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All of Ecclesiastes

Bible Chapter Summary

Ecclesiastes 6 Summary

The Evil of Hoarding Without Enjoyment

The Preacher observes an evil common among men: one to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing for his soul's desire, yet God does not grant him power to enjoy it, and a stranger eats it instead. Having a hundred children and long life means nothing if the soul is not satisfied with good and no burial is given. The Preacher emphasizes that the appetite is not filled by labor, and one who sees good is no better than a fool. Though many things increase vanity, no one knows what is truly good for man or what comes after him.

Key themes

Riches without enjoymentCannot take possessionsAppetite never satisfiedUnknown future

Key verses

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Ecclesiastes 6:7

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

Ecclesiastes 6:8-9

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

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?

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