, all which words have nearly the same meaning. The Syriac also gives here, from Theodotion, what is possibly a rendering of this place, but may be intended for παρεωραμένῳ, in verse 14,
, i.e. ἀόρατοι, ‘unseen things.’ The Peshito rendering, perhaps, may give us the clue——these ‘collections’ or ‘collectanea’ are the instances of human life adduced by Koheleth, and it is men [like a herd of oxen driven by goads, and confined by stakes] over which these wise words are masters; and this we think will make all clear. The meaning of the passage will be: ‘These words of wise men are like goads, by which the ox is incited to labour, but then they are like stakes [i.e. to which the ox may be tied, or, of which a fence might be made to confine him] as well, planted around the persons brought together, [or the herd, and so infixed as masters of the assembly]; they are given from the shepherd [or herdsman’——for the word has both senses]——‘who is the only one;’ or, since מֵרֶֹעֶה is ambiguous, and pointed מִרְעֶה means ‘pasture,’ they give pasture only. Thus the metaphor is kept up and the equivoke maintained).
[♦] referencing the “※” symbol
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much [¹]study is a weariness of the flesh.
[¹] Or, reading.
But as to anything else from these, my son, be warned: making of many treatises would lead to no result, and much study would but weary the body.