Ecclesiastes 6:1-9

1 1There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind:
2 a man 2to whom 3God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he 4lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God 5does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.
3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that 6the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's 7good things, and he also has no 8burial, I say that 9a stillborn child is better off than he.
4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered.
5 Moreover, it has not 10seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds 11rest rather than he.
6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy[a] no good--do not all go to the one place?
7 12All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.[b]
8 For what advantage has the wise man 13over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?
9 Better 14is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is 15vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ECCLESIASTES 6

The wise man goes on to expose the vanity of riches, as possessed by a covetous man, who makes no use of them; an evil, and a common one under the sun, Ec 6:1; Who is described by the good things he has; which he has not a power to enjoy, but a stranger enjoys them, Ec 6:2; by his numerous offspring and long life; yet neither is he satisfied with good in life, nor has he a burial at death; wherefore an abortive is preferred unto him, Ec 6:3; For though many things may be said of that which are disagreeable, yet worse of him, and that has more rest than he; and besides, they both go to one place, the grave, Ec 6:4-6; and the vanity of an anxious labour for riches is further argued from the use of them, at most and best, which is only for the body, and the sustenance of it, but cannot satisfy the mind or soul, Ec 6:7; and this use a fool can make of, them, as well as a wise man; and a poor man, that is knowing, diligent, and industrious to live, as well as the rich, Ec 6:8. Wherefore it is best to enjoy and be content with present mercies, than to let loose the wandering desires after what may never be had, Ec 6:9; and especially it should be considered, that let a man be in what circumstances he will, he is but a man; and these circumstances are determined and appointed by God, which he cannot alter; and therefore it is both vain and sinful to contend with him, Ec 6:10. And, after all, a man is never the better for his carking cares and wandering desires, since there are so many things that increase vanity, Ec 6:11; and a man is so ignorant of what is good for him for the present, and of what shall be after him, Ec 6:12.

Cross References 15

  • 1. Ecclesiastes 5:13
  • 2. Ecclesiastes 5:19
  • 3. [1 Kings 3:13]
  • 4. Psalms 17:14; Psalms 73:7; See Job 21:7-13
  • 5. [Ecclesiastes 5:19; Luke 12:20]
  • 6. Genesis 47:8, 9
  • 7. [ver. 6]
  • 8. Isaiah 14:20; Jeremiah 8:2; Jeremiah 22:19; [2 Kings 9:35]
  • 9. Ecclesiastes 4:3; Job 3:16
  • 10. Ecclesiastes 7:11; Ecclesiastes 11:7
  • 11. Ecclesiastes 4:6
  • 12. [Proverbs 16:26]
  • 13. [Ecclesiastes 2:15]
  • 14. Ecclesiastes 11:9
  • 15. See Ecclesiastes 1:14

Footnotes 2

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.