Ecclesiastes 7:10
"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Say not thou, what is the cause that the former days were better than these?.... This is a common opinion, that in all ages prevails among men, that former times were better than present ones; that trade flourished more, and men got more wealth and riches,

and lived in greater ease and plenty; and complain that their lot is cast in such hard times, and are ready to lay the blame upon the providence of God, and murmur at it, which they should not do; for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this: this is owing to ignorance of former times; which, if rightly inquired into, or the true knowledge of them could be come at, it would appear that they were no better than the present; and that there were always bad men, and bad things done; frauds, oppressions, and violence, and everything that can be complained of now: or if things are worse than they were, this should be imputed to the badness of men; and the inquirer should look to himself, and his own ways, and see if there is not a cause there, and study to redeem the time, because the days are evil; and not arraign the providence of God, and murmur at that, and quarrel with it; as if the distributions of it were unequal, and justice not done in one age as in another

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (15 words)

H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H3117 יוֹם
Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H7223 רִאשׁוֹן
Definition:

19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a 19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a

Possible Meanings:
  • former (semantic_range)
  • first (semantic_range)
  • chief (semantic_range)
H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H2896 טוֹב
Definition:

Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the

Possible Meanings:
  • good things (semantic_range)
  • goods (semantic_range)
  • goodness (semantic_range)
H0428 אֵלֶּה
Definition:

4& often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (alwayswithoutthe article)Exodus 9:14(read with Hi.אֵלֶּה בְּךָforאֶללִֿבְּךָ)Exodus 10:1אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּהthesemy signs,Exodus 11:8;Deute 4& often: in apposition to a substantive with a pronominal suffix (alwayswithoutthe article)Exodus 9:14(read with Hi.אֵלֶּה בְּךָforאֶללִֿבְּךָ)Exodus 10:1אֹתֹתַי אֵלֶּהthesemy signs,Exodus 11:8;Deute

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H2451 חָכְמָה
Definition:

3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14: 3106t.; constructחָכְמַתExodus 35:3515t.; suffixחָכְמָתִיEcclesiastes 2:9, etc. + 25 t. suffix; plural abstract emphaticחָכְמוֺתPsalm 49:4;Proverbs 1:20;Proverbs 9:1;Proverbs 24:7;חַכְמוֺתProverbs 14:

Possible Meanings:
  • wisdom (semantic_range)
H7592 שָׁאַל
Definition:

25+,שָׁאָ֑לJudges 8:262t.; consecutiveוְשָׁ֫אַל לוֺNumbers 27:21; suffixוּשְׁאֵלְךָconsecutiveGenesis 32:18(Ges§ 64f),וּשְׁאֵלֵךְconsecutiveJudges 4:20; 1singular suffixשְׁאִלְתִּיו1 Samuel 1:20,שְׁאִ 25+,שָׁאָ֑לJudges 8:262t.; consecutiveוְשָׁ֫אַל לוֺNumbers 27:21; suffixוּשְׁאֵלְךָconsecutiveGenesis 32:18(Ges§ 64f),וּשְׁאֵלֵךְconsecutiveJudges 4:20; 1singular suffixשְׁאִלְתִּיו1 Samuel 1:20,שְׁאִ

Possible Meanings:
  • ask (semantic_range)
  • ask for (semantic_range)
  • request (semantic_range)
  • inquire about (semantic_range)
  • for (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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