Ecc 3:16-5:7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Eccl 3:16-5:7: 3:16–5:7 This section comments on a variety of topics, including justice, humans and animals, oppression, moderation, companionship, politics, and worship. 3:16 courtroom (literally the place of justice ): In Israel, local court proceedings were held at the city gates, where the city’s elders sat to hear and adjudicate legal matters (e.g., see Ruth 4:1-12 ).

Summary for Eccl 3:16-5:7: 3:16–5:7 ^a This section comments on a variety of topics, including justice, humans and animals, oppression, moderation, companionship, politics, and worship. 3:16 ^b courtroom (literally the place of justice): In Israel, local court proceedings were held at the city gates, where the city’s elders sat to hear and adjudicate legal matters (e.g., see Ruth 4:1-12 ^c).
3:17 ^d In due season God will judge: Human injustices (3:16 ^e) are temporary and will be righted by God’s justice. The narrator repeats this point to close the entire book (12:14 ^f).
3:19 ^g With respect to breathing and dying, people have no real advantage over the animals, but we have other advantages (e.g., see Gen 1:26-28 ^h).
3:20 ⁱ from dust ... to dust: The Teacher refers to God’s judgment against human rebellion in Eden (see Gen 3:19 ^j).
3:21 ^k the human spirit goes up: Cp. 12:7 ^l.
3:22 ^m happy in their work: Work now stands alone as a source of enjoyment, apart from food and drink (cp. 2:24-25 ⁿ; 3:12-13 ^o).

‏ Ecclesiastes 4

4:1 ^p all the oppression: Abuse is rampant at many levels in society—in family, religion, the workplace, government, and foreign powers.
4:2 ^q Where oppression reigns, the dead are better off than the living. Those who have died are no longer mistreated.
4:4 ^r Most people are motivated to success by a competitive drive. Since the fruits of these efforts have no intrinsic value, the Teacher recommends that moderation (4:5-6 ^s) replace envy.
Summary for Eccl 4:5-6: 4:5-6 ^t Fools do not even try to succeed and end up impoverished. Others frantically devote two handfuls—all their time and effort—to hard work in pursuit of fleeting wealth that they will have no time to enjoy (cp. Prov 23:4-5 ^u). Wise people practice moderation and contentment (quietness).
Summary for Eccl 4:7-8: 4:7-8 ^v This solitary man is a case study of the principle expressed in 4:6 ^w.
Summary for Eccl 4:9-12: 4:9-12 ^x Two people are better off than one: The solitary man (4:8 ^y) brings to mind the advantages of partnerships for business and for personal well-being.
Summary for Eccl 4:13-14: 4:13-14 ^z It is better to be ... wise: Wisdom is valuable for its practical benefits.
Summary for Eccl 4:15-16: 4:15-16 ^aa As with everything else, a ruler’s popularity is only temporary and fleeting, like the wind.

‏ Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

5:1 ^ab Though the house of God provides opportunity for reverent words and measured promises, it is primarily a place for listening.
5:3 ^ac Too much activity ... too many words: Moderation should characterize our efforts and words (cp. Prov 10:19 ^ad).
Summary for Eccl 5:4-5: 5:4-5 ^ae Keep all the promises you make to him: This is virtually a direct quote from the law (Deut 23:21-23 ^af; see also Prov 12:22 ^ag; 20:25 ^ah). Vows to God were voluntary, but once they were made, it was obligatory to keep them.
5:7 ^ai Fear God: Reverence for God is the foundation for worthwhile words and useful activities (see 12:1 ^aj; Prov 1:7 ^ak).