Ecclesiastes 6:1

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 6:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:
Ecclesiastes 6:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, etc.] The Vulgate Latin version reads it, another evil; but wrongly, for the same is considered as before, the evil of covetousness; which is one of the evil things that come out of the heart of man; is abominable to the Lord, contrary to his nature and will, and a breach of his law, which forbids it, and is the root of all evil; this is an evil under the sun, for there is nothing of this kind above it; and it fell under the observation of Solomon in various instances; and it [is] common among men; or, “great over men”f143; or “over the man”, the covetous man: it spreads itself over them; few were free from it, even so long ago, in those…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Ecc 6:1-12) common--or else more literally,--"great upon man," falls heavily upon man.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Common among - Rather, great (heavy) upon people. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:1-2 This “unfortunate man” parable resembles 4:7-8 and 5:13-17. It is a sickening tragedy when someone succeeds but then cannot enjoy these things. Such a person has missed out on the only available benefit of success.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ecc 5:13 Ecclesiastes 6:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and in great weight it lies upon man: a man to whom God giveth riches, and treasures, and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he may wish, but God giveth him not power to have enjoyment of it, for a strange man hath the enjoyment: that is vanity and an evil disease." The author presents the result of personal observation; but inasmuch as he relates it in the second tense, he generalizes the matter, and places it scenically before the eyes of the reader. A similar introduction with ישׁ, but without the unnecessary asher, is found at Ecc 5:12; Ecc 10:5. Regarding בּה, vid., under Ecc 8:6; על does not denote the subj., as at…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification