Bible Study – Semper Reformanda

Ecclesiastes 6:12 | Word Study

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? Ecclesiastes 6:12 (KJV)

‘… all of the days of his vain life,’ refers to the ‘accusative of time. (Seow, 233) ‘… spendeth as a shadow’ refers to human life being ephemeral, (234) i.e., human life is short and thereby ignorant. The implication is that man is in no condition to judge what is good for himself, in fact, he does not even know what is going to happen to him after death. (Bartholomew, 204)

References:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

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

Ecclesiastes 6:11 | Word Study

Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? Ecclesiastes 6:11 (KJV)

‘More words… more vanity,’ highlights the transient nature of things. Vanity or ‘enigma’ here is translated as ‘fleeting.’ (Bartholomew, 204) Qoheleth seems to state that the vanity of labouring under the sun cannot be resolved by investing more labour into it. As Henry writes, “what residuum has he, what overplus, what real advantage, when he comes to balance his account?” Or in other words, what remains after much labour is only vanity.

Reference:

Bartholomew, C. (2009). Ecclesiastes, Baker Academic

Henry, M. (1706). Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete, Eccl. 6:11-12

Ecclesiastes 6:10 | Word Study

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. Ecclesiastes 6:10 (KJV)

Qoheleth seems to question human exceptionality. He questions the profit of a man’s labour, the ingenuity of claiming his name for eternity. There is nothing new he could do, there is nothing new he can think, and therefore, nothing can give him rest. Provan lays this out appropriately, “… (this) reminds us of our true nature as human beings. Everything that exists has already been ‘named’ in accordance with its true character (Gen. 2:19–20). This includes ‘man’ (Adam), who comes from the ‘dust’ (Gen. 2:7) and will return to the dust (Eccl. 12:7). Human beings prefer to make a name for themselves (Gen. 11:4); but in fact, they already possess one, and it is a name that signifies weakness (dust) in the face of the almighty Creator God, with whom no one can ‘contend’ or dispute, as Job discovered (Job 38–42).” (149)

Reference:

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