Ecclesiastes 6:12
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?
JPS TaNaKH 1917
In The King James Version
In Context
11Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?
Cross References
Job 8:9For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow —
Job 14:21His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he regardeth them not.
Psalms 16:5O LORD, the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup, Thou maintainest my lot.
Psalms 39:5(39-6) Behold, Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; and mine age is as nothing before Thee; surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. Selah
Psalms 89:47(89-48) O remember how short my time is; for what vanity hast Thou created all the children of men!
Psalms 102:11(102-12) My days are like a lengthening shadow; and I am withered like grass.
Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 6:12
The Insatiableness of Desire. 11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 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? Here, 1. Solomon lays down his conclusion which he had undertaken to prove, as that which was fully confirmed by the foregoing discourse: There be many things that increase vanity; the life of man is vain, at the best, and there are… Read the whole commentary →