¶ All the labour of man [is] for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
All the labour {H5999} of man {H120} is for his mouth {H6310}, and yet the appetite {H5315} is not filled {H4390}.
The purpose of all toil is to fill the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
-
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.
Ecclesiastes 6:7 offers a profound insight from the Preacher (Qoheleth) into the core human experience of labor and the elusive nature of satisfaction.
Context
This verse is found within the Book of Ecclesiastes, a work of wisdom literature traditionally attributed to King Solomon. The Preacher's central theme is the "vanity" or futility (Hebrew: hebel) of life's pursuits "under the sun"—that is, when viewed solely from an earthly perspective, separate from a divine one. Prior verses in this chapter and throughout the book have explored the emptiness of wealth, pleasure, and even wisdom when they become ultimate goals. Here, the focus narrows to the most fundamental human activity: working for sustenance, and the inherent dissatisfaction that can accompany it.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "labour" is amal (עָמָל), which often implies not just work, but burdensome toil, wearisome effort, or even trouble and pain. This isn't necessarily joyful work, but effort with a sense of struggle. The "appetite" comes from the Hebrew word nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ), which is often translated as "soul," "life," or "person." While it can refer to physical hunger, its use here suggests a deeper, more profound longing of the inner being or soul that remains unsatisfied by what the "mouth" consumes. It is the very essence of a person's desire that is never truly filled, echoing the sentiment of a soul thirsting for something more.
Reflection and Application
Ecclesiastes 6:7 holds timeless relevance, particularly in modern societies driven by consumerism and constant striving. It prompts us to consider:
Ultimately, Ecclesiastes 6:7 challenges us to seek fulfillment not in the abundance of what we have or do, but in that which truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul.