1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- There is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- an evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- which I have seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- common H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- among men H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- A man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- to whom God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- hath given H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- riches H6239 (עֹשֶׁר) — wealth
- wealth H5233 (נֶכֶס) — treasure
- and honour H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
- so that he wanteth H2638 (חָסֵר) — lacking; hence, without
- nothing for his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- of all that he desireth H183 (אָוָה) — to wish for
- yet God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- giveth him not power H7980 (שָׁלַט) — to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication, to permit
- to eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- thereof, but a stranger H5237 (נׇכְרִי) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
- thereof, but a stranger H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- eateth H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- an evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- disease H2483 (חֳלִי) — malady, anxiety, calamity
3 If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- If a man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- beget H3205 (יָלַד) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
- an hundred H3967 (מֵאָה) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
- and live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- so that the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of his years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- be many H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- and his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- be not filled H7646 (שָׂבַע) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
- with good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- he have no burial H6900 (קְבוּרָה) — sepulture; (concretely) a sepulchre
- I say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- an untimely birth H5309 (נֶפֶל) — something fallen, i.e. an abortion
- better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
4 for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For he cometh H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- in with vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and departeth H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- in darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
- and his name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- shall be covered H3680 (כָּסָה) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
- with darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
5 moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Moreover he hath not seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- nor known H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- this H2088 (זֶה) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
- hath more rest H5183 (נַחַת) — a descent, i.e. imposition, unfavorable (punishment) or favorable (food); restfulness
- than H2088 (זֶה) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea, though H432 (אִלּוּ) — nay, i.e. (softened) if
- he live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- a thousand H505 (אֶלֶף) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
- years H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- twice H6471 (פַּעַם) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
- yet hath he seen H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- no good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- do not all go H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- to one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- All the labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- of man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- for his mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- and yet the appetite H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- is not filled H4390 (מָלֵא) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For what hath the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- more H3148 (יוֹתֵר) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
- than the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- what hath the poor H6041 (עָנִי) — depressed, in mind or circumstances
- that knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- to walk H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- before the living H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- the sight H4758 (מַרְאֶה) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental…
- of the eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- than the wandering H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- of the desire H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- also vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
10 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That which hath been is named H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- That which hath been is named H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
- already H3528 (כְּבָר) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto
- and it is known H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- neither may H3201 (יָכֹל) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
- he contend H1777 (דִּין) — to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)
- with him that is mightier H8623 (תַּקִּיף) — powerful
11 Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Seeing there be H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- many H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- things H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- that increase H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- the better H3148 (יוֹתֵר) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
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?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For who knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- for man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- all H4557 (מִסְפָּר) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
- the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of his vain H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- which he spendeth H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- as a shadow H6738 (צֵל) — shade, whether literal or figurative
- for who can tell H5046 (נָגַד) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present…
- a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- what shall be after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- him under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement