Ecclesiastes 6:4

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Ecclesiastes 6:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;
Ecclesiastes 6:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Ecclesiastes 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For he cometh in with vanity, etc.] The Targum adds, “into this world.” Some understand this of the abortive, and render it, “though he cometh in with vanity”f145, yet is to be preferred to the covetous man: others interpret it of the covetous man himself; and scrape of both: or, however, they may be compared together in these instances; the abortive comes into the world in vain, for nothing, and answers no purpose, as can well be observed; and the same may be said of a covetous rich man; he walks in a vain show, and is altogether vanity, in his coming in, in his life, and going out; and departeth in darkness; or, “into darkness”f146; goes out of the world without any notice taken of him;…”
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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
“he--rather "it," "the untimely birth." So "its," not "his name." with vanity--to no purpose; a type of the driftless existence of him who makes riches the chief good. darkness--of the abortive; a type of the unhonored death and dark future beyond the grave of the avaricious.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He ... his - Rather, it ... its. The untimely birth is spoken of. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He - The abortive; of whom alone, that passage is true, hath not seen the sun, Ecc 6:5. Cometh - Into the world. In vain - To no purpose; without any comfort or benefit by it. Departeth - Without any observation or regard of men. His name - Shall be speedily and utterly forgotten. Ecclesiastes 6:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“his name: Psa 109:13 Ecclesiastes 6:5”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The comparison of an untimely birth with such a man is in favour of the former: "For it cometh in nothingness and departeth in darkness; and with darkness its name is covered. Moreover, it hath not seen the sun, and hath not known: it is better with it than with that other." It has entered into existence, בּהבל, because it was a lifeless existence into which it entered when its independent life should have begun; and בּהשׁך, it departeth, for it is carried away in all quietness, without noise or ceremony, and "with darkness" its name is covered, for it receives no name and remains a nameless existence, and is forgotten as if it had never been. Not having entered into a living existence, it…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification