Ecclesiastes 6:7

KJV

¶ All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the labour {H5999} of man {H120} is for his mouth {H6310}, and yet the appetite {H5315} is not filled {H4390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The purpose of all toil is to fill the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied.

Berean Standard Bible

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

American Standard Version

All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 6:7 presents a stark observation from Qoheleth regarding the inherent futility of human labor when viewed solely from an earthly perspective. It posits that while all human effort is directed towards sustaining physical life and satisfying immediate needs, there remains a persistent, unquenchable longing within the human spirit that material provision alone can never fully satisfy, highlighting the pervasive theme of vanity ("hebel") in life "under the sun."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 5-6) where Qoheleth systematically dismantles various earthly pursuits that promise satisfaction but ultimately deliver emptiness. Following reflections on the vanity of wealth, power, and even wisdom without God, chapter 6 specifically addresses the futility of material accumulation and the inability of physical provisions to satisfy the deepest human cravings. The preceding verses lament the tragedy of a wealthy person who cannot enjoy their riches, emphasizing that even abundance does not guarantee contentment. Ecclesiastes 6:7 then zeroes in on the most fundamental aspect of human existence – the need for sustenance – to illustrate this pervasive dissatisfaction. It serves as a foundational statement for the subsequent examples of unfulfilled desires.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who lived during a period of immense prosperity and peace in ancient Israel (c. 10th century BCE). This historical backdrop provides a unique vantage point for Qoheleth, who, having experienced the pinnacle of worldly success, pleasure, and wisdom, is uniquely positioned to comment on their ultimate emptiness. The cultural context of ancient Near Eastern societies, like Israel, was largely agrarian, where "labour" (`'âmâl`) was often arduous and directly tied to providing food for one's family. The "mouth" was not just a physical organ but a symbol of consumption and sustenance. The Preacher's observations, therefore, resonate deeply with the daily reality of a people whose lives revolved around the demanding cycle of sowing, reaping, and consuming, yet still experienced a profound sense of lack.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 6:7 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book. Firstly, it underscores the **Futility of Earthly Endeavor** (`hebel`), demonstrating how even the most basic and necessary human activity—labor for sustenance—fails to bring ultimate satisfaction. This theme is echoed in Qoheleth's lament over the endless cycle of work and consumption in [Ecclesiastes 1:3](/ecclesiastes/1-3 "Ecclesiastes 1:3 - What profit has a man from all his labor?"). Secondly, it highlights the **Inherent Dissatisfaction of the Human Heart**, suggesting that human desires (`nephesh`) extend far beyond mere physical needs and cannot be appeased by material possessions or achievements. This profound spiritual hunger is a recurring motif, contrasting with the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures described in [Ecclesiastes 2:1-11](/ecclesiastes/2 "Ecclesiastes 2 - The Vanity of Pleasure and Wisdom"). Finally, the verse subtly points towards the **Limits of Human Control and Wisdom**, implying that despite all planning and effort, humanity cannot fully master its own contentment or fill the void within through its own means, a truth explored further in [Ecclesiastes 3:11](/ecclesiastes/3-11 "Ecclesiastes 3:11 - God has made everything beautiful in its time").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **labour (Hebrew, _ʻâmâl'_):** From H5999, this word signifies more than just work; it implies toil, wearing effort, worry, and often carries connotations of pain, trouble, and wearisomeness. It suggests a burdensome, often frustrating struggle rather than joyful or fulfilling activity. In Ecclesiastes 6:7, it emphasizes the strenuous and often unrewarding nature of human exertion directed towards survival.
* **appetite (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, `nephesh` is a rich Hebrew term often translated as "soul," "life," "person," or "being." While it can refer to physical hunger or desire, its broader meaning encompasses the totality of one's inner being, including desires, emotions, and the very essence of life. Here, it points to a deeper, more profound longing of the inner self that transcends mere physical hunger and cannot be satisfied by external provisions.
* **filled (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** From H4390, this primitive root means "to fill" or "to be full of," in a wide application, both literally and figuratively. It implies completion, satisfaction, or being wholly supplied. The negative "is not filled" (`lōʼ mâlêʼ`) therefore powerfully conveys a state of perpetual emptiness, incompleteness, and dissatisfaction, despite continuous effort to achieve fullness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the labour of man is for his mouth":** This clause establishes the fundamental premise: the primary, inescapable purpose of human toil and effort is to provide for basic physical sustenance. "His mouth" serves as a metonymy for food, drink, and the necessities of life. It highlights the practical, often demanding, and seemingly endless cycle of working to eat, a universal human experience.
* **"and yet the appetite is not filled":** This second clause introduces the profound paradox and the Preacher's central observation. Despite the ceaseless effort to provide for the "mouth" and satisfy physical needs, the deeper "appetite" or longing of the human soul remains perpetually unsatisfied. This is not merely physical hunger but a spiritual and existential void that material consumption cannot bridge.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 6:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, as it presents the seemingly contradictory idea that despite all human effort directed towards sustenance, a deeper hunger remains. This creates a sense of **Irony**, where the very act designed to bring satisfaction ultimately fails to do so. The phrase "for his mouth" uses **Metonymy**, where "mouth" stands in for the act of eating and the broader concept of physical sustenance. Similarly, "appetite" uses **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy** to represent the deeper longings of the whole person or soul, rather than just physical hunger. The verse's concise, declarative structure reflects Qoheleth's characteristic **Didacticism** and **Observation**, presenting a stark truth about the human condition without immediate resolution, thereby inviting the reader to ponder the deeper implications of life "under the sun."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the human condition post-Fall, where labor became toilsome and satisfaction elusive. It reveals a fundamental theological truth: humanity's deepest longings are spiritual, not material. The insatiable "appetite" points to a God-shaped void within the human soul that no amount of earthly provision, pleasure, or achievement can ever truly fill. This inherent dissatisfaction is a constant reminder of our created purpose to find ultimate fulfillment in God alone, and the futility of seeking it elsewhere. It underscores the pervasive theme of `hebel` (vanity/futility) throughout Ecclesiastes, challenging the notion that life's meaning can be found in worldly pursuits.

* [Proverbs 27:20](/proverbs/27-20 "Proverbs 27:20 - Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and the eyes of man are never satisfied.")
* [Isaiah 55:2](/isaiah/55-2 "Isaiah 55:2 - Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?")
* [Habakkuk 2:5](/habakkuk/2-5 "Habakkuk 2:5 - The arrogant man is never at rest; his greed is as wide as the grave, he is like death, and never satisfied.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 6:7 serves as a poignant mirror reflecting the endless cycle of striving and consuming that often characterizes modern life. It challenges us to pause and consider if our relentless pursuit of material gain, career advancement, or even personal pleasure is truly satisfying the deepest longings of our hearts. The Preacher's observation reminds us that true contentment is not found in the abundance of what we possess or consume, but in something far more profound. If our "appetite" remains unfilled despite all our "labour," it suggests that we are seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. This verse calls us to re-evaluate our priorities, to recognize the limits of earthly provisions, and to turn our gaze towards the source of genuine and lasting fulfillment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like you are constantly working, yet your "appetite" remains unfilled?**
* **How does society's emphasis on consumption and achievement contribute to this feeling of perpetual dissatisfaction?**
* **What might this "unfilled appetite" be truly longing for, beyond physical or material satisfaction?**
* **How can recognizing the truth of this verse help you re-prioritize your efforts and redefine what true fulfillment means?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that all labor is meaningless or bad?**

Answer: Not necessarily that all labor is inherently meaningless, but rather that labor *for its own sake* or labor directed *solely towards material gain* will ultimately fail to satisfy the deepest human longings. The Preacher is critiquing the *ultimate purpose* of labor when detached from a divine perspective. While labor is necessary for sustenance ("for his mouth"), it cannot fill the spiritual void within the "appetite" or soul (`nephesh`). Ecclesiastes often distinguishes between the futility of life "under the sun" (without God) and the possibility of finding joy and purpose in one's work as a gift from God (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 2:24](/ecclesiastes/2-24 "Ecclesiastes 2:24 - There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil.") or [Ecclesiastes 3:13](/ecclesiastes/3-13 "Ecclesiastes 3:13 - that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment in all his toil; this is God's gift to man.")). The problem isn't labor itself, but where we seek our ultimate satisfaction through it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 6:7, with its poignant declaration of an unfillable human "appetite," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "labour of man" for his "mouth" represents humanity's ceaseless striving to satisfy its needs and desires through earthly means, a pursuit that inevitably leaves the "appetite" (`nephesh`) unfulfilled. This deep, unquenchable longing points directly to the spiritual hunger that only God can satisfy. Jesus addresses this very human condition when He declares, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"). He is the true manna from heaven, the spiritual sustenance that fills the void left by all earthly provisions. Furthermore, His invitation to drink of the "living water" in [John 4:13-14](/john/4-13 "John 4:13-14 - Jesus offers living water") promises a satisfaction that wells up to eternal life, contrasting sharply with the fleeting satisfaction offered by the world. The toil and pain (`ʻâmâl`) described by Qoheleth were ultimately borne by Christ on the cross, where He became the ultimate sacrifice, offering true rest and satisfaction for our weary souls. In Him, the restless human spirit finds its true home and its deepest longings are finally and eternally filled, not by what we consume, but by who He is.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Proverbs 16:26

¶ He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

1 Timothy 6:6

¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Matthew 6:25

¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.

Luke 12:19

And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.