Ecclesiastes 6:10

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 6:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it [is] man, etc.] Which may be understood of the first man Adam, who has been, has existed, was produced by the immediate power of God, creating and forming him out of the dust of the earth; was made after the image, and in the likeness of God, a wise and knowing creature, a rich and powerful one, the figure of him that was to come, being the head and representative of all his posterity; and he has been named already, he had his name from the Lord himself, suitable to his nature and formation; he called his name Adam, from “Adamah”, the earth, from whence he was taken; and though he was so wise and great, and even affected deity,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Part II begins here. Since man's toils are vain, what is the chief good? (Ecc 6:12). The answer is contained in the rest of the book. That which hath been--man's various circumstances is named already--not only has existed, Ecc 1:9; Ecc 3:15, but has received its just name, "vanity," long ago, and it is known that it--vanity is man--Hebrew, "Adam," equivalent to man "of red dust," as his Creator appropriately named him from his frailty. neither may he contend, &c.-- (Rom 9:20).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Or, “That which has been named - i. e., events past or current, either Ecclesiastes 1:9 as they present themselves to man, or Ecclesiastes 3:15 as they are ordered by God - was long ago (i. e., was decreed, its nature and place were defined by the Almighty), and was known that it is man;” i. e., the course of events shapes the conduct and character of man, so that what he does and suffers is said to be or constitute the man. God from the beginning definitely ordained the course of events external to man, and constituted man in such a way that events materially affect his conduct and his destiny. Hence, God, by withholding from certain people the gift of contentment, and thus subjecting them…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Is named - This is added as a further instance of the vanity of all things in this life. That which hath been (man, who is the chief of all visible beings) is named already, by God, who, presently after his creation, gave him the following name, to signify what his nature and condition was. Man - A mortal and miserable creature, as his very name signifies, which God gave him for this very end, that he might be always sensible of his vain and miserable estate in this world. With him - With almighty God, with whom men are apt to contend upon every slight occasion, and against whom they are ready to murmur for this vanity, and mortality, and misery. Ecclesiastes 6:11”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:10–7:22 God’s sovereign rule over everything is sobering, but it is ultimately a source of hope. 6:10 Everything has already been decided: Cp. Rom 8:29; Eph 1:5, 11. • It was known long ago what each person would be: Cp. Ps 139:15-16. • no use arguing with God about your destiny: Cp. Rom 9:20-24.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“which: Ecc 1:9-11, Ecc 3:15 and it: Gen 3:9, Gen 3:17-19; Job 14:1-4; Psa 39:6, Psa 82:6, Psa 82:7, Psa 103:15 neither: Job 9:3, Job 9:4, Job 9:32, Job 33:13, Job 40:2; Isa 45:9, Isa 45:10; Jer 49:19; Rom 9:19, Rom 9:20 Ecclesiastes 6:11”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"That which hath been, its name hath long ago been named; and it is determined what a man shall be: and he cannot dispute with Him who is stronger than he." According to the usage of the tense, it would be more correct to translate: That which (at any time) has made its appearance, the name of which was long ago named, i.e., of which the What? and the How? were long ago determined, and, so to speak, formulated. This שׁ ... כּבר does not stand parallel to היה כבר, Ecc 1:10; for the expression here does not refer to the sphere of that which is done, but of the predetermination. Accordingly, אדם ... ונו is also to be understood. Against the accents, inconsistently periodizing and losing sight…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification