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

9Better is what the eyes see than the pursuit of the soul’s desires. This too is fleeting and striving after wind. 10Whatever exists has already been named, and it has been made known what humanity is. But man cannot contend with the One who is mightier than he. When there are many words, futility increases! How does that benefit anyone? 12For who knows what is good for one during his life—during the few days of his fleeting life—that pass like a shadow? For who can tell a person what happens after him under the sun?

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 toward the south, and circles around to the north. Round and round it swirls about, ever returning to its circuits.
• Ecclesiastes 2:3I thought deeply about how to cheer my flesh with wine—letting my heart guide me with wisdom—and how to grasp folly, so that I could see what was worthwhile for the sons of men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
• Ecclesiastes 3:19For the destiny of humankind and the destiny of animals are one and the same. As one dies, so dies the other. Both have the same breath—a human has no advantage over an animal—both are fleeting.
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter. Power is in the hand of their oppressors, but they had no comforter.
• Ecclesiastes 5:7If you see the oppression of the poor or perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the matter. For one authority watches over another authority, and higher ones are over them.
• Psalms 73:6Therefore, they put on pride as a necklace, and violence wraps around them like a garment.
• Hosea 12:1“Ephraim surrounded Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit.” Though Judah roams restlessly with God, yet he is faithful with holy things.

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