SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:12
Porque el hombre tampoco conoce su tiempo; como los peces que son presos en la mala red, y como las aves que se prenden en lazo, así son enlazados los hijos de los hombres en el tiempo malo, cuando cae de repente sobre ellos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 9:12
Verse 12. As the birds that are caught - Man acts so heedlessly, notwithstanding all his wisdom, and all his warnings, that he is often taken, as a fish is, by the baited hook; and the bird by the baited snare. And thus, an evil time, like the snare, gin, trap, hook, falleth suddenly upon them; and they are taken in a moment, and have no means of escaping. How frequently do we see these comparisons illustrated!
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. For man also knoweth not his time , etc.] Though it is fixed and settled by the Lord, yet times and seasons are kept in his own power, and not known by men; not the time of his death, nor of any calamity and distress coming upon him, nor the proper season and opportunity of doing himself good, and avoiding evil; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare ; as fishes are suddenly taken in a net, unhappy for them, which is at once east over them, while they are sporting and playing in the water, and catching at the bait; and as birds, being decoyed, are unawares taken in a snare; that is, both of them know not the time of their being caught; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them ; they are no more able to guard against a time of adversity and calamity, and the evil of it, which comes at once upon them, than the poor fishes or silly birds are to avoid the net and snare; and are, like them, at such a time, in the utmost security, indulging themselves in ease and pleasure: so the day of death, and of judgment, will come like a thief in the night; or like a snare upon men, when they think nothing of it, but are giving up themselves to their lusts and pleasures; (see 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3 Luke 21:34,35 17:26,30); for pleasure, as Plato says, is the bait of evils, with which men are caught, as fishes with the hook f227 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Good and bad men fare alike as to this world. (Eccl. 9:1-3) All me must die, Their portion as to this life. (Eccl. 9:4-10) Disappointment common. (Eccl. 9:11,12) Benefits of wisdom. (Eccl. 9:13-18)
Eccl. 9:1-3 We are not to think our searching into the word or works of God useless, because we cannot explain all difficulties. We may lear many things good for ourselves and useful to others. But man cannot always decide who are objects of God's special love, or under his wrath; and God will certainly put a difference between the precious an the vile, in the other world. The difference as to present happiness arises from the inward supports and consolations the righteous enjoy and the benefit they derive from varied trials and mercies. As far a the sons of men are left to themselves, their hearts are full of evil and prosperity in sin, causes them even to set God at defiance by daring wickedness. Though, on this side death, the righteous and the wicked may often seem to fare alike, on the other side there will be vast difference between them.
Eccl. 9:4-10 The most despicable living man's state, is preferable to that of the most noble who have died impenitent. Solomon exhorts the wise and pious to cheerful confidence in God, whatever their conditio in life. The meanest morsel, coming from their Father's love, in answe to prayer, will have a peculiar relish. Not that we may set our heart upon the delights of sense, but what God has given us we may use with wisdom. The joy here described, is the gladness of heart that spring from a sense of the Divine favour. This is the world of service, tha to come is the world of recompence. All in their stations, may fin some work to do. And above all, sinners have the salvation of their souls to seek after, believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation.
Eccl. 9:11,12 Men's success seldom equals their expectations. We mus use means, but not trust to them: if we succeed, we must give God the praise; if crossed, we must submit to his will. Those who put off the great concerns of their souls, are caught in Satan's net, which he baits with some worldly object, for which they reject or neglect the gospel, and go on in sin till they suddenly fall into destruction.
Eccl. 9:13-18 A man may, by his wisdom, bring to pass that which he could never do by his strength. If God be for us, who can be agains us, or stand before us? Solomon observes the power of wisdom, though it may labour under outward disadvantages. How forcible are right words But wise and good men must often content themselves with the satisfaction of having done good, or, at least, endeavoured to do it when they cannot do the good they would, nor have the praise the should. How many of the good gifts, both of nature and Providence, doe one sinner destroy and make waste! He who destroys his own sou destroys much good. One sinner may draw many into his destroying ways See who are the friends and enemies of a kingdom or a family, if on saint does much good, and one sinner destroys much good __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
כי 3588 גם 1571 לא 3808 ידע 3045 האדם 120 את 853 עתו 6256 כדגים 1709 שׁנאחזים 270 במצודה 4686 רעה 7451 וכצפרים 6833 האחזות 270 בפח 6341 כהם 1992 יוקשׁים 3369 בני 1121 האדם 120 לעת 6256 רעה 7451 כשׁתפול 5307 עליהם 5921 פתאם׃ 6597
