Brethren; his nearest and dearest relations, who are oft called brethren in Scripture, by a common synecdoche. Hate him, i.e. despise and shun him, as men do any thing which they hate, and as the following words explain it. His friends; his former companions, who in his prosperity professed friendship to him. He pursueth them with words, earnestly imploring their pity; or, he urgeth (Heb. pursueth) their words, i.e. allegeth their former promises and professions of friendship. Or, without any supplement, he seeketh words, as the preacher sought to find out acceptable words, Ecclesiastes 12:10, wherewith he might prevail or move them to pity. They are wanting to him, Heb. they are not; either,
1. His friends are not, to wit, what they pretended to be, friends to him. Or,
2. Their words are vain, and without effect; there is no reality in them.