Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 8:16

16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom , and to see the business that is done upon the Earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes .)

This he seems to add as the reason of that judgment which he had now passed, v. 15. because he had diligently studied wherein Man's Wisdom did consist, and had observed the restlessness of mens minds and bodies in other courses.

Either 1. To find out the work of God, as the next Verse may seem to explain it, and all the Mysteries of God's Providence in the Government of this present and lower World. Or 2. To observe mens various designs and employments, and their toilsom and unwearied businesses or labours about worldly things. Which sense seems best to agree, both with the use of this Hebrew word which is constantly used in this sense, in all the places of Scripture where it is, which are Eccles. 1. 13. & 2. 23, 26. & 3. 10. & 4. 8. & 5. 2, 13. & 8. 16. and never concerning the works of God: and with the foregoing and following words, as we shall see.

The sense of the words thus translated and pointed seems to be this, There is a certain Man, whom it is needless to Name, (which is a modest designation of himself, like that of St. Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 2. I know a Man in Christ, &c.) who studied those matters Day and Night, and therefore is very capable of passing a judgment about them. But, with submission, there seems to be no need of a Parenthesis to cut o[illegible: 1+ letters] these words from the former, with whom they have a fit connexion. For having now mentioned the business which is done, or which Man doth, upon Earth, he further adds, as an evidence of Man's eagerness in pursuing his business, for even by Day and by Night [illegible: 1+ letters]e) to wit, the busie Man, which is easily understood from the foregoing clause) seeth not sleep with his eyes, i. e. He grudgeth himself even necessary refreshments, and disquiets himself with endless cares and labours, the fruit whereof he doth but little enjoy; and therefore it is better to eat and drink, &c. as I now said, v. 15. As for the Phrase of seeing sleep it is a figurative expression used in other Authors, and is like that of seeing death, Psal. 89. 48.