SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:1
¶ ¿Quin como el sabio? ¿Y quin como el que sabe la interpretacin de las cosas? La sabiduría de ste hombre har relucir su rostro, y la tosquedad de su semblante se mudar.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 8:1
Verse 1. Who knoweth the interpretation - rp pesher, a pure Chaldee word, found nowhere else in the Bible but in the Chaldee parts of Daniel. "A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine." Every state of the heart shines through the countenance; but there is such an evidence of the contented, happy, pure, benevolent state of the soul in the face of a truly pious man, that it must be observed, and cannot be mistaken. In the Hebrew the former clause of this verse ends the preceding chapter. Who has ever been deceived in the appearance of the face that belonged to a savage heart? Those who represent, by painting or otherwise, a wise man, with a gravely sour face, striking awe and forbidding approach, have either mistaken the man, or are unacquainted with some essential principles of their art.
The boldness of his face shall be changed. - Instead of any yeshunne, which signifies shall be hated, many of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS.
have hny yeshunneh, shall be changed or doubled. Hence the verse might be read, "The wisdom of a man shall illuminate his face; and the strength of his countenance shall be doubled." He shall speak with full confidence and conviction on a subject which he perfectly understands, and all will feel the weight of his observations.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Who is as the wise [man] ? etc.] Who is as the first man, that was made upright, and was a wise man? not one of his sons. Or who is as the wise man, meaning himself? no man; he was the wisest of men; and yet he could not find out wisdom, and the reason of things, and the wickedness of folly, ( Ecclesiastes 7:25-29); how therefore should any other man? what can the man do that comes after the king? Or who is like to a wise man, to he compared to him for honour and dignity? none; not those of the highest birth and blood, of the greatest wealth and riches, or in the highest places of power and authority; a wise man is above them, they being without wisdom; and especially such as are wise to salvation; these are the excellent in the earth, and the most worthy among men. Or who is a truly wise man? is there really such a person in the world, that has got to the perfection of wisdom? not one; and very few they are that can, in a true and proper sense, be called wise men. The Targum is, who is a wise man, that can stand against the wisdom of the Lord? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing ? or a word f187 ? the word of God, which is not of private interpretation? none know it rightly, but such who have the Spirit of God, the enditer of the word: Christ is the interpreter, one among a thousand; and, next to him are those who have his mind, and rightly divide the word of truth. The Targum is, and to know the interpretation of the words in the prophets: this may be understood of the solution of any difficulties in things natural or civil; and of the interpretation of any of the works of God, either in nature or providence, as well as of his word; and he is a wise man, that not only has wisdom in himself, but is able to teach others, and make them wise; can solve doubts, remove difficulties, interpret nature, the works and word of God. Aben Ezra repeats the note of similitude from the former clause, and so it may be rendered, Who is as he that knows the interpretation of a thing, or word? such an one as Solomon was, ( Proverbs 1:6); a mans wisdom maketh his face to shine : as Moses, when he came down from the mount, full fraught with the knowledge of the will of God, ( Exodus 34:29,30); and as Stephen, whose wisdom and spirit, by which he spoke, were irresistible, ( Acts 6:10,15); wisdom, which discovers itself in a mans words and actions, gives comeliness to his person, makes him look amiable and lovely in the eyes of others: or, it enlightens his face f188 ; by it he is able to see the difference between truth and falsehood, and what is to be done and not done; what way he should walk in, and what he should shun and avoid; and the boldness of his face shall be changed ; the ferocity and austerity of his countenance, the impudence and inhumanity that appeared in him before, through his wisdom and knowledge, are changed into meekness, gentleness, and humanity; of an impudent, fierce, and badly behaved man, he becomes meek, modest, affable, and humane; this effect natural wisdom and knowledge has on men f189 ; and much more spiritual and evangelical wisdom, which comes from above, and is first pure, then peaceable and gentle, ( James 3:17). Some read it, the strength of his face shall be doubled, or renewed f190 ; he shall be changed into the same image, from glory to glory; his spiritual strength shall be renewed, and his light and knowledge increase yet more and more, ( 2 Corinthians 3:18 Isaiah 40:31 Ecclesiastes 7:19 Proverbs 4:18). But Gussetius renders it, his boldness, or impudence, shall be hated.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Commendations of wisdom. (Eccl. 8:1-5) To prepare for sudden evils an death. (Eccl. 8:6-8) It shall be well with the righteous, and ill with the wicked. (Eccl. 8:9-13) Mysteries of Providence. (Eccl. 8:14-17)
Eccl. 8:1-5 None of the rich, the powerful, the honourable, or the accomplished of the sons of men, are so excellent, useful, or happy, a the wise man. Who else can interpret the words of God, or teach arigh from his truths and dispensations? What madness must it be for weak an dependent creatures to rebel against the Almighty! What numbers for wrong judgments, and bring misery on themselves, in this life and tha to come!
Eccl. 8:6-8 God has, in wisdom, kept away from us the knowledge of future events, that we may be always ready for changes. We must all die, no flight or hiding-place can save us, nor are there any weapon of effectual resistance. Ninety thousand die every day, upwards of sixty every minute, and one every moment. How solemn the thought! O that men were wise, that they understood these things, that they woul consider their latter end! The believer alone is prepared to meet the solemn summons. Wickedness, by which men often escape human justice cannot secure from death.
Eccl. 8:9-13 Solomon observed, that many a time one man rules ove another to his hurt, and that prosperity hardens them in their wickedness. Sinners herein deceive themselves. Vengeance comes slowly but it comes surely. A good man's days have some substance; he lives to a good purpose: a wicked man's days are all as a shadow, empty an worthless. Let us pray that we may view eternal things as near, real and all-important.
Eccl. 8:14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomo commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence i God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good ma has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have u try to give a reason for what God does. But, leaving the Lord to clea up all difficulties in his own time, we may cheerfully enjoy the comforts, and bear up under the trials of life; while peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost will abide in us through all outward changes, and when flesh and heart shall fail __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
מי 4310 כהחכם 2450 ומי 4310 יודע 3045 פשׁר 6592 דבר 1697 חכמת 2451 אדם 120 תאיר 215 פניו 6440 ועז 5797 פניו 6440 ישׁנא׃ 8132
