Ecc 1:13, 17 | JFB | STEP | 13. this sore travail —namely, that of "searching out all things done under heaven." Not human wisdom in general, which comes afterwards ( , &c.), but laborious enquiries into, and speculations about, the works of men; for example, political science. As man is doomed to get his bread, so his knowledge, by the sweat of his brow ( ) [GILL ]. exercised —that is, disciplined; literally, "that they may thereby chastise, or humble themselves."

Ecclesiastes 1:13

13. this sore travail—namely, that of "searching out all things done under heaven." Not human wisdom in general, which comes afterwards (Ec 2:12, &c.), but laborious enquiries into, and speculations about, the works of men; for example, political science. As man is doomed to get his bread, so his knowledge, by the sweat of his brow (Ge 3:19) [GILL].

exercised—that is, disciplined; literally, "that they may thereby chastise, or humble themselves."

Ecclesiastes 1:17

17. wisdom . . . madness—that is, their effects, the works of human wisdom and folly respectively. "Madness," literally, "vaunting extravagance"; Ec 2:12; 7:25, &c., support English Version rather than DATHE, "splendid matters." "Folly" is read by English Version with some manuscripts, instead of the present Hebrew text, "prudence." If Hebrew be retained, understand "prudence," falsely so called (1Ti 6:20), "craft" (Da 8:25).