SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:19
Por el placer se hace el convite, y el vino alegra los vivos; y el dinero responde a todo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 10:19
Verse 19. A feast is made for laughter - The object of it is to produce merriment, to banish care and concern of every kind. But who are they who make and frequent such places? Epicures and drunkards generally; such as those of whom Horace speaks: Nos numerus sumus, et fruges consumere nati. Epist. lib. i., ep. 2, ver. 27. "Those whose names stand as indications of men, the useless many; and who appear to be born only to consume the produce of the soil." But money answereth all - This saying has prevailed everywhere.
Scilicet uxorem cum dote, fidemque, et amicos, Et genus, et formam REGINA PECUNIA donat; Ac bene nummatum decorat Suadela, Venusque. HOR. EP. lib. i., ep. 6, ver. 36.
"For gold, the sovereign QUEEN of all below, Friends, honour, birth, and beauty, can bestow. The goddess of persuasion forms her train; And Venus decks the well-bemonied swain." FRANCIS.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. A feast is made for laughter , etc.] Or, “who make bread for laughter” f253 . Not bakers, who make bread for common use, and for all sorts of persons, sorrowful ones as others; but luxurious men, particularly such princes as are before described; they “make bread”, that is, a feast, as the phrase is used, ( Daniel 5:1); not for mere refreshment, but to promote mirth and gaiety to an excessive degree; being attended with rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, with revellings and dancing; and wine maketh merry ; or, “and [they prepare] wine” f254 ; which is provided in plenty at feasts; and which is sometimes put for a feast itself, and called a banquet of wine, ( Esther 7:2); which wine makes merry, and men drink of it till they become drunk with it, at such profuse feasts: or, “which maketh life cheerful” f255 ; as it does, when moderately used: “cheers the living”; so Aben Ezra; but money answereth all [things] ; is in the room of all things, and by it men obtain everything they want and wish for; it answers the requests of all, and supplies them with what they stand in need of, or can desire: particularly such expensive feasts, and sumptuous entertainments, are made by means of money; and, in this luxurious way, the coffers of princes are drained, and they are obliged to raise new levies, and impose new taxes upon their subjects, to the oppression of them. Or else the sense may be, that princes should consider, and not be so profuse in their manner of living, but be more frugal and careful of the public money, and lay it up against a time of need; since it is that that answers all things, is the sinew of war when that arises, and will procure men and arms, to secure and protect them from their enemies, and obtain peace and safety for them and their subjects, which otherwise they cannot expect.
Matthew Henry Commentary
To preserve a character for wisdom. (Eccl. 10:1-3) Respecting subject and rulers. (Eccl. 10:4-10) Of foolish talk. (Eccl. 10:11-15) Duties of rulers and subjects. (Eccl. 10:16-20)
Eccl. 10:1-3 Those especially who make a profession of religion, shoul keep from all appearances of evil. A wise man has great advantage ove a fool, who is always at a loss when he has anything to do. Sin is the reproach of sinners, wherever they go, and shows their folly.
Eccl. 10:4-10 Solomon appears to caution men not to seek redress in hasty manner, nor to yield to pride and revenge. Do not, in a passion quit thy post of duty; wait awhile, and thou wilt find that yieldin pacifies great offences. Men are not preferred according to their merit. And those are often most forward to offer help, who are leas aware of the difficulties, or the consequences. The same remark i applied to the church, or the body of Christ, that all the member should have the same care one for another.
Eccl. 10:11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly conside our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle word which we foolishly multiply. Fools toil a great deal to no purpose They do not understand the plainest things, such as the entrance into great city. But it is the excellency of the way to the heavenly city that it is a high-way, in which the simplest wayfaring men shall no err, Is. 25:8. But sinful folly makes men miss that only way to happiness.
Eccl. 10:16-20 The happiness of a land depends on the character of it rulers. The people cannot be happy when their princes are childish, an lovers of pleasure. Slothfulness is of ill consequence both to privat and public affairs. Money, of itself, will neither feed nor clothe though it answers the occasions of this present life, as what is to be had, may generally be had for money. But the soul, as it is no redeemed, so it is not maintained with corruptible things, as silve and gold. God sees what men do, and hears what they say in secret; and when he pleases, brings it to light by strange and unsuspected ways. I there be hazard in secret thoughts and whispers against earthly rulers what must be the peril from every deed, word, or thought of rebellio against the King of kings, and Lord of lords! He seeth in secret. Hi ear is ever open. Sinner! curse not THIS KING in thy inmost thought Your curses cannot affect Him; but his curse, coming down upon you will sink you to the lowest hell __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
לשׂחוק 7814 עשׂים 6213 לחם 3899 ויין 3196 ישׂמח 8055 חיים 2416 והכסף 3701 יענה 6030 את 853 הכל׃ 3605
