Ecc 1:15, 12:12 | JFB | STEP | 15. Investigation ( ) into human ways is vain labor, for they are hopelessly "crooked" and "cannot be made straight" by it ( ). God, the chief good, alone can do this ( ). wanting — ( ). numbered —so as to make a complete number; so equivalent to "supplied" [MAURER ]. Or, rather, man's state is utterly wanting; and that which is wholly defective cannot be numbered or calculated. The investigator thinks he can draw up, in accurate numbers, statistics of man's wants; but these, including the defects in the investigator's labor, are not partial, but total.

Ecclesiastes 1:15

15. Investigation (Ec 1:13) into human ways is vain labor, for they are hopelessly "crooked" and "cannot be made straight" by it (Ec 7:13). God, the chief good, alone can do this (Isa 40:4; 45:2).

wanting— (Da 5:27).

numbered—so as to make a complete number; so equivalent to "supplied" [MAURER]. Or, rather, man's state is utterly wanting; and that which is wholly defective cannot be numbered or calculated. The investigator thinks he can draw up, in accurate numbers, statistics of man's wants; but these, including the defects in the investigator's labor, are not partial, but total.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

12. (See on Ec 1:18).

many books—of mere human composition, opposed to "by these"; these inspired writings are the only sure source of "admonition."

(over much) study—in mere human books, wearies the body, without solidly profiting the soul.