29 Lo, this only have I │ Only observe, this I have found, that God hath made man │ discovered, namely, that the upright; but they have sought │ Almighty has with respect to out many inventions. │ humanity done what is correct, │ but _they_ have sought out │ machinations without number. (29.) =Only= (which standing first is emphatic: ‘This _alone_ is a real discovery, or a safe induction from my numerous trials’) =observe, this have I discovered, which= is that he has =made= even =the Deity with respect to the man= (_i.e._ ‘has done in regard to man,’ the LXX. notice this by σὺν τὸν ἄνθρωπον) =right= (or ‘correct,’ see 1 Samuel vi. 12, Proverbs xi. 3), =but they= (plural following singular――‘every one of them’) =seek devices= (plural abstract, and as it is used evidently in a sinister sense, we may translate ‘machinations’) =many= (masculine, notwithstanding the feminine plural, _i.e._ not many in the abstract, ‘but many a one’――all kinds of sinister plans to evade God’s right order, of which Solomon’s harem was a signal instance. He would have had more real enjoyment had he obeyed the rule at Genesis ii. 24, which assigns one man to one woman, and the spirit of that at Leviticus xxi. 1, which enjoins a Hebrew woman. This harem of strange women was at once Solomon’s most elaborate folly, bitterest disappointment, and saddest fall: it was an experiment in search of happiness, running counter to God’s just and right commands, and proved a most miserable failure; and the only conclusion which could be drawn from it was, that God’s way is invariably the best. The connexion with the following will be best understood if we consider it a reflection on his own failure). CHAPTER VIII. WHO _is_ as the wise _man_? │ AH, then, who is really wise, and who knoweth the │ and who knows how to solve the interpretation of a thing? a │ enigma of this matter? that man’s wisdom maketh his face │ wisdom of humanity which to shine, and ¹the boldness of │ enlightens his face, for the his face shall be changed. │ haughty face is detestable. │ ¹ _Hebrew_ the strength. │