Ecclesiastes 6:12

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?

For who knoweth {H3045} what is good {H2896} for man {H120} in this life {H2416}, all {H4557} the days {H3117} of his vain {H1892} life {H2416} which he spendeth {H6213} as a shadow {H6738}? for who can tell {H5046} a man {H120} what shall be after {H310} him under the sun {H8121}?

For who knows what is good for someone during life, during the days of his pointless life spent like a shadow? Who can tell what will happen under the sun after a person is gone?

For 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?

For who knoweth what is good for man in his 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?

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 6:12 (KJV)

Ecclesiastes 6:12 encapsulates the Preacher's profound questioning about human understanding and the brevity of life. It highlights the inherent limits of human knowledge regarding what is truly beneficial for humanity and what the future holds, underscoring a central theme of the book: the vanity of earthly pursuits.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader philosophical exploration in Ecclesiastes, a book often attributed to King Solomon, known as the Preacher or Qoheleth. The Preacher systematically examines the various endeavors and experiences of life "under the sun"—that is, life lived from a purely earthly perspective, apart from a conscious relationship with God. He explores the pursuit of wealth, wisdom, pleasure, and toil, and consistently finds them to be ultimately unsatisfying and meaningless in the face of death and the unknown. This specific verse reinforces the idea that humanity's efforts to find ultimate good or predict future outcomes are futile, contributing to the book's overarching message of vanity of vanities.

Key Themes

  • Human Ignorance and Limitations: The opening question, "For who knoweth what is good for man in this life?", powerfully underscores humanity's limited perspective. Despite our best efforts, we often strive for things we believe are good, only to find them unsatisfying, fleeting, or even detrimental in the long run. We lack the divine foresight to truly discern what will bring lasting benefit.
  • The Fleeting Nature of Life: Describing life as "vain life which he spendeth as a shadow" vividly portrays its brevity and insubstantiality. A shadow is transient, without substance, and quickly vanishes with the changing light. This metaphor emphasizes the ephemeral quality of human existence and all earthly achievements, echoing the sentiment that life is like a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
  • Uncertainty of the Future: The concluding question, "for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?", highlights our complete inability to control or even foresee future events. This applies not only to personal circumstances but also to our legacy or what happens after our death. This profound uncertainty contributes to the sense of futility and the humbling realization of human limitations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "vain life" translates the Hebrew word hebel (הֶבֶל), which is a crucial term throughout Ecclesiastes. Hebel literally means "vapor" or "breath," conveying a sense of emptiness, futility, transience, or absurdity. When life is described as "vain life" (hebel life), it emphasizes its fleeting and insubstantial nature, much like a breath that quickly dissipates. The comparison to spending life "as a shadow" further reinforces this idea of impermanence and lack of substance, as a shadow has no real being and vanishes with the changing light.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 6:12 serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the brevity of life. It encourages a critical evaluation of our pursuits and priorities. If we cannot truly know what is good for us in the long run or what the future holds, then placing all our hope and effort in earthly achievements or possessions is ultimately futile. This verse implicitly points towards seeking wisdom and meaning in something beyond the "under the sun" realm, where God's perspective and sovereignty provide the ultimate answers. It encourages humility, appreciation for the present moment, and a focus on eternal truths rather than temporary gains. The ultimate answer to the question of "what is good for man" is found not in human striving, but in revering God and keeping His commandments, as the book's conclusion suggests.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 4:14

    Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • Job 14:2

    He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

  • Lamentations 3:24

    The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

  • Lamentations 3:27

    [It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

  • Psalms 144:4

    Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.

  • Psalms 39:5

    Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.

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