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Ecclesiastes 6:6 | Word Study

Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? Ecclesiastes 6:6 (KJV)

There is no objective advantage of ‘being alive;’ that is to say, just because you are alive it does not mean you are at a better off position. Qoheleth’s intended meaning is straightforward. “The meaning of the sentence is clear: if one does not enjoy good when one is able, then there is no difference between the living and the dead.” (Seow, 213) The two thousand years that the natural man has over the stillborn adds to no advantage if God does not allow him to enjoy it. “Such a life could last two thousand years and still be futile, if the person never learns to ‘see the good…’ Moreover, it will in any case end in death.” (Provan, 148)

References:

Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs: The New Application Commentary, Zondervan

Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 6:5 | Word Study

Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other. Ecclesiastes 6:5 (KJV)

‘… not seen the sun,’ means not conscious; i.e., ‘to see the sun is to be alive.’ (Seow, 212) It is a tragic example that Qoheleth takes to highlight the pathetic situation of the natural man. The extreme opposite example: the stillborn goes to the grave without any experiences, and the natural man through all the pain still reaches the grave; all the same. In this respect, the stillborn is better, at least he is at rest. (213)

Reference:

Seow, C.L. (1997). Ecclesiastes, Yale University Press

Ecclesiastes 6:4 | Word Study

For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Ecclesiastes 6:4 (KJV)

Qoheleth extends his comparison between the fate of the natural man and a stillborn child. The latter comes into existence and goes out of it with no meaning, or purpose; it goes without notice. Henry’s comments illustrate this emotion so emphatically, “better is the fruit that drops from the tree before it is ripe than that which is left to hang on till it is rotten.” The fate of the natural man is worst than this. The stillborn goes unnoticed, the natural man invites abhorrence; he goes through all the trouble just to be in a worst off position.

Reference:

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 6:1-6