Ecc 8:8 | JFB | STEP | 8. spirit-- "breath of life" ( ), as the words following require. Not "wind," as Weiss thinks ( ). This verse naturally follows the subject of "times" and "judgment" ( , ). discharge-- alluding to the liability to military service of all above twenty years old ( ), yet many were exempted ( ). But in that war (death) there is no exemption. those ... given to-- literally, the master of it. Wickedness can get money for the sinner, but cannot deliver him from the death, temporal and eternal, which is its penalty ( , ).

‏ Ecclesiastes 8:8

8. spirit--"breath of life" (Ec 3:19), as the words following require. Not "wind," as Weiss thinks (Pr 30:4). This verse naturally follows the subject of "times" and "judgment" (Ec 8:6, 7).

discharge--alluding to the liability to military service of all above twenty years old (Nu 1:3), yet many were exempted (De 20:5-8). But in that war (death) there is no exemption.

those ... given to--literally, the master of it. Wickedness can get money for the sinner, but cannot deliver him from the death, temporal and eternal, which is its penalty (Is 28:15, 18).