Teks -- Ecclesiastes 2:2 (NET)

2:2 I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Ecc 2:2 - It is mad

This is an act of madness, more fit for fools who know nothing, than for wise men in this sinful, and dangerous, and deplorable state of mankind.

Wesley: Ecc 2:2 - What doth it

What good doth it? Or how can it make men happy? I challenge all the Epicures in the world to give me a solid answer.

JFB: Ecc 2:2 - laughter

Including prosperity, and joy in general (Job 8:21).

JFB: Ecc 2:2 - mad

That is, when made the chief good; it is harmless in its proper place.

JFB: Ecc 2:2 - What doeth it?

Of what avail is it in giving solid good? (Ecc 7:6; Pro 14:13).

Clarke: Ecc 2:2 - I said of laughter, It is mad

I said of laughter, It is mad - Literally "To laughter I said, O mad one! and to mirth, What is this one doing?

Solomon does not speak here of a sober enjoyment of the things of this world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia as two persons; and the contemptuous manner wherewith he treats them has something remarkably striking. He tells the former to her face that she is mad; but as to the latter, he thinks her so much beneath his notice, that he only points at her, and instantly turns his back.

TSK: Ecc 2:2 - I said // It is

I said : Solomon is not speaking here of sober enjoyment of the things of the world, but of intemperate pleasure, whose two attendants, laughter and mirth, are introduced by a beautiful prosopopoeia, as two persons, whom he treats with the utmost contempt.

It is : Ecc 7:2-6; Pro 14:13; Isa 22:12, Isa 22:13; Amo 6:3-6; 1Pe 4:2-4

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Ecc 2:2 - I said of laughter // It is mad // What doeth it?

I said of laughter of excessive mirth, which discovers itself by immoderate laughter, and other outward gestures.

It is mad this is an act and sign of madness, more fit for fools, who know nothing, than for wise men, at least in this sin fill, and dangerous, and deplorable state of mankind, which calls for seriousness and sorrow from all considerate persons, in which case it is like the laughter of one in a frenzy; and none but a fool or madman can take satisfaction in such light and frothy pleasures, or expect happiness from them.

What doeth it? What good doeth it? or how can it make men happy? I challenge all the epicures in the world to give me a solid and satisfactory answer.

Haydock: Ecc 2:2 - Why

Why. Hebrew, "What doth that?" Septuagint, "Why dost thou so?" Immoderate laughter is a sign of folly, Ecclesiasticus xxi. 23. (Calmet) ---

"Even spiritual joy is a temptation." (St. Jerome)

Gill: Ecc 2:2 - I said of laughter, it is mad // and of mirth, what doth it

I said of laughter, it is mad,.... The risible faculty in man is given him for some usefulness; and when used in a moderate way, and kept within due bounds, is of service to him, and conduces to the health of his body, and the pleasure of his mind; but when used on every trivial occasion, and at every foolish thing that is said or done, and indulged to excess, it is mere madness, and makes a man look more like a madman and a fool than a wise man; it lasts but for a while, and the end of it is heaviness, Ecc 7:6. Or, "I said to laughter, thou art mad" ^x; and therefore will have nothing to do with thee in the excessive and criminal way, but shun thee, as one would do a mad man: this therefore is not to be reckoned into the pleasure he bid his soul go to and enjoy;

and of mirth, what doth it? what good does do? of what profit and advantage is it to man? If the question is concerning innocent mirth, the answer may be given out of Pro 15:13; but if of carnal sinful mirth, there is no good arises from that to the body or mind; or any kind of happiness to be enjoyed that way, and therefore no trial is to be made of it. What the wise man proposed to make trial of, and did, follows in the next verses.