Word Study – Semper Reformanda

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

Ecclesiastes 6:8 | Word Study

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? Ecclesiastes 6:8 (KJV)

It seems there are two studies here: (1) wise over the fool, and (2) poor over the rich. In both cases, the former is thought to be better off than the latter; but Qoheleth seems to states – this may not be so. This enigmatic situation is formulated appropriately by Bartholomew, “… (it) refers back to 5:8-9. Wisdom is all about skill in living, but what value is it to the poor if their lot is to be oppressed and exploited? How can wisdom help the poor if rising out of poverty, that is, becoming wealthy—one of the things wisdom is meant to produce (cf. Prov. 3:9–10) merely compounds the problem of the meaning of life?” (202-203) Without God, our skills amount to nothing.

Reference:

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