OET interlinear ECC 4:1

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

וְ⁠שַׁ֣בְתִּֽי אֲנִ֗י

and,I_returned I

The pronoun I refers to Solomon, the Teacher. Here it is stated separately from the verb for emphasis. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [And I, the Teacher, turned]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

אֶת כָּל הָ֣⁠עֲשֻׁקִ֔ים

DOM all/each/any/every the,oppression(s)

Solomon says all the oppressions as an extreme statement for emphasis. He means very many oppressions, not necessarily every single one. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [very many oppressions]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

הָ֣⁠עֲשֻׁקִ֔ים

the,oppression(s)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of oppressions, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [all the ways that people were being oppressed]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

נַעֲשִׂ֖ים

done

The expression were being done is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [people were doing]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

תַּ֣חַת הַ⁠שָּׁ֑מֶשׁ

below/instead_of the,sun

Solomon is using under the sun as a common expression of the culture to mean “in this world” or “during this life.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in this world]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠הִנֵּ֣ה

and=see/lo/see!

Solomon is speaking as if what he is about to describe could be seen, using the word look to draw attention to it. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And consider this]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

דִּמְעַ֣ת הָ⁠עֲשֻׁקִ֗ים

tears_of of,the_oppressed

Here, the tears of the oppressed represents their grief and suffering. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the grief and suffering of the oppressed]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

הָ֣⁠עֲשֻׁקִ֔ים

the,oppression(s)

Solomon is using the adjective oppressed as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [the oppressed people]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

כֹּ֔חַ

ability

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of strength, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [they had the upper hand]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

וְ⁠אֵ֤ין לָ⁠הֶם֙ מְנַחֵ֔ם & וְ⁠אֵ֤ין לָ⁠הֶם֙ מְנַחֵ֔ם

and,there_[was]_not to/for=them comfort & (Some words not found in UHB: and,I_returned I and,I_saw DOM all/each/any/every the,oppression(s) which/who done below/instead_of the,sun and=see/lo/see! tears_of of,the_oppressed and,there_[was]_not to/for=them comfort and_[was],from,the_hand_of of,their_oppressors ability and,there_[was]_not to/for=them comfort )

These two clauses mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with different words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: [and there was no comforter for them … and there was absolutely no comforter for them]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וּ⁠מִ⁠יַּ֤ד עֹֽשְׁקֵי⁠הֶם֙

and_[was],from,the_hand_of of,their_oppressors

Here, the hand represents the power or control of the ones oppressing them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [From the power of those who oppressed them]