Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. New Living Translation A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn’t even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead. English Standard Version If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. Berean Standard Bible A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. King James Bible If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. New King James Version If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— New American Standard Bible If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, NASB 1995 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, NASB 1977 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things, and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, Legacy Standard Bible If a man becomes the father of one hundred children and lives many years, however many the days of his years may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things, and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, Amplified Bible If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he is not respected and is not given a proper burial [he is not laid to rest in the sepulcher of his fathers], then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he, Christian Standard Bible A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. Holman Christian Standard Bible A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. American Standard Version 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: Contemporary English Version You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial. English Revised Version If a man beget an hundred children and live many years, so that the days of his years be 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation Suppose a rich person wasn't satisfied with good things [while he was alive] and didn't even get an honorable burial [after he died]. Suppose he had a hundred children and lived for many years. No matter how long he would have lived, it [still] would have been better for him to have been born dead. Good News Translation We may have a hundred children and live a long time, but no matter how long we live, if we do not get our share of happiness and do not receive a decent burial, then I say that a baby born dead is better off. International Standard Version A man might father a hundred children, and live for many years, so that the length of his life is long—but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn't receive a proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children are better off than he is, Majority Standard Bible A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. NET Bible Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years--even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity--even if he were to live forever--I would say, "A stillborn child is better off than he is!" New Heart English Bible If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial; I say, that a stillborn child is better than he: Webster's Bible Translation If a man begetteth a hundred children, and liveth many years, so that the days of his years are many, and his soul is not filled with good, and also that he hath no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. World English Bible If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf a man begets one hundred, and lives many years, and is great, because they are the days of his years, and his soul is not satisfied from the goodness, and also he has not had a grave, I have said, “Better than he [is] the untimely birth.” Young's Literal Translation If a man doth beget a hundred, and live many years, and is great, because they are the days of his years, and his soul is not satisfied from the goodness, and also he hath not had a grave, I have said, 'Better than he is the untimely birth.' Smith's Literal Translation If a man shall beget a hundred, and live many years, and a multitude shall be the days of his years, and his soul shall not be satisfied from good, and also there was no burial to him; I said, Good above him an abortion. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, and attain to a great age, and his soul make no use of the goods of his substance, and he be without burial: of this man I pronounce, that the untimely born is better than he. Catholic Public Domain Version If a man were to produce one hundred children, and to live for many years, and to attain to an age of many days, and if his soul were to make no use of the goods of his resources, and if he were lacking even a burial: concerning such a man, I declare that a miscarried child is better than he. New American Bible Should one have a hundred children and live many years, no matter to what great age, still if one has not the full benefit of those goods, I proclaim that the child born dead, even if left unburied, is more fortunate. New Revised Standard Version A man may beget a hundred children, and live many years; but however many are the days of his years, if he does not enjoy life’s good things, or has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf a man beget a hundred children and live a multitude of years so that the days of his years are many, and his soul is not filled with good things, and also that he have no burial, I say that an untimely birth is better than he. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If a man will beget a hundred and he will live many years and the days of his years will be multiplied, and his soul will not be satisfied from precious things, and also he will have no burial, I have said that a miscarriage is better than he OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he; Brenton Septuagint Translation If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, yea, however abundant the days of his years shall be, yet if his soul shall not be satisfied with good, and also he have no burial; I said, An untimely birth is better than he. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Life…2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction. 3 A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.… Cross References Job 3:16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight? Jeremiah 22:18-19 Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’ / He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem. Psalm 49:17 For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. Isaiah 14:19-20 But you are cast out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered by those slain with the sword, and dumped into a rocky pit like a carcass trampled underfoot. / You will not join them in burial, since you have destroyed your land and slaughtered your own people. The offspring of the wicked will never again be mentioned. 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Luke 12:20-21 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved. Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. Isaiah 38:18-19 For Sheol cannot thank You; Death cannot praise You. Those who descend to the Pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness. / The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness. Job 21:23-26 One man dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease. / His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow. / Yet another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, having never tasted prosperity. ... Luke 16:22-23 One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side. Treasury of Scripture If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. a man Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant. 1 Samuel 2:20,21 And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home… 2 Kings 10:1 And Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. And Jehu wrote letters, and sent to Samaria, unto the rulers of Jezreel, to the elders, and to them that brought up Ahab's children, saying, Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage. and also 2 Kings 9:35 And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of her hands. Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified. Esther 9:14,15 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's ten sons… that Ecclesiastes 4:3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Job 3:16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. Psalm 58:8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Jump to Previous Beget Begetteth Better Birth Burial Child Children Enjoy Fathers Filled Good However Hundred Live Matter Miscarriage Moreover Proper Prosperity Receive Satisfied Soul Stillborn Untimely YearsJump to Next Beget Begetteth Better Birth Burial Child Children Enjoy Fathers Filled Good However Hundred Live Matter Miscarriage Moreover Proper Prosperity Receive Satisfied Soul Stillborn Untimely YearsEcclesiastes 6 1. the vanity of riches without use3. though a man have many children and a long life 7. the vanity of sight and wandering desires 10. The conclusion of vanities A man may father a hundred children In ancient Hebrew culture, having many children was considered a sign of divine blessing and prosperity. The Hebrew word for "father" here is "yalad," which implies not just the act of procreation but also the responsibility and legacy associated with fatherhood. The hyperbolic number "a hundred" emphasizes abundance and the potential for a large family lineage, which was highly valued in biblical times. However, the verse suggests that even such a blessing can be meaningless without true fulfillment. and live many years so that the days of his years are many but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things and he also has no proper burial I say that a stillborn child is better off than he Untimely birth.--See references. We have just had another reminiscence of the Book of Job. (See Ecclesiastes 5:15.) Verse 3. - If a man beget an hundred children. Another case is supposed, differing from,the preceding one, where the rich man dies childless. Septuagint, Ἐὰν γεννήσῃ ἀνὴρ, ἑκατόν. "Sons,' or "children," must be supplied (comp. 1 Samuel 2:5; Jeremiah 15:9). To have a large family was regarded as a great blessing. The "hundred" is a round number, though we read of some fathers who had nearly this number of children; thus Ahab had seventy sons (2 Kings 10:1), Rehoboam eighty-eight children (2 Chronicles 11:21). Plumptre follows some commentators in seeing here an allusion to Artaxerxes Mnemon, who is said to have had a hundred and fifteen children, and died of grief at the age of ninety-four at the suicide of one son and the murder of another. Wordsworth opines that Solomon, in the previous verse, was thinking of Jeroboam, who, it was revealed unto him, should, stranger as he was, seize and enjoy his inheritance. But these historical references are the merest guesswork, and rest upon no substantial basis. Plainly the author's statement is general, and there is no need to ransack history to find its parallel. And live many years, so that the days of his years be many; Et vixerit multos annos, et plures dies aetatis habuerit (Vulgate). These versions seem to be simply tautological. The second clause is climacteric, as Ginsburg renders, "Yea, numerous as may be the days of his years." The whole extent of years is summed up in days. So Psalm 90:10, "The days of our years are three score years and ten," etc. Long life, again, was deemed a special blessing, as we see in the commandment with promise (Exodus 20:12). And (yet if) his soul not filled with good; i.e. he does not satisfy himself with the enjoyment of all the good things which he possesses. Septuagint, Καὶ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ οὐ πλησθήσεται ἀπὸ τῆς ἀγαθωσύνης "And his soul shall not be satisfied with his good." And also that he have no burial. This is the climax of the evil that befalls him. Some critics, not entering into Koheleth's view of the severity of this calamity, translate, "and even if the grave did not wait for him," i.e. "if he were never to die," if he were immortal. But there is no parallel to show that the clause can have this meaning; and we know, without having recourse to Greek precedents, that the want of burial was reckoned a grievous loss and dishonor. Hence comes the common allusion to dead carcasses being left to be devoured by beasts and birds, instead of meeting with honorable burial in the ancestral graves (1 Kings 13:22; Isaiah 14:18-20). Thus David says to his giant foe, "I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth" (1 Samuel 17:46); and about Jehoiakim it was denounced that he should not be lamented when he died: "He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 22:18, 19). The lot of the rich man in question is proclaimed with ever-increasing misery. Ha cannot enjoy his possessions; he has none to whom to leave them; his memory perishes; he has no honored burial. I say, that an untimely birth is better than he (comp. Ecclesiastes 4:3). The abortion or still-born child is preferable to one whose destiny is so miserable (see Job 3:16; Psalm 58:8). It is preferable because, although it has missed all the pleasures of life, it has at least escaped all suffering. The next two verses illustrate this position.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew A manאִ֣ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person may father יוֹלִ֣יד (yō·w·lîḏ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage a hundred [children] מֵאָ֡ה (mê·’āh) Number - feminine singular Strong's 3967: A hundred and live יִֽחְיֶ֜ה (yiḥ·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2421: To live, to revive for many רַבּ֨וֹת (rab·bō·wṯ) Adjective - feminine plural Strong's 7227: Much, many, great years; וְשָׁנִים֩ (wə·šā·nîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year yet no matter how long וְרַ֣ב ׀ (wə·raḇ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7227: Much, many, great he lives, יְמֵֽי־ (yə·mê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3117: A day if he וְנַפְשׁוֹ֙ (wə·nap̄·šōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion is unsatisfied תִשְׂבַּ֣ע (ṯiś·ba‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited with מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of his prosperity הַטּוֹבָ֔ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good and does not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no even וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and receive a proper burial, קְבוּרָ֖ה (qə·ḇū·rāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6900: Sepulture, a sepulchre I say אָמַ֕רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say that a stillborn child הַנָּֽפֶל׃ (han·nā·p̄el) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5309: Something fallen, an abortion is better off ט֥וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good than he. מִמֶּ֖נּוּ (mim·men·nū) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of Links Ecclesiastes 6:3 NIVEcclesiastes 6:3 NLT Ecclesiastes 6:3 ESV Ecclesiastes 6:3 NASB Ecclesiastes 6:3 KJV Ecclesiastes 6:3 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 6:3 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 6:3 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 6:3 French Bible Ecclesiastes 6:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 6:3 If a man fathers a hundred children (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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