Under vs Over the Sun in Ecclesiastes
The phrase "under the sun" appears frequently in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes, serving as a key descriptor of the Preacher's perspective on life and human endeavor [5, 9]. This idiom, found twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes, consistently frames observations about earthly existence, often highlighting its futility or vanity [5].
The Hebrew phrase taḥat haššemeš (תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ), translated as "under the sun," signifies a viewpoint that is "earthbound" rather than reflecting a divine or transcendent perspective [5]. It delineates the sphere of human experience and observation, encompassing all that occurs within the confines of this world [9]. For instance, Ecclesiastes 4:7 states, "Considerans, reperi et aliam vanitatem sub sole" (I considered, and found another vanity under the sun) [1]. Similarly, Ecclesiastes 3:16 notes, "And moreouer I haue seene vnder the sunne the place of iudgement, where was wickednesse, and the place of iustice where was iniquitie" [2]. The King James Version also uses this phrase, as in Ecclesiastes 4:3: "Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun" [3].
Rabbinic tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary on Ecclesiastes 4:7, equates "under the sun" with "under the heavens," reinforcing its meaning as pertaining to the earthly realm [4]. This understanding is consistent across various interpretations, emphasizing that the Preacher's observations are limited to what can be perceived and experienced in this life [9].
The phrase "under the sun" is unique to Ecclesiastes within the biblical canon, underscoring its specific theological and philosophical function within the book [9]. It sets the stage for the Preacher's exploration of human toil, wisdom, pleasure, and wealth, all examined from a perspective that largely excludes direct divine intervention or eternal consequences [5]. The question posed in Ecclesiastes 1:3, "What advantage is there for man in all his toil that he toils under the sun?" encapsulates this earthly focus, questioning the ultimate benefit of human labor when viewed solely from a terrestrial standpoint [6, 9].
The Preacher's use of "under the sun" often precedes or accompanies declarations of "vanity" (hebel), indicating that many human pursuits, when confined to this earthly perspective, ultimately lack lasting meaning or satisfaction [7]. For example, Matthew Henry notes that even an active life, pursued "under the sun," ultimately yields no more satisfaction than contemplative or voluptuous lives, concluding that "still it is all vanity and vexation of spirit" [7].
John Gill, in his commentary on Ecclesiastes, frequently highlights the contrast implied by "under the sun." When discussing "evil which I have seen under the sun," he explicitly states that such evils are observed "on earth, under the sun; for there is nothing of the like kind... done in heaven, above the sun" [8]. He reiterates this distinction when discussing the "evil of covetousness," noting that "this is an evil under the sun, for there is nothing of this kind above it" [10]. This distinction between "under the sun" and "above the sun" or "in heaven" is crucial for understanding the Preacher's argument. It suggests that the vanity and futility described are characteristic of an existence detached from a higher, divine perspective.
The "under the sun" perspective is not necessarily a denial of God's existence, but rather an exploration of life's meaning when viewed from a purely human, temporal, and earthly vantage point [5]. The Preacher observes the injustices and imbalances of the world, such as "an error which proceedeth from the ruler," which he has "seen under the sun" [8]. These observations are grounded in the realities of human society and governance as they unfold in this world.
The consistent use of "under the sun" throughout Ecclesiastes serves to define the scope of the Preacher's inquiry. It limits his observations to the temporal, the visible, and the human-centric, allowing him to systematically evaluate various aspects of life—wisdom, folly, labor, wealth, pleasure, and justice—without immediate recourse to an eternal or divine framework [5, 9]. This method ultimately leads to the conclusion that without a transcendent perspective, much of human endeavor is indeed "vanity."
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Considerans, reperi et aliam vanitatem sub sole. -- Ecclesiastes 4:7”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:16 (Geneva1599) — And moreouer I haue seene vnder the sunne the place of iudgement, where was wickednesse, and the place of iustice where was iniquitie.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ecclesiastes 4:3 — Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Ecclesiastes 4:7: Under the sun. Is the same as, “under the heavens.””
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 1:3: 1:3 The Hebrew idiom under the sun is used twenty-nine times in Ecclesiastes. The NLT sometimes renders it with expressions such as “here on earth” (2:18) or “in this world” (2:20). It suggests a view of life that is earthbound rather than reflecting God’s perspective.”
- Midrash Rabbah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra Rabbah 28:1: “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come to the land that I am giving to you, and you reap its harvest, you shall bring a sheaf of the first of your harvest to the priest” (Leviticus 23:10). “Speak to the children of Israel…you shall bring a sheaf of the first of your harvest to the priest” – that is what is written: “What advantage is there for man in all his toil that he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3). Rabbi Binyamin ben Levi said: They sought to suppress the book of Ecclesiastes because they found in it matters that tend”
- Ecclesiastes (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:17: Business is a thing that wise men have pleasure in. They are in their element when they are in their business, and complain if they be out of business. They may sometimes be tired with their business, but they are not weary of it, nor willing to leave it off. Here therefore one would expect to have found the good that men should do, but Solomon tried this too; after a contemplative life and a voluptuous life, he betook himself to an active life, and found no more satisfaction in it than in the other; still it is all vanity and vexation of spirit, of which he”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 10:5: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,.... Which Solomon had observed in the course of his life, practised in some kingdoms and by some princes on earth, under the sun; for there is nothing of the like kind, as after mentioned, done in heaven, above the sun; as an error which proceedeth from the ruler; from the supreme ruler of a nation, the king of it; and it is not only as an error, or like one, a seeming one; but it is a real error, bestowing places of honour and profit on undeserving persons: which error proceeds from ignorance of the persons; o”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 1:3: What profit . . . labour--that is, "What profit" as to the chief good (Mat 16:26). Labor is profitable in its proper place (Gen 2:15; Gen 3:19; Pro 14:23). under the sun--that is, in this life, as opposed to the future world. The phrase often recurs, but only in Ecclesiastes.”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 6:1: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun,.... The Vulgate Latin version reads it, another evil; but wrongly, for the same is considered as before, the evil of covetousness; which is one of the evil things that come out of the heart of man; is abominable to the Lord, contrary to his nature and will, and a breach of his law, which forbids it, and is the root of all evil; this is an evil under the sun, for there is nothing of this kind above it; and it fell under the observation of Solomon in various instances; and it is common among men; or, "great over m”