in all parts of the world1 from ,a4,d4 #a down to the end of the fifteenth century4 ,mr4 ,blunt's first object has been conciseness1 and this has been admirably carried out1 and to students of ,church history this feature will readily recommend itself4 ,as an elementary work #8,a ,key' will be specially valuable1 inasmuch as it points out certain definite lines of thought1 by which those who enjoy the opportunity may be guided in reading the statements of more elaborate histories4 ,at the same time it is but fair to ,mr4 ,blunt to remark that1 for general readers1 the little volume contains everything that could be consistently expected in a volume of its character4 ,there are many notes1 theological1 scriptural1 and historical1 and the #8get up' of the book is specially commendable4 ,as a text-book for the higher forms of schools the work will be acceptable to numerous teachers40,,public ,,opinion4 8,it contains some concise notes on ,church ,history1 compressed into a small compass1 and we think it is likely to be useful as a book of reference40,,john ,,bull4 8,a very terse and reliable collection of the main facts and incidents connected with ,church ,history40,,rock4 8,it will be excellent1 either for school or home use1 either as a reading or as a reference book1 on all the main facts and names and controversies of the first fifteen centuries4 ,it is both well arranged and well written40,,literary ,,churchman4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,knowledge ,,of ,,church ,,history 7,modern74 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,narrative ,,of ,,the ,,four ,,gospels4 ,by ,,john ,,pilkington ,,norris1 ,m4,a41 ,canon of ,bristol1 formerly one of ,her ,majesty's ,inspectors of ,schools4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,this is very much the best book of its kind we have seen4 ,the only fault is its shortness1 which prevents its going into the details which would support and illustrate its statements1 and which in the process of illustrating them would fix them upon the minds and memories of its readers4 ,it is1 however1 a great improvement upon any book of its kind we know4 ,it bears all the marks of being the condensed work of a real scholar1 and of a divine too4 ,the bulk of the book is taken up with a #8,life of ,christ' compiled from the ,four ,gospels so as to exhibit its steps and stages and salient points4 ,the rest of the book consists of independent chapters on special points40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,this book is no ordinary compendium1 no mere #8cram-book'2 still less is it an ordinary reading book for schools2 but the schoolmaster1 the ,sunday-school teacher and the seeker after a comprehensive knowledge of ,divine truth will find it worthy of its name4 ,canon ,norris writes simply1 reverently1 without great display of learning1 giving the result of much careful study in a short compass1 and adorning the subject by the tenderness and honesty with which he treats it4444 ,we hope that this little book will have a very wide circulation and that it will be studied2 and we can promise that those who take it up will not readily put it down again40,,record4 8,this is a golden little volume4 ,having often to criticise unsparingly volumes published by ,messrs4 ,rivington1 and bearing the deep ,high ,church brand1 it is the greater satisfaction to be able to commend this book so emphatically4 ,its design is exceedingly modest4 ,canon ,norris writes primarily to help #8younger students' in studying the ,gospels4 ,but this unpretending volume is one which all students may study with advantage4 ,it is an admirable manual for those who take ,bible ,classes through the ,gospels4 ,closely sifted in style1 so that all is clear and weighty2 full of unostentatious learning1 and pregnant with suggestion2 deeply reverent in spirit1 and altogether ,evangelical in spirit2 ,canon ,norris' book supplies a real want1 and ought to be welcomed by all earnest and devout students of the ,holy ,gospels40,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 ,a ,,key ,,to ,,the ,,acts ,,of ,,the ,,apostles4 ,by ,,john ,,pilkington ,,norris1 ,m4,a4 ,small #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,it is a remarkably well-written and interesting account of its subject1 #8,the ,book of the ,acts1' giving us the narrative of ,st4 ,luke with exactly what we want in the way of connecting links and illustrations4 ,one most notable and praiseworthy characteristic of the book is its candour4444 ,the book is one which we can heartily recommend40,,spectator4 8,of ,canon ,norris's #8,key to the ,narrative of the ,four ,gospels1' we wrote in high approval not many months ago4 ,the present is not less carefully prepared1 and is full of the unostentatious results of sound learning and patient thought40,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 8,this little volume is one of a series of #8,keys' of a more or less educational character1 which are in the course of publication by ,messrs4 ,rivington4 ,it gives apparently a very fair and tolerably exhaustive rsum of the contexts of the ,acts1 with which it deals1 not chapter by chapter1 but consecutively in the order of thought40,,school ,,board ,,chronicle4 8,few books have ever given us more unmixed pleasure than this4 ,it is faultlessly written1 so that it reads as pleasantly and enticingly as if it had not the least intention of being an #8educational' book4 ,it is complete and exhaustive1 so far as the narrative and all its bearings go1 so that students may feel that they need not be hunting up other books to supply the lacun4 ,it is the work of a classical scholar1 and it leaves nothing wanting in the way of classical illustrations1 which in the case of the ,acts are of special importance4 ,and1 lastly1 it is theologically sound40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,this is a sequel to ,canon ,norris's #8,key to the ,gospels1' which was published two years ago1 and which has become a general favourite with those who wish to grasp the leading features of the life and word of ,christ4 ,the sketch of the ,acts of the ,apostles is done in the same style2 there is the same reverent spirit and quiet enthusiasm running through it1 and the same instinct for seizing the leading points in the narrative40,,record4 ,other ,volumes are in preparation4 ,,rivington',s ,,devotional ,,series4 ,elegantly printed with red borders4 #afmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 each4 ,,thomas ,,kempis1 ,,of ,,the ,,imitation ,,of ,,christ4 ,also a ,cheap ,edition1 without the red borders1 #as41 or in ,cover1 #f;d4 8,a very beautiful edition4 ,we commend it to the ,clergy as an excellent gift-book for teachers and other workers40,,church ,,times4 8,this work is a precious relic of medival times1 and will continue to be valued by every section of the ,christian ,church40,,weekly ,,review4 8,a beautifully printed pocket edition of this marvellous production of a man1 who1 out of the dark mists of popery1 saw so much of experimental religion4 ,those who are well grounded in evangelical truth may use it with profit40,,record4 8,a very cheap and handsome edition40,,rock4 ,this new edition is a marvel of cheapness40,,church ,,review4 8,beautifully printed1 and very cheap editions of this long-used hand-book of devotion40,,literary ,,world4 ,,the ,,rule ,,and ,,exercises ,,of ,,holy ,,living4 ,by ,,jeremy ,,taylor1 ,d4,d41 ,bishop of ,down and ,connor1 and ,dromore4 ,also a ,cheap ,edition1 without the red borders1 #as4 ,,the ,,rule ,,and ,,exercises ,,of ,,holy ,,dying4 ,by ,,jeremy ,,taylor1 ,d4,d41 ,bishop of ,down and ,connor1 and ,dromore4 ,also a ,cheap ,edition1 without the red borders1 #as4 ,the #8,,holy ,,living' and the #8,,holy ,,dying' may be had bound together in ,one ,volume1 #es42 or without the red borders1 #bs4 #f;d4 8,an extremely well-printed and well got up edition1 as pretty and graceful as possible1 and yet not too fine for real use4 ,we wish the devotions of this beautiful book were more commonly used40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,we must admit that there is a want of helps to spiritual life amongst us4 ,our age is so secular1 and in religious movements so bustling1 that it is to be feared the inner life is too often forgotten4 ,our public teachers may1 we are sure1 gain by consulting books which show how contentedness and self-renunciation may be increased2 and in which the pathology of all human affections is treated with a fulness not common in our theological class rooms40,,freeman4 8,the publishers have done good service by the production of these beautiful editions of works1 which will never lose their preciousness to devout ,christian spirits4 ,it is not necessary for us to say a word as to their intrinsic merits2 we have only to testify to the good taste1 judgment1 and care shown in these editions4 ,they are extremely beautiful in typography and in the general getting up40,,english ,,independent4 8,we ought not to conclude our notice of recent devotional books1 without mentioning to our readers the above new1 elegant1 and cheap reprint1 which we trust will never be out of date or out of favour in the ,english branch of the ,catholic ,church40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,these manuals of piety written by the pen of the most beautiful writer and the most impressive divine of the ,english ,church1 need no commendation from us4 ,they are known to the world1 read in all lands1 and translated1 we have heard1 into fifty different languages4 ,for two centuries they have fed the faith of thousands upon thousands of souls1 now we trust happy with their ,god1 and perhaps meditating in ,heaven with gratitude on their celestial truths1 kindled in their souls by a writer who was little short of being inspired40,,rock4 8,these little volumes will be appreciated as presents of inestimable value40,,public ,,opinion4 8,either separate or bound together1 may be had these two standard works of the great divine4 ,a good edition very tastefully printed and bound40,,record4 ,a ,,short ,,and ,,plain ,,instruction ,,for ,,the ,,better ,,understanding ,,of ,,the ,,lord',s ,,supper2 to which is annexed the ,office of the ,holy ,communion1 with proper ,helps and ,directions4 ,by ,,thomas ,,wilson1 ,d4,d41 late ,lord ,bishop of ,sodor and ,man4 ,complete ,edition1 in large type4 ,also a ,cheap ,edition1 without the red borders1 #as41 or in ,cover1 #f;d4 8,the ,messrs4 ,rivington have published a new and unabridged edition of that deservedly popular work1 ,bishop ,wilson on the ,lord's ,supper4 ,the edition is here presented in three forms1 suited to the various members of the household40,,public ,,opinion4 8,we cannot withhold the expression of our admiration of the style and elegance in which this work is got up40,,press ,,and ,,st4 ,,james' ,,chronicle4 8,a departed author being dead yet speaketh in a way which will never be out of date2 ,bishop ,wilson on the ,lord's ,supper1 published by ,messrs4 ,rivington1 in bindings to suit all tastes and pockets40,,church ,,review4 8,we may here fitly record that ,bishop ,wilson on the ,lord's ,supper has been issued in a new but unabridged form40,,daily ,,telegraph4 ,,introduction ,,to ,,the ,,devout ,,life4 ,from the ,french of ,,saint ,,francis of ,sales1 ,bishop and ,prince of ,geneva4 ,a ,new ,translation4 8,a very beautiful edition of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales' #8,devout ,life3' a prettier little edition for binding1 type1 and paper1 of a very great book is not often seen40,,church ,,review4 8,the translation is a good one1 and the volume is beautifully got up4 ,it would serve admirably as a gift book to those who are able to appreciate so spiritual a writer as ,st4 ,francis40,,church ,,times4 8,it has been the food and hope of countless souls ever since its first appearance two centuries and a half ago1 and it still ranks with ,scupoli's #8,combattimento ,spirituale1' and ,arvisenet's #8,memoriale ,vit ,sacerdotalis1' as among the very best works of ascetic theology4 ,we are glad to commend this careful and convenient version to our readers40,,union ,,review4 8,we should be curious to know by how many different hands #8,the ,devout ,life' of ,s4 ,francis de ,sales had been translated into ,english4 ,at any rate1 its popularity is so great that ,messrs4 ,rivington have just issued another translation of it4 ,the style is good1 and the volume is of a most convenient size40,,john ,,bull4 8,to readers of religious treatises1 this volume will be highly valued4 ,the #8,introduction to the ,devout ,life' is preceded by a sketch of the life of the author1 and a dedicatory prayer of the author is also given40,,public ,,opinion4 ,a ,,practical ,,treatise ,,concerning ,,evil ,,thoughts3 wherein their ,nature1 ,origin1 and ,effect are distinctly considered and explained1 with many ,useful ,rules for restraining and suppressing such ,thoughts2 suited to the various conditions of ,life1 and the several tempers of ,mankind1 more especially of melancholy ,persons4 ,by ,,william ,,chilcot1 ,m4,a4 8,an elegant edition of an old devotional manual by a clergyman who was a rector in ,exeter at the beginning of the last century4 ,it seems to contain a great deal of valuable truth as to the sources of evil thoughts and the mode in which they may be expressed40,,english ,,independent4 8,the book is worthy of a careful perusal1 and is one which once known is likely to be recurred to again and again1 a characteristic not always to be met within works of our own day40,,record4 8,messrs4 ,rivington have done all that publishers could do to give strengthening matter a cheerful form40,,church ,,review4 ,,the ,,english ,,poems ,,of ,,george ,,herbert1 together with his ,collection of ,proverbs1 entitled ,,jacula ,,prudentum4 8,this beautiful little volume will be found specially convenient as a pocket manual4 ,the #8,jacula ,prudentum' or proverbs1 deserve to be more widely known than they are at present4 ,in many copies of ,george ,herbert's writings these quaint sayings have been unfortunately omitted40,,rock4 8,george ,herbert is too much a household name to require any introduction4 ,it will be sufficient to say that ,messrs4 ,rivington have published a most compact and convenient edition of the poems and proverbs of this illustrious ,english divine40,,english ,,churchman4 8,an exceedingly pretty edition1 the most attractive form we have yet seen from this delightful author1 as a gift-book40,,union ,,review4 8,a very beautiful edition of the quaint old ,english bard4 ,all lovers of the #8,holy' ,herbert will be grateful to ,messrs4 ,rivington for the care and pains they have bestowed in supplying them with this and withal convenient copy of poems so well known and so deservedly prized40,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 8,a very tasteful little book1 and will doubtless be acceptable to many40,,record4 8,we commend this little book heartily to our readers4 ,it contains ,herbert's ,english poems and the #8,jacula ,prudentum1' in a very neat volume which does much credit to the publishers2 it will1 we hope1 meet with extensive circulation as a choice gift-book at a moderate price40,,christian ,,observer4 ,,new ,,theological ,,dictionary4 ,,dictionary ,,of ,,doctrinal ,,and ,,historical ,,theology4 ,by various writers4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a41 ,f4,s4,a4 ,editor of the ,annotated ,book of ,common ,prayer4 ,second ,edition4 ,complete in one volume of #hcc pages1 imperial #hvo 7equal to six #hvo volumes of #djj pages each71 and printed in large readable type1 #dbs4 or half-bound in morocco1 #ebs4 #f;d4 #a4 ,,nature ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,this ,dictionary consists of a series of original ,essays 7alphabetically arranged1 and #ege in number7 on all the principal subjects connected with the ,doctrines of the ,christian ,church4 ,some idea of the subjects1 and of the length of the articles1 may be formed from the following titles of those which occupy the work from page #gjj to page #gbj4 ,,sign4 ,,spinozism4 ,,suffragan4 ,,simony4 ,,spirit4 ,,sunday4 ,,sin4 ,,spirit1 ,,the ,,holy4 ,,supererogation4 ,,sinaitic ,,codex4 ,,sponsors4 ,,supernatural4 ,,socinianism4 ,,subdeacons4 ,,superstition4 ,,solifidianism4 ,,sublapsarianism4 ,,supralapsarianism4 ,,soul4 ,,substance4 ,,supremacy1 ,,papal4 #b4 ,,object ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,the writers of all the ,essays have endeavoured to make them sufficiently exhaustive to render it unnecessary for the majority of readers to go further for information1 and1 at the same time1 sufficiently suggestive of more recondite sources of ,theological study1 to help the student in following up his subjects4 ,by means of a ,table prefixed to the ,dictionary1 a regular course of such study may be carried out in its pages4 #c4 ,,principles ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,the ,editor and his coadjutors have carefully avoided any party bias1 and consequently the work cannot be said to be either 8,high ,church10 8,low ,church10 or 8,broad ,church40 ,the only bias of the ,dictionary is that given by ,revelation1 ,history1 ,logic1 and the literary idiosyncrasy of each particular contributor4 ,but the ,editor has not attempted to assist the circulation of the book by making it colourless on the pretence of impartiality4 ,errors are freely condemned1 and truths are expressed as if they were worth expressing2 but he believes that no terms of condemnation which may be used ever transgress the bounds of ,christian courtesy4 #d4 ,,part ,,of ,a ,,series4 ,the ,dictionary of ,theology is complete in itself1 but it is also intended to form part of a ,series1 entitled1 8,a ,summary of ,theology10 of which the second volume1 8,a ,dictionary of ,sects1 ,heresies1 and ,schools of ,thought10 is in the press4 8,taken as a whole the articles are the work of practised writers1 and well informed and solid theologians4444 ,we know no book of its size and bulk which supplies the information here given at all2 far less which supplies it in an arrangement so accessible1 with a completeness of information so thorough1 and with an ability in the treatment of profound subjects so great4 ,dr4 ,hook's most useful volume is a work of high calibre1 but it is the work of a single mind4 ,we have here a wider range of thought from a greater variety of sides4 ,we have here also the work of men who evidently know what they write about and are somewhat more profound 7to say the least71 than the writers of the current ,dictionaries of ,sects and ,heresies40,,guardian4 8,mere antiquarianism1 however interesting1 has little place in it4 ,but for all practical purposes its historical articles are excellent4 ,they are of course1 and of necessity1 a good deal condensed1 yet they are wonderfully complete2 see for example such articles as #8,atheism1' #8,cabbala1' #8,calvinism1' #8,canonization1' #8,convocations1' #8,evangelical1' #8,fathers1' #8,infant ,baptism1' c41 c4 ,but the strength of the book lies in the theology proper1 and herein more particularly in what one may call the metaphysical side of doctrine3see the articles on #8,conceptualism1' #8,doubt1' #8,dualism1' #8,election1' #8,eternity1' #8,everlasting ,punishment1' #8,fatalism1' and the like4 ,we mention these as characteristic of the book4 ,at the same time other more practical matters are fully dealt with4 ,there are excellent and elaborate papers on such words as #8,eucharist1' #8,confession1' #8,blood1' #8,cross1' #8,antichrist1' to say nothing of the host of minor matters on which it is most convenient to be able to turn to a book which gives you at a glance the pith of a whole library in a column or a page4 ,thus it will be obvious that it takes a very much wider range than any undertaking of the same kind in our language2 and that to those of our clergy who have not the fortune to spend in books1 and would not have the leisure to use them if they possessed them1 it will be the most serviceable and reliable substitute for a large library we can think of4 ,and in many cases1 while keeping strictly within its province as a ,dictionary1 it contrives to be marvellously suggestive of thought and reflections1 which a serious minded man will take with him and ponder over for his own elaboration and future use4 ,as an example of this we may refer to the whole article on ,doubt4 ,it is treated of under the successive heads of17#a7 its nature2 7#b7 its origin2 7#c7 the history of the principal periods of ,doubt2 7#d7 the consciousnessor actual experience of ,doubt1 and how to deal with its different phases and kinds2 7#e7 the relations of ,doubt to action and to belief4 ,to explain a little we will here quote a paragraph or two1 which may not be unacceptable to our readers4444 ,the variety of the references given in the course of this article1 and at its conclusion1 show how carefully the writer has thought out and studied his subject in its various manifestations in many various minds1 and illustrate very forcibly how much reading goes to a very small amount of space in anything worth the name of #8,dictionary of ,theology4' ,we trust most sincerely that the book may be largely used4 ,for a present to a clergyman on his ordination1 or from a parishioner to his pastor1 it would be most appropriate4 ,it may indeed be called #8a box of tools for a working clergyman4'0,,literary ,,churchman4 8,seldom has an ,english work of equal magnitude been so permeated with ,catholic instincts1 and at the same time seldom has a work on theology been kept so free from the drift of rhetorical incrustation4 ,of course it is not meant that all these remarks apply in their full extent to every article4 ,in a great ,dictionary there are compositions1 as in a great house there are vessels1 of various kinds4 ,some of these at a future day may be replaced by others more substantial in their build1 more proportionate in their outline1 and more elaborate in their detail4 ,but admitting all this1 the whole remains a home to which the student will constantly recur1 sure to find spacious chambers1 substantial furniture1 and 7which is most important7 no stinted light40,,church ,,review4 8,the second and final instalment of ,mr4 ,blunt's useful ,dictionary1 itself but a part of a more comprehensive plan1 is now before the public1 and fully sustains the mainly favourable impression created by the appearance of the first part4 ,within the sphere it has marked out for itself1 no equally useful book of reference exists in ,english for the elucidation of theological problems4444 ,entries which display much care1 research1 and judgment in compilation1 and which will make the task of the parish priest who is brought face to face with any of the practical questions which they involve far easier than has been hitherto4 ,the very fact that the utterances are here and there somewhat more guarded and hesitating than quite accords with our judgment1 is a gain in so far as it protects the work from the charge of inculcating extreme views1 and will thus secure its admission in many places where moderation is accounted the crowning grace40,,church ,,times4 8,the writers who are at work on it are scholars and theologians1 and earnest defenders of the ,christian faith4 ,they evidently hold fast the fundamental doctrines of ,christianity1 and have the religious instruction of the rising ministry at heart4 ,moreover1 their scheme is a noble one2 it does credit not only to their learning and zeal1 but also to their tact and discretion40,,london ,,quarterly ,,review4 8,infinitely the best book of the kind in the language2 and1 if not the best conceivable1 it is perhaps the best we are ever likely to see within its compass as to size and scope4 ,accurate and succinct in statement1 it may safely be trusted as a handbook as regards facts1 while in our judgment1 this second part still maintains the character we gave the first1 namely1 of showing most ability in its way of treating the more abstract and metaphysical side of theological questions4 ,the liturgical articles also in this part deserve especial mention4 ,the book is sure to make its own way by sheer force of usefulness40,,literary ,,churchman4 8,it is not open to doubt that this work1 of which the second and concluding part has just been issued1 is in every sense a valuable and important one4 ,mr4 ,blunt's ,dictionary is a most acceptable addition to ,english theological literature4 ,its general style is terse and vigorous4 ,whilst its pages are free from wordiness1 there is none of that undue condensation which1 under the plea of judicious brevity1 veils a mere empty jotting down of familiar statements 7and mis-statements71 at second or1 it may be1 third hand from existing works4 ,dean ,hook's well-known ,dictionary makes the nearest approach to the one now before us1 but ,mr4 ,blunt's is decidedly the better of the two40,,english ,,churchman4 8,it will be found of admirable service to all students of theology1 as advancing and maintaining the ,church's views of all subjects as fall within the range of fair argument and inquiry4 ,it is not often that a work of so comprehensive and so profound a nature is marked to the very end by so many signs of wide and careful research1 sound criticism1 and well-founded and well-expressed belief40,,standard4 ,,the ,,happiness ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,considered as to the ,particulars of their ,state3 their ,recognition of each other in that ,state3 and its ,differences of ,degrees4 ,to which are added ,musings on the ,church and her ,services4 ,by ,,richard ,,mant1 ,d4,d41 sometime ,lord ,bishop of ,down and ,connor4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 8,a welcome republication of a treatise once highly valued1 and which can never lose its value4 ,many of our readers already know the fulness and discrimination with which the author treats his subject1 which must be one of the most delightful topics of meditation to all whose heart is where the only true treasure is1 and particularly to those who are entering upon the evening of life40,,church ,,review4 8,the value of this book needs not to be referred to1 its standard character having been for many years past established4 ,the edition in which it reappears has evidently been carefully prepared1 and will be the means of making it more generally known40,,bell',s ,,messenger4 8,all recognise the authority of the command to set the affections on things above1 and such works as the one now before us will be found helpful towards this good end4 ,we are1 therefore1 sincerely glad that ,messrs4 ,rivington have brought out a new edition of ,bishop ,mant's valuable treatise40,,record4 8,this beautiful and devotional treatise1 which it is impossible to read without feeling a more deepened interest in the eternal blessedness which awaits the true servants of our ,god1 concludes very appropriately with #8,musings on the ,church and her ,services1' which we cordially recommend to our readers40,,rock4 ,,the ,,services ,,of ,,the ,,church4 ,containing the ,book of ,common ,prayer1 the ,proper ,lessons and ,psalms for ,sundays and ,holy ,days1 and the ,daily ,lessons1 according to the ,use of the ,church of ,england4 ,crown #hvo4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,lessons4 ,containing the ,proper ,lessons and ,psalms for ,sundays and ,holy ,days1 together with the ,daily ,lessons from the ,calendar4 ,crown #hvo4 #is4 ,,aids ,,to ,,prayer2 ,,or1 ,,thoughts ,,on ,,the ,,practice ,,of ,,devotion4 ,with ,forms of ,prayer for ,private ,use4 ,by ,,daniel ,,moore1 ,m4,a41 ,chaplain in ,ordinary to the ,queen1 and ,vicar of ,holy ,trinity1 ,paddington1 ,author of 8,sermons on ,special ,occasions10 ,hulsean ,lectures on 8,the ,age and the ,gospel10 c4 ,second ,edition4 ,square #cbmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 8,the valuable characteristic of this work will be recognised by every serious1 thoughtful ,christian1 in a word1 by all who perceive and lament the growing tendency to prefer the claims of external service1 ecclesiastical controversy1 or multiplied activities to the practice of private devotion4 #8,aids to ,prayer' offers both encouragement and help to those who aspire to higher attainments in the ,divine ,life4 ,every page bears the impress of a matured judgment1 and of an experimental acquaintance with a subject confessedly difficult1 and of supreme importance40,,record4 8,eloquently1 ably1 and practically written40,,english ,,churchman4 8#8,aids to ,prayer' has deservedly reached a second edition4 ,the sermon method of treatment has been wisely discontinued40,,john ,,bull4 ,,the ,,athanasian ,,origin ,,of ,,the ,,athanasian ,,creed4 ,by ,j4 ,s4 ,,brewer1 ,m4,a41 ,preacher at the ,rolls1 and ,honorary ,fellow of ,queen's ,college1 ,oxford4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,reformation ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,england3 its ,history1 ,principles1 and ,results1 ,a4,d4 #aeadaedg4 ,by ,,john ,,henry ,,blunt1 ,m4,a41 ,vicar of ,kennington1 ,oxford4 ,second ,edition4 #hvo4 #afs4 ,,the ,,church ,,builder4 ,a ,quarterly ,journal of ,church ,extension in ,england and ,wales4 ,published in connection with ,the ,incorporated ,church ,building ,society4 ,with ,illustrations4 ,annual ,volumes4 ,crown #hvo4 #as4 #f;d4 each4 ,,parochial ,,and ,,plain ,,sermons4 ,by ,,john ,,henry ,,newman1 ,b4,d41 formerly ,vicar of ,st4 ,mary's1 ,oxford4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,j4 ,,copeland1 ,rector of ,farnham1 ,essex4 ,from the ,text of the last ,editions published by ,messrs4 ,rivington4 #h ,volumes4 ,sold separately4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 each4 ,,sermons ,,bearing ,,upon ,,subjects ,,of ,,the ,,day4 ,by ,,john ,,henry ,,newman1 ,b4,d4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,j4 ,,copeland1 ,rector of ,farnham1 ,essex4 ,with an ,index of ,dates of all the ,sermons4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,fifteen ,,sermons ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,university ,,of ,,oxford1 ,,between ,a4,d4 #ahbf ,,and #ahdc4 ,by ,,john ,,henry ,,newman1 ,b4,d41 sometime ,fellow of ,oriel ,college1 ,oxford4 ,new ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #es4 ,,herbert ,,tresham4 ,a ,tale of the ,great ,rebellion4 ,by the late ,rev4 ,j4 ,m4 ,,neale1 ,d4,d4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 8,we cordially welcome a new edition of ,dr4 ,neale's #8,herbert ,tresham4' ,the scene is laid in the time of the great civil war1 and vivid pictures are drawn of some of the startling events that then disgraced the history of this country4 ,the martyrdom of ,archbishop ,laud is described in a manner few besides its author could equal1 while the narration of the disastrous battle of ,naseby1 and the disgraceful surrender of ,bristol by ,prince ,rupert1 afford proof of the versatility of his genius40,,church ,,times4 8,a pleasant ,christmas present is ,dr4 ,neale's #8,herbert ,tresham4' ,such a book is well calculated to correct current views of #agth century history40,,church ,,review4 8,nothing could be more admirable as a ,christmas present40,,church ,,news4 ,,the ,,manor ,,farm3 ,a ,,tale4 ,by ,m4 ,c4 ,,phillpotts1 ,author of 8,the ,hillford ,confirmation40 ,with ,illustrations4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 8,the ,manor ,farm1 by ,miss ,phillpotts1 author of the #8,hillford ,confirmation1' is a pious story1 which amongst other things shows the dawning of light in superstitious minds40,,morning ,,post4 8#8,the ,manor ,farm' relates how1 under good influence1 a selfish girl became a useful and gentle daughter4 ,the story is a capital illustration of the value of perseverance1 and it is a book that will be very useful in parochial reading libraries40,,john ,,bull4 8,a prettily got-up and prettily written little book above the average of the class it belongs to40,,edinburgh ,,courant4 ,,perranzabuloe1 ,,the ,,lost ,,church ,,found2 ,or the ,church of ,england not a ,new ,church1 but ,ancient1 ,apostolical1 and ,independent1 and a ,protesting ,church ,nine ,hundred ,years before the ,reformation4 ,by the ,rev4 ,c4 ,t4 ,,collins ,,trelawny4 ,seventh ,edition4 ,crown #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,sacred ,,allegories4 ,illustrated ,edition4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4 ,,adams1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow of ,merton ,college1 ,oxford4 ,the ,,shadow of the ,,cross4 ,the ,,distant ,,hills4 ,the ,,old ,,man',s ,,home4 ,the ,,king',s ,,messengers4 ,new ,edition in one ,volume4 ,square #afmo4 #es4 ,the ,cheap ,editions may still be had1 #ahmo41 #as4 each1 or #f;d4 in ,paper ,covers4 ,,english ,,nursery ,,rhymes4 ,translated into ,french4 ,by ,,john ,,roberts1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow of ,magdalene ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,square #afmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,sickness2 ,,its ,,trials ,,and ,,blessings4 ,new ,edition4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,also a ,cheap ,edition1 #as4 #f;d42 or in paper cover1 #as4 ,,catena ,,classicorum ,a ,series of ,classical ,authors4 ,edited by ,members of both ,universities1 under the ,direction of the ,rev4 ,arthur ,holmes1 ,m4,a41 ,senior ,fellow and ,dean of ,clare ,college1 ,cambridge1 and late ,preacher at the ,chapel ,royal1 ,whitehall2 and the ,rev4 ,charles ,bigg1 ,m4,a41 late ,senior ,student and ,tutor of ,christ ,church1 ,oxford2 ,principal of ,brighton ,college4 ,sophoclis ,tragoediae4 ,,the ,,electra1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,ajax1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,edited by ,r4 ,c4 ,,jebb1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow and ,tutor of ,trinity ,college1 ,cambridge1 and ,public ,orator of the ,university4 ,juvenalis ,satirae4 ,edited by ,g4 ,a4 ,,simcox1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow and ,classical ,lecturer of ,queen's ,college1 ,oxford4 ,new ,edition1 revised4 #es4 ,thucydidis ,historia4 ,edited by ,,charles ,,bigg1 ,m4,a41 late ,senior ,student and ,tutor of ,christ ,church1 ,oxford2 ,principal of ,brighton ,college4 ,books ,i4 and ,,ii41 with ,introductions4 #fs4 ,demosthenis ,orationes ,publicae4 ,,the ,,olynthiacs1 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,philippics1 #cs4 ,,de ,,falsa ,,legatione1 #fs4 ,edited by ,g4 ,h4 ,,heslop1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow and ,assistant ,tutor of ,queen's ,college1 ,oxford2 ,head ,master of ,st4 ,bees4 ,aristophanis ,comoediae4 ,,the ,,acharnians and ,,the ,,knights1 #ds4 ,,the ,,clouds1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,the ,,wasps1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,edited by ,w4 ,c4 ,,green1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow of ,king's ,college1 ,cambridge2 ,assistant ,master at ,rugby ,school4 ,an ,edition of ,,the ,,acharnians and ,,the ,,knights1 ,revised and especially adapted for ,use in ,schools4 #ds4 ,isocratis ,orationes4 ,,ad ,,demonicum ,,et ,,panegyricus1 #ds4 #f;d4 ,edited by ,,john ,,edwin ,,sandys1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow and ,tutor of ,st4 ,john's ,college1 ,classical ,lecturer at ,jesus ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,persii ,satirae4 ,edited by ,a4 ,,pretor1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow of ,st4 ,catherine's ,college1 ,cambridge1 ,classical ,lecturer of ,trinity ,hall4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,homeri ,ilias4 ,edited by ,s4 ,h4 ,,reynolds1 ,m4,a41 late ,fellow and ,tutor of ,brasenose ,college1 ,oxford4 ,books ,i4 to ,,xii4 #fs4 ,terenti ,comoediae4 ,,andria ,,et ,,eunuchus1 #ds4 #f;d4 ,edited by ,t4 ,l4 ,,papillon1 ,m4,a41 ,fellow of ,new ,college1 ,oxford1 late ,fellow of ,merton4 ,demosthenis ,orationes4 ,,de ,,corona1 #es4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,arthur ,,holmes1 ,m4,a41 ,senior ,fellow and ,dean of ,clare ,college1 ,cambridge1 and late ,preacher at the ,chapel ,royal1 ,whitehall4 ,herodoti ,historia4 ,edited by ,h4 ,g4 ,,woods1 ,fellow and ,tutor of ,trinity ,college1 ,oxford4 ,book ,i4 #fs4 ,book ,,ii4 #es4 ,,rivington',s ,,mathematical ,,series ,,algebra4 ,part ,i4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a41 of ,gonville and ,caius ,college1 and late ,lecturer at ,st4 ,peter's ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,part ,i4 #abmo4 #cs42 without ,answers1 #bs4 #f;d4 8,the design of this treatise is to explain all that is commonly included in a ,first ,part of ,algebra4 ,in the arrangement of the chapters1 ,i have followed the advice of experienced teachers4 ,i have carefully abstained from making extracts from books in common use4 ,the only work to which ,i am indebted for any material assistance is the ,algebra of the late ,dean ,peacock1 which ,i took as the model for the commencement of my treatise4 ,the examples1 progressive and easy1 have been selected from university and college examination papers1 and from ,old ,english1 ,french1 and ,german works40,,from ,,the ,,preface4 8,it is evident that ,mr4 ,hamblin ,smith is a teacher1 and has written to meet the special wants of students4 ,he does not carry the student out of his depth by sudden plunges1 but leads him gradually onward1 never beyond his depth from any desire to hurry forward4 ,the examples appear to be particularly well arranged1 so as to afford a means of steady progress4 ,with such books the judicious teacher will have abundant supply of examples and problems for those who need to have each step ensured by familiarity1 and he will be able to allow the more rapid learner to travel onward with ease and swiftness4 ,we can confidently recommend ,mr4 ,hamblin ,smith's books4 ,candidates preparing for ,civil ,service examinations under the new system of open competition will find these works to be of great value40,,civil ,,service ,,gazette4 ,,exercises ,,on ,,algebra4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a4 ,part ,i4 #abmo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,elementary ,,trigonometry4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a4 ,part ,i4 #abmo4 #ds4 #f;d4 ,,elementary ,,hydrostatics4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a4 ,part ,i4 #abmo4 #cs4 ,,elements ,,of ,,geometry4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a4 ,containing the ,first ,six and portions of the ,eleventh and ,twelfth ,books of ,euclid1 with ,exercises and ,notes1 arranged with the ,abbreviations admitted in the ,cambridge ,examinations4 #abmo1 #cs4 #f;d4 ,part ,i41 containing the ,first ,two ,books of ,euclid1 with ,exercises and ,notes4 #abmo1 #bs42 limp cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,part ,,ii41 containing the ,third and ,fourth ,books of ,euclid1 with ,exercises and ,notes4 #abmo1 #bs42 limp cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,part ,,iii41 containing the ,fifth and ,sixth and portions of the ,eleventh and ,twelfth ,books of ,euclid1 with ,exercises and ,notes4 #abmo1 #bs42 limp cloth1 #as4 #f;d4 ,,elementary ,,statics4 ,by ,j4 ,,hamblin ,,smith1 ,m4,a4 #abmo4 #cs4 ,other ,volumes are in preparation4 ,,select ,,plays ,,of ,,shakspere ,,rugby ,,edition4 ,with an ,introduction and ,notes to each ,play4 ,small #hvo4 ,,as ,,you ,,like ,,it4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,charles ,e4 ,,moberly1 ,m4,a41 ,assistant ,master in ,rugby ,school1 formerly ,scholar of ,balliol ,college1 ,oxford #bs42 paper cover1 #as4 #f;d4 ,,macbeth4 ,edited by the same4 #bs42 paper cover1 #as4 #f;d4 ,,coriolanus4 ,edited by ,,robert ,,whitelaw1 ,m4,a41 ,assistant ,master in ,rugby ,school1 formerly ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,cambridge4 #bs4 #f;d42 paper cover1 #bs4 ,,hamlet4 ,edited by the ,rev4 ,,charles ,e4 ,,moberly1 ,m4,a4 #bs4 #f;d42 in paper cover1 #bs4 ,,the ,,tempest4 ,edited by ,j4 ,,surtees ,,phillpotts1 ,m4,a41 ,assistant ,master in ,rugby ,school1 formerly ,fellow of ,new ,college1 ,oxford4 ,in preparation4 ,,much ,,ado ,,about ,,nothing4 ,edited by the same4 ,in preparation4 ,other ,plays are in preparation4 ,,latin ,,prose ,,exercises4 ,being ,easy ,graduated ,english ,sentences for ,translation into ,latin1 with ,rules1 ,explanations1 a ,vocabulary1 and ,index4 ,intended for the ,use of ,beginners and ,junior ,forms of ,schools4 ,by ,r4 ,,prowde ,,smith1 ,b4,a41 ,assistant ,master at the ,grammar ,school1 ,henley-on-,thames4 ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 ,,selections ,,from ,,lucian4 ,with ,english ,notes4 ,by ,,evelyn ,,abbott1 ,assistant ,master in ,clifton ,college4 ,small #hvo4 #cs4 #f;d4 ,,scenes ,,from ,,greek ,,plays4 ,rugby ,edition4 ,abridged and adapted for the ,use of ,schools1 by ,,arthur ,,sidgwick1 ,m4,a41 ,assistant ,master at ,rugby ,school1 and formerly ,fellow of ,trinity ,college1 ,cambridge4 ,,aristophanes4 ,the ,clouds4 ,the ,frogs4 ,the ,knights4 ,plutus4 ,,euripides4 ,iphigenia in ,taurus4 ,the ,cyclops4 ,ion4 ,small #hvo4 #as4 #f;d4 each1 or #as4 in paper cover4 ,,messrs4 ,,rivington',s ,,complete ,,school ,,catalogue1 with ,press ,notices and ,specimen ,pages1 may be had on application4 ,,index 7to the ,catalog7 ,,page ,,abbott 7,evelyn71 ,selections from ,lucian1 #cj ,adams 7,w471 ,holy ,week1 #c 1 ,sacred ,allegories1 #bg ,kempis1 ,imitation of ,christ1 #bb ,alford 7,henry71 ,greek ,testament1 #af 1 ,new ,testament for ,english ,readers1 #af ,andrewes 7,bishop ,lancelot71 ,manual for the ,sick1 #ah ,annotated ,prayer ,book1 ,by ,j4 ,h4 ,blunt1 #ac ,annual ,register1 #aj ,aristophanis ,comoediae1 by ,w4 ,c4 ,green1 #bh ,aristophanes 7,scenes from71 by ,sidgwick1 #cj ,avancini1 ,vita et ,doctrina ,jesu ,christi1 #af ,,bickersteth 7,e4 ,h471 ,two ,brothers1 #g 1 ,yesterday1 ,to-,day1 etc41 #g ,bigg 7,chas71 ,thucydidis ,historia1 #bh ,blunt 7,j4 ,h47 ,directorium ,pastorale1 #f 1 ,household ,theology1 #ac 1 ,key to ,bible1 #bj 1 ,key to ,church ,catechism1 #bj 1 ,key to ,church ,history 7,ancient71 #bj 1 ,key to ,church ,history 7,modern71 #ba 1 ,key to ,common ,prayer1 #bj 1 ,reformation1 #bf 1 and ,norris 7,j4 ,p471 ,keys to ,christian ,knowledge1 #bj 1 and ,phillimore 7,g4 ,f471 ,book of ,church ,law1 #a ,body 7,george71 ,life of ,justification1 #i ,book of ,lessons1 #bf 1 ,the1 ,church ,law1 #a ,brewer 7,j4 ,s471 ,athanasian ,creed1 #bf ,bright 7,a4 ,w471 and ,medd 7,p4 ,g471 ,liber ,precum ,publicarum1 #ac ,bruton 7,e4 ,g471 ,ecclesiastical ,dilapidations1 #g ,,campion 7,w4 ,m47 and ,beamont 7,w4 ,j471 ,prayer ,book ,interleaved1 #aj ,catena ,classicorum1 #bh ,chilcot 7,william71 ,evil ,thoughts1 #bc ,church ,builder1 #bf ,common ,prayer and ,ordinal1 #aedi1 #af ,companion to ,old ,testament1 #ad ,consolatio1 by ,c4 ,e4 ,kennaway1 #f ,,demosthenis ,,orationes1 by ,arthur ,holmes1 #bh 1 ,publicae1 by ,g4 ,h4 ,heslop1 #bh ,dictionary of ,theology1 #bd ,dllinger 7,john ,j4 ,ign4 ,von471 ,fables respecting the ,popes1 c41 #ad 1 ,lectures on ,reunion1 #c ,dominican ,artist 7,a71 #d ,,edward ,,vi41 ,first ,book of ,common ,prayer of1 #af ,euripides1 ,scenes from1 by ,sidgwick1 #cj ,,field 7,walter71 ,stones of the ,temple1 #h ,fosbery 7,t4 ,v471 ,hymns and ,poems1 c41 #g ,,glossary of ,ecclesiastical ,terms1 by ,orby ,shipley1 #g ,goulburn 7,dean71 ,manual of ,confirmation1 #f 1 ,family ,prayers1 #f 1 ,pursuit of ,holiness1 #f 1 ,thoughts on ,personal ,religion1 #a ,gould 7,s4 ,b47 ,curious ,myths1 c41 #ag 1 ,religious ,belief1 #c ,gratry 7,pre71 ,henri ,perreyve1 #e 1 ,last ,days of1 #e ,greek ,testament1 by ,dean ,alford1 #af ,green 7,w4 ,c471 ,aristophanis ,comoediae1 #bh ,guide to ,heaven1 #b ,gurney 7,augustus71 ,home ,life of ,jesus of ,nazareth1 #ab ,,haddan 7,a4 ,w471 ,apostolic ,succession1 #ah ,help and ,comfort for the ,sick ,poor1 #ah ,herbert 7,george71 ,poems and ,proverbs1 #bc ,herodoti ,historia1 by ,h4 ,g4 ,woods1 #bh ,hidden ,life of the ,soul1 #d ,hodgson 7,chris471 ,instructions for the ,clergy1 #af ,holmes 7,arthur71 ,demosthenis ,orationes1 #bh ,homeri ,ilias1 by4 ,s4 ,h4 ,reynolds1 #bh ,hook 7,w4 ,f471 ,family ,prayers1 #f ,hoole 7,chas4 ,h471 ,shepherd of ,hermas1 #f ,hymns and ,poems1 by ,t4 ,v4 ,fosbery1 #g ,,imitation of ,christ1 #bb ,isocratis ,orationes1 by ,john ,edwin ,sandys1 #bh ,,janus1 ,pope and ,council1 #ag ,jebb 7,r4 ,c471 ,sophoclis ,tragoediae1 #bh ,juvenalis ,satirae1 by ,g4 ,a4 ,simcox1 #bh ,,kay 7,w47 on the ,psalms1 #ac ,keys to ,christian ,knowledge1 #ai1 #bj ,kennaway 7,c4 ,e471 ,consolatio1 #f ,,letters from ,rome on the ,council1 by ,quirinus1 #ag ,liber ,precum ,publicarum1 #ac ,liddon 7,h4 ,p471 ,bampton ,lectures1 #ac 1 ,elements of ,religion1 #ac 1 ,university ,sermons1 #ac ,louise1 ,life of ,madame1 de ,france1 #d ,lyte 7,henry ,f471 ,poems1 #aa ,,maccoll 7,m471 ,damnatory ,clauses1 etc41 #g ,mahan 7,milo71 ,church ,history1 #ab ,mant 7,richard71 ,ancient ,hymns1 #g 1 ,happiness of the ,blessed1 #bf ,melvill 7,henry71 ,sermons1 #ae 1 ,latter ,sermons1 #ae 1 ,sermons on ,less ,prominent ,facts1 #ae ,mercier 7,anne71 ,our ,mother ,church1 #ae ,moberly 7,george71 ,brighstone ,sermons1 #c 1 ,great ,forty ,days1 #c ,monsell 7,john ,s4 ,b471 ,parish ,musings1 #h ,moore 7,daniel71 ,aids to ,prayer1 #bf 1 ,sermons1 #i ,mozley's 7,j4 ,b47 ,lectures on the ,miracles1 #aa ,,neale 7,j4 ,m471 ,herbert ,tresham1 #bg ,newman 7,j4 ,h471 ,sermons1 #bg 1 ,sermons1 ,oxford ,university1 #bg 1 ,sermons1 ,subjects of the ,day1 #bg ,new ,testament by ,henry ,alford1 #af ,norris 7,j4 ,b471 ,key to the ,acts1 #ba 1 ,key to the ,four ,gospels1 #ba ,,papillon 7,t4 ,l471 ,terenti ,comoediae1 #bh ,path of ,holiness1 #b ,perraud 7,pre ,a471 ,last ,days of ,pre ,gratry1 #e ,perreyve 7,henri71 ,life of1 #e ,persii ,satirae1 by ,a4 ,pretor1 #bh ,phillpotts 7,m4 ,c471 ,hillford ,confirmation1 #ah 1 ,manor ,farm1 #bg ,pope1 ,the1 and the ,council1 by ,janus1 #ag ,prayer ,book ,interleaved1 #aj ,prayers and ,meditations for ,holy ,communion1 #aj ,,quirinus1 ,letters from ,rome1 #ag ,,reynolds 7,s4 ,h471 ,homeri ,ilias1 #bh ,ridley 7,w4 ,h471 ,bible ,readings1 #aa ,rivington's ,devotional ,series1 #bb ,mathematical ,series1 #bi ,roberts 7,john71 ,english ,nursery ,rhymes1 #bg ,romanoff 7,h4 ,c471 ,historical ,narratives1 #aj 1 ,rites and ,customs of the ,greco-,russian ,church1 #ad 1 ,s4 ,john ,chrysostom's ,liturgy1 #aa ,rossetti 7,maria ,f471 ,shadow of ,dante1 #h ,,sales 7,s4 ,francis de71 ,devout ,life1 #bc 1 ,letters1 #f 1 ,life1 #e 1 ,spirit1 #e ,sandys 7,j4 ,e471 ,isocratis ,orationes1 #bh ,scudamore 7,w4 ,e471 ,manual of ,prayers1 #ab 1 ,notitia ,eucharistica1 #ab ,self-,renunciation1 #c ,services of the ,church1 #bf ,shakspere's ,as ,you ,like ,it1 #cj ,coriolanus1 #cj ,hamlet1 #cj ,macbeth1 #cj ,much ,ado about ,nothing1 #cj ,tempest1 #cj ,shepherd of ,hermas1 #f ,shipley 7,orby71 ,glossary of ,ecclesiastical ,terms1 #g ,sickness2 ,its ,trials1 c41 #bg ,sidgwick's ,scenes from ,greek ,plays1 #cj ,simcox 7,g4 ,a471 ,juvenalis ,satirae1 #bh ,smith 7,j4 ,h471 ,algebra1 ,part ,i41 #bi 1 ,algebra1 ,exercises on1 #bi 1 ,geometry1 #bi 1 ,hydrostatics1 #bi 1 ,statics1 #bi 1 ,trigonometry1 #bi ,smith 7,r4 ,prowde71 ,latin ,prose ,exercises1 #cj ,sophoclis ,tragoediae1 by ,r4 ,c4 ,jebb1 #bh ,stainer 7,john71 ,theory of ,harmony1 #aa ,star of ,childhood1 #b ,stephens 7,a4 ,j471 ,argument3 ,sheppard v4 ,bennett1 #ad ,stone 7,s4 ,j471 ,poems1 #i ,sutton 7,fred4 ,h471 ,church ,organs1 #aa ,,taylor 7,jeremy71 ,holy ,dying1 #bb 1 ,holy ,living1 #bb ,terenti ,comoediae1 by ,t4 ,l4 ,papillon1 #bh ,thucydidis ,historia1 by ,chas4 ,bigg1 #bh ,treasury of ,devotion1 #b ,trelawny1 7,c4 ,t4 ,c471 ,perranzabuloe1 #bg ,,walton 7,h4 ,b471 and ,medd 7,p4 ,g471 ,common ,prayer and ,ordinal1 #aedi1 #af ,way of ,life1 #b ,williams 7,isaac71 ,devotional ,commentary1 #ai 1 ,female ,scripture ,characters1 #ah 1 ,old ,testament ,characters1 #ah ,wilson 7,bishop71 ,lord's ,supper1 #bb ,woods 7,h4 ,g471 ,herodoti ,historia1 #bh ,wordsworth 7,charles71 ,catechesis1 #aa