Ecc 8:8 | JFB | STEP | 8. spirit —"breath of life" ( ), as the words following require. Not "wind," as WEISS thinks ( ). This verse naturally follows the subject of "times" and "judgment" ( ). discharge —alluding to the liability to military service of all above twenty years old ( ), yet many were exempted ( ). But in that war (death) there is no exemption. those . . . given to —literally, the master of it. Wickedness can get money for the sinner, but cannot deliver him from the death, temporal and eternal, which is its penalty ( ).

Ecclesiastes 8:8

8. spirit—"breath of life" (Ec 3:19), as the words following require. Not "wind," as WEISS thinks (Pr 30:4). This verse naturally follows the subject of "times" and "judgment" (Ec 8:6, 7).

discharge—alluding to the liability to military service of all above twenty years old (Nu 1:3), yet many were exempted (De 20:5-8). But in that war (death) there is no exemption.

those . . . given to—literally, the master of it. Wickedness can get money for the sinner, but cannot deliver him from the death, temporal and eternal, which is its penalty (Isa 28:15, 18).