Ecclesiastes 6:11

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

9It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind. 10Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is. The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? 12For no one knows what is best for a person during his life – during the few days of his fleeting life – for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

Ecclesiastes 6:11 word by word

כִּ֛י יֵשׁ־דְּבָרִ֥ים הַרְבֵּ֖ה מַרְבִּ֣ים הָ֑בֶל מַה־יֹּתֵ֖ר לָאָדָֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Seeing there beיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• manyרָבָהrâbâh · to multiplyH7235
• thingsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• vanityהֶ֫בֶלhebel hăbêl · vanityH1892
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• the betterיוֹתֵרyôthêr · advantageH3148

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 6:11

• Ecclesiastes 1:6The wind goes to the south and circles around to the north; round and round the wind goes and on its rounds it returns.
• Ecclesiastes 2:3I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.
• Ecclesiastes 3:19For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
• Ecclesiastes 5:7Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!
• Psalms 73:6Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing.
• Hosea 12:1Ephraim continually feeds on the wind; he chases the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence. They make treaties with Assyria, and send olive oil as tribute 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

• Ignorance
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Synagogue, the Great

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