Ecclesiastes 6:12

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

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?

BSB Berean Standard Bible

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?

WEB World English Bible

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

ASV American Standard Version

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?

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

For who knoweth what is good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?

Surrounding context — Ecclesiastes 6

9 Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it [is] man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

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?

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Cross-references

James 4:14Whereas 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.Job 14:2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.Ecclesiastes 3:22Wherefore 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?Lamentations 3:24-27The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.Psalm 144:4Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.Psalm 39:5-6Behold, 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.Ecclesiastes 8:13But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.Ecclesiastes 8:7For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?1 Chronicles 29:15For we [are] strangers before thee, and sojourners, as [were] all our fathers: our days on the earth [are] as a shadow, and [there is] none abiding.Job 8:9(For we [are but of] yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth [are] a shadow:)Psalm 17:15As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.Psalm 109:23I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.Job 14:21His sons come to honour, and he knoweth [it] not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth [it] not of them.Ecclesiastes 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.Psalm 102:11My days [are] like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.Ecclesiastes 2:3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what [was] that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.Psalm 90:10-12The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.Ecclesiastes 9:6Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING

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