Berean Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 6:11
11For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
Ecclesiastes 6:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
- New International Version (NIV)The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
- English Standard Version (ESV)The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?
- New King James Version (NKJV)Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?
Context of Ecclesiastes 6:11
9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 10Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone? 12For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?
Read all of Ecclesiastes 6Ecclesiastes 6:11 word by word
כִּ֛י יֵשׁ־דְּבָרִ֥ים הַרְבֵּ֖ה מַרְבִּ֣ים הָ֑בֶל מַה־יֹּתֵ֖ר לָאָדָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 6:11
- Ecclesiastes 1:6The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
- Ecclesiastes 3:19For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile.
- Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
- Ecclesiastes 5:7For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
- Psalms 73:6Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
- Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 6:11
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Things - Namely, the various circumstances detailed in the foregoing chapters, from the Preacher‘s personal experience, and his observation of other people, ending with the comprehensive declaration in Ecclesiastes 6:10 to the effect that vanity is an essential part of the constitution of creation as it now exists, and was foreknown. What is man the better? - Rather, what is profitable to man?Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-12Verses 7-12 A little will serve to sustain us comfortably, and a great deal can do no more. The desires of the soul find nothing in the wealth of the world to give satisfaction. The poor man has comfort as well as the richest, and is under no real disadvantage. We cannot say, Better is the sight of the eyes than the resting of the soul in God; for it is better to live by faith in things to come, than to live by sense, which dwells only upon present…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11For the more words, the more futility: Compare with Proverbs 10:19 and Proverbs 17:28.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. "Seeing" that man cannot escape from the "vanity," which by God's "mighty" will is inherent in earthly things, and cannot call in question God's wisdom in these dispensations (equivalent to "contend," &c.), what is man the better--of these vain things as regards the chief good? None whatever.Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 6:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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