Ecclesiastes 6:1-9

Listen to Ecclesiastes 6:1-9

The Futility of Life

1 There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:
2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
3 A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4 For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.
5 The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,
6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
7 All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. [a]
8 What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?
9 Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the 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.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Footnotes 1

  • [a] Hebrew filled
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially placed into the public domain