--- title: Ecclesiastes 8:15 — So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun,… · Hebrew, tree and pragmatics description: So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun. Who acts: I, man, this, God. Ecclesiastes 8:15 in Hebrew with its depende --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC.8.15/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [Tanakh](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tanakh/) / [Ketuvim](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/) / [Ecclesiastes](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC/) / [chapter 8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC/8/) / 8:15 # Ecclesiastes 8:15 קֹהֶלֶת **Who acts:** I, man, this, God · **What happens:** commend, have, eat, drink, be, accompany · **To what, where:** mirth, better thing, sun, man, labour, days This is Ecclesiastes 8:15 from Mova's open Bible corpus, the Tanakh in three languages (Ketuvim — the Writings). The page gives the verse in Hebrew as the Westminster Leningrad Codex has it, its syntax tree — a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, built from MACULA Hebrew — and its pragmatics: who acts — I, man, this, God — and what happens in the verse to mirth, better thing, sun, man, labour, days, read clause by clause by Mova's frames. Beside it stand the Aramaic of the Targum and the English of the Jewish Publication Society's 1917 translation, each English sentence with a tree of its own. It is one of the 12 chapters of Ecclesiastes on this site, all built by Mova itself from its own trees, with no large model in between. וְשִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי אֲנִי֙ אֶת־הַשִּׂמְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽין־ט֤וֹב לָֽאָדָם֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ כִּ֛י אִם־לֶאֱכ֥וֹל וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת וְלִשְׂמ֑וֹחַ וְה֞וּא יִלְוֶ֣נּוּ בַעֲמָל֗וֹ יְמֵ֥י חַיָּ֛יו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־ל֥וֹ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ [So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/ECC.167/) ## The tree {#tree} Right to left, as the Hebrew is read; a prefix or suffix is a word of its own, and a line under the words joins those written as one. Under each word its part of speech and MACULA's English gloss. ```conllu rtl gloss # sent_id = wlc:ECC:157 # text = וְשִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי אֲנִי֙ אֶת־הַשִּׂמְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽין־ט֤וֹב לָֽאָדָם֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ כִּ֛י אִם־לֶאֱכ֥וֹל וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת וְלִשְׂמ֑וֹחַ וְה֞וּא יִלְוֶ֣נּוּ בַעֲמָל֗וֹ יְמֵ֥י חַיָּ֛יו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־ל֥וֹ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ # verse = ECC.8.15 1-2 וְשִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 וְ וְ CCONJ _ _ 2 cc _ Gloss=and|Ref=ECC_8:15!1|MId=o210080150011|Strong=2050b 2 שִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי שָׁבַח VERB _ Gender=Com|HebBinyan=PIEL|Number=Sing|Person=1 0 root _ Gloss=I.commend|Ref=ECC_8:15!1|MId=o210080150012|Strong=7623|Frame=A0:210080150021;A1:210080150042;|Type=qatal 3 אֲנִי֙ אֲנִי PRON _ Gender=Com|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs 2 nsubj _ Gloss=I|Ref=ECC_8:15!2|MId=o210080150021|Strong=0589|Type=personal 4 אֶת־ אֵת ADP _ _ 6 case _ Gloss=(et)|Ref=ECC_8:15!3|MId=o210080150031|Strong=0853|Type=direct_object_marker|SpaceAfter=No 5-6 הַשִּׂמְחָ֔ה _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 הַ הַ DET _ PronType=Art 6 det _ Gloss=(the)|Ref=ECC_8:15!4|MId=o210080150041|Strong=1886a|Type=definite_article 6 שִּׂמְחָ֔ה שִׂמְחָה NOUN _ Gender=Fem|Number=Sing 2 obj _ Gloss=pleasure|Ref=ECC_8:15!4|MId=o210080150042|Strong=8057 7 אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲשֶׁר SCONJ _ _ 8 mark _ Gloss=that|Ref=ECC_8:15!5|MId=o210080150051|Strong=0834|Type=relative 8 אֵֽין־ אַיִן ADV _ _ 2 parataxis _ Gloss=there.[is].not|Ref=ECC_8:15!6|MId=o210080150061|Strong=0369|Type=negative|SpaceAfter=No 9 ט֤וֹב טוֹב ADJ _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing 8 nsubj _ Gloss=good|Ref=ECC_8:15!7|MId=o210080150071|Strong=2896|Type=adjective 10-12 לָֽאָדָם֙ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 לָֽ לְ ADP _ _ 12 case _ Gloss=for|Ref=ECC_8:15!8|MId=o210080150081|Strong=3807a 11 ה הַ DET _ PronType=Art 12 det _ Gloss=(the)|Ref=ECC_8:15!8|MId=o210080150081ה|Strong=1886a|Type=definite_article 12 אָדָם֙ אָדָם NOUN _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing 8 obl _ Gloss=humankind|Ref=ECC_8:15!8|MId=o210080150082|Strong=0120 13 תַּ֣חַת תַּחַת NOUN _ _ 8 obl _ Gloss=under|Ref=ECC_8:15!9|MId=o210080150091|Strong=8478 14-15 הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 14 הַ הַ DET _ PronType=Art 15 det _ Gloss=the|Ref=ECC_8:15!10|MId=o210080150101|Strong=1886a|Type=definite_article 15 שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ שֶׁמֶשׁ NOUN _ Number=Sing 13 compound:smixut _ Gloss=sun|Ref=ECC_8:15!10|MId=o210080150102|Strong=8121 16 כִּ֛י כִּי SCONJ _ ExtPos=SCONJ 19 mark _ Gloss=(dm)|Ref=ECC_8:15!11|MId=o210080150111|Strong=3588 17 אִם־ אִם SCONJ _ _ 16 fixed _ Gloss=(if)|Ref=ECC_8:15!12|MId=o210080150121|Strong=0518|SpaceAfter=No 18-19 לֶאֱכ֥וֹל _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 18 לֶ לְ ADP _ _ 19 case _ Gloss=to|Ref=ECC_8:15!13|MId=o210080150131|Strong=3807a 19 אֱכ֥וֹל אָכַל VERB _ HebBinyan=QAL 8 parataxis _ Gloss=eat|Ref=ECC_8:15!13|MId=o210080150132|Strong=0398|Frame=A0:210080150083;|Type=infinitive_construct 20-22 וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 וְ וְ CCONJ _ _ 22 cc _ Gloss=and|Ref=ECC_8:15!14|MId=o210080150141|Strong=2050b 21 לִ לְ ADP _ _ 22 case _ Gloss=to|Ref=ECC_8:15!14|MId=o210080150142|Strong=3807a 22 שְׁתּ֖וֹת שָׁתָה VERB _ HebBinyan=QAL 19 conj _ Gloss=drink|Ref=ECC_8:15!14|MId=o210080150143|Strong=8354|Frame=A0:210080150083;|Type=infinitive_construct 23-25 וְלִשְׂמ֑וֹחַ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 23 וְ וְ CCONJ _ _ 25 cc _ Gloss=and|Ref=ECC_8:15!15|MId=o210080150151|Strong=2050b 24 לִ לְ ADP _ _ 25 case _ Gloss=to|Ref=ECC_8:15!15|MId=o210080150152|Strong=3807a 25 שְׂמ֑וֹחַ שָׂמַח VERB _ HebBinyan=QAL 19 conj _ Gloss=rejoice|Ref=ECC_8:15!15|MId=o210080150153|Strong=8055|Frame=A0:210080150083;|Type=infinitive_construct 26-27 וְה֞וּא _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 26 וְ וְ CCONJ _ _ 28 cc _ Gloss=and|Ref=ECC_8:15!16|MId=o210080150161|Strong=2050b 27 ה֞וּא הוּא PRON _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 28 nsubj _ Gloss=it|Ref=ECC_8:15!16|MId=o210080150162|Strong=1931|Type=personal 28-29 יִלְוֶ֣נּוּ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 28 יִלְו לָוָה VERB _ Gender=Masc|HebBinyan=QAL|Number=Sing|Person=3 2 conj _ Gloss=it|Ref=ECC_8:15!17|MId=o210080150171|Strong=3867|Frame=A0:210080150162;A1:210080150172;|Type=yiqtol 29 ֶ֣נּוּ הוּא PRON _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 28 obj _ Gloss=will.join.him|Ref=ECC_8:15!17|MId=o210080150172|Strong=5105b|Type=pronominal 30-32 בַעֲמָל֗וֹ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 30 בַ בְּ ADP _ _ 31 case _ Gloss=in|Ref=ECC_8:15!18|MId=o210080150181|Strong=0871a 31 עֲמָל עָמָל NOUN _ Number=Sing 28 obl _ Gloss=toil|Ref=ECC_8:15!18|MId=o210080150182|Strong=5999 32 ֗וֹ הוּא PRON _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 31 nmod:poss _ Gloss=his|Ref=ECC_8:15!18|MId=o210080150183|Strong=2050c|Type=pronominal 33 יְמֵ֥י יוֹם NOUN _ Gender=Masc|Number=Plur 28 obl _ Gloss=the.days|Ref=ECC_8:15!19|MId=o210080150191|Strong=3117 34-35 חַיָּ֛יו _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 34 חַיָּ֛י חַיִּים NOUN _ Gender=Masc|Number=Plur 33 compound:smixut _ Gloss=his.life|Ref=ECC_8:15!20|MId=o210080150201|Strong=2416 35 ו הוּא PRON _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 34 nmod:poss _ Gloss=his|Ref=ECC_8:15!20|MId=o210080150202|Strong=2050c|Type=pronominal 36 אֲשֶׁר־ אֲשֶׁר SCONJ _ _ 37 mark _ Gloss=which|Ref=ECC_8:15!21|MId=o210080150211|Strong=0834|Type=relative|SpaceAfter=No 37 נָֽתַן־ נָתַן VERB _ Gender=Masc|HebBinyan=QAL|Number=Sing|Person=3 33 acl:relcl _ Gloss=he.has.given|Ref=ECC_8:15!22|MId=o210080150221|Strong=5414|Frame=A0:210080150242;A1:210080150191;|Type=qatal|SpaceAfter=No 38-39 ל֥וֹ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 38 ל לְ ADP _ _ 39 case _ Gloss=to|Ref=ECC_8:15!23|MId=o210080150231|Strong=3807a 39 ֥וֹ הוּא PRON _ Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs 37 obl _ Gloss=him|Ref=ECC_8:15!23|MId=o210080150232|Strong=2050c|Type=pronominal 40-41 הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 40 הָ הַ DET _ PronType=Art 41 det _ Gloss=(the)|Ref=ECC_8:15!24|MId=o210080150241|Strong=1886a|Type=definite_article 41 אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֱלֹהִים NOUN _ Gender=Masc|Number=Plur 37 nsubj _ Gloss=God|Ref=ECC_8:15!24|MId=o210080150242|Strong=0430 42 תַּ֥חַת תַּחַת NOUN _ _ 37 obl _ Gloss=under|Ref=ECC_8:15!25|MId=o210080150251|Strong=8478 43-44 הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 43 הַ הַ DET _ PronType=Art 44 det _ Gloss=the|Ref=ECC_8:15!26|MId=o210080150261|Strong=1886a|Type=definite_article 44 שָּֽׁמֶשׁ שֶׁמֶשׁ NOUN _ Number=Sing 42 compound:smixut _ Gloss=sun|Ref=ECC_8:15!26|MId=o210080150262|Strong=8121 45 ׃ ׃ PUNCT _ _ 44 punct _ Ref=ECC_8:15!26 ``` ## Pragmatics {#pragmatics} - form: statement - act: assert - voice: character - speech: inside a quote begun earlier - negation: yes | verb | form · stem | who (A0) | what, whom (A1) | to whom, further (A2) | who makes it happen (AA) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **not** שִׁבַּחְתִּֽי *I commend* | qatal · piel | אֲנִי *I* | שִּׂמְחָה *pleasure* | | | | אֱכוֹל *eat* | infinitive construct · qal | | | | | | שְׁתּוֹת *drink* | infinitive construct · qal | | | | | | שְׂמוֹחַ *rejoice* | infinitive construct · qal | | | | | | יִלְו *it* | yiqtol · qal | הוּא *it* | ֶנּוּ *will join him* | | | | נָֽתַן־ *he has given* | qatal · qal | אֱלֹהִים *God* | יְמֵי *the days* | | | MACULA's semantic frames: for each verb the head word of each participant. A0 is the one who acts, A1 what the act is done to or is about, A2 a further participant; AA, with a causative verb, the one who makes it happen. ## The Targum {#onkelos} וְשַׁבָּחִית אֲנָא יָת חֶדְוַת אוֹרָיְתָא אֲרוּם לֵית טַב לֶאֱנָשׁ בְּעַלְמָא הָדֵין תְּחוֹת שִׁמְשָׁא אֲרוּם אֱלָהֵין לְמֵיכַל וּלְמִשְׁתֵּי וּלְמֶחֱדֵּי בְּטוֹרְחֵיהּ וּבְחוּלְקֵיהּ דְאִתְיְהִיב לֵיהּ מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְלָא יוֹשִׁיט יְדֵיהּ בַחֲטוּפִין וְאֲנִיסָא וְהוּא יַלְוִינֵיה לִשְׁלָם לְעַלְמָא הַהוּא וִיקַבֵּיל אֲגַר שְׁלִים עַל טוֹרְחֵיהּ דִי טָרַח בִּשְׁלָמוּתָא כָּל יוֹמֵי חַיּוֹהִי דִּיהַב לֵיהּ יְיָ בְּעַלְמָא הָדֵין תְּחוֹת שִׁמְשָׁא: The Aramaic translation read beside the Hebrew. Text only: Mova has no Aramaic parser yet. ## English, JPS 1917 {#english} Each sentence on its own page, with its tree and pragmatics. A sentence that runs on into the next verse is listed under the verse it begins in. 1. [So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/jps/ECC.167/) **Hebrew text:** Westminster Leningrad Codex, public domain. **Tree, glosses and frames:** MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets, available at [github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-hebrew](https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-hebrew/), [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/); converted to Universal Dependencies by Mova (words in text order, a prefix its own word). **Speech act:** Mova's rules on the MACULA words (`macula prag`). **Targum:** Onkelos (Torat Emet), Jonathan and the Writings (Mikraot Gedolot), from Sefaria, public domain. **English:** JPS 1917, public domain; trees and speech acts by Mova's cycle, frames by Mova's reader (Elamur Cosmic License). Hebrew sentence `wlc:ECC:157`. - ← previous: [Ecclesiastes 8:14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC.8.14/) - next →: [Ecclesiastes 8:16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC.8.16/) - ↑ back to [Ecclesiastes 8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/ketuvim/ECC/8/)