All a man’s labor is for his mouth
This phrase highlights the fundamental human pursuit of sustenance and survival. In the ancient Near Eastern context, labor was primarily agrarian, with most people working the land to provide food for themselves and their families. This reflects the curse of Genesis 3:17-19, where Adam is told he will toil for his food. The emphasis on labor for sustenance is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Proverbs 16:26, which states that a worker's appetite works for him. This phrase underscores the idea that much of human effort is directed toward meeting basic physical needs.

yet his appetite is never satisfied
This part of the verse speaks to the insatiable nature of human desire. Despite the labor and effort put into acquiring sustenance, there is a deeper longing that remains unfulfilled. This reflects the theme of vanity and futility found throughout Ecclesiastes, as seen in Ecclesiastes 1:8, where it is stated that the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The insatiable appetite can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, where material and physical pursuits never fully satisfy the soul's deeper needs. This points to the need for spiritual fulfillment, which is ultimately found in Christ, as suggested in John 6:35, where Jesus declares Himself the bread of life, promising that whoever comes to Him will never hunger.

1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often explore the meaning and purpose of life.

2. Israel
The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time provides a backdrop for understanding the themes of labor and satisfaction.

3. Labor
Represents human effort and toil, a central theme in Ecclesiastes, reflecting on the futility and temporary nature of earthly pursuits.

4. Appetite
Symbolizes human desires and needs, both physical and metaphorical, which are often insatiable and lead to a cycle of continuous striving.

5. Wisdom Literature
Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes Proverbs and Job, focusing on the complexities of life and the pursuit of understanding.The Futility of Earthly Pursuits
Human labor often focuses on fulfilling immediate needs and desires, yet true satisfaction remains elusive. This reflects the temporary nature of worldly achievements.

The Insatiable Nature of Desire
Just as physical hunger returns, so do our desires for more, whether it be wealth, success, or pleasure. Recognizing this can lead us to seek deeper, spiritual fulfillment.

Contentment in Christ
True contentment is found not in the accumulation of material goods but in a relationship with Christ. This shifts our focus from earthly labor to eternal values.

The Purpose of Work
While labor is necessary, it should not be the ultimate goal. Work can be a means to serve others and glorify God, aligning our efforts with His purposes.

Eternal Perspective
Keeping an eternal perspective helps us prioritize our efforts and find satisfaction in God's promises rather than in temporary achievements.Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 6

How can young people stay on the right path?

In Ecclesiastes 7:16, being 'overly righteous' is discouraged--doesn't this conflict with biblical commands to live righteously (e.g., Matthew 6:33)?

If 2 Timothy 4:6 suggests Paul's imminent death, how do we reconcile this with later traditions claiming he continued his ministry longer?

Ecclesiastes 7:20 claims no one is righteous--how does this align with biblical figures like Noah and Job who are described as righteous?Verses 7-9. - Section 10. Desire is insatiable; men are always striving after enjoyment, but they never gain their wish completely - which fortifies the old conclusion that man's happiness is not in his own power. Verse 7. - All the labor of man is for his mouth; i.e. for self-preservation and enjoyment, eating and drinking being taken as a type of the proper use of earthly blessings (comp; Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 3:13, etc.; Psalm 128:2). The sentiment is general, and does not refer specially to the particular person described above, though it carries on the idea of the unsatisfactory result of wealth. Luther translates strangely and erroneously, "To every man is work allotted according to his measure. Such an idea is entirely foreign to the context. And yet the appetite is not filled. The word rendered "appetite" is nephesh, "soul," and Zockler contends that "' mouth 'and 'soul' stand in contrast to each other as representatives of the purely sensual and therefore transitory enjoyment (comp. Job 12:11; Proverbs 16:26) as compared with the deeper, more spiritual, and therefore more lasting kind of joy." But no such contrast is intended; the writer would never have uttered such a truism as that deep, spiritual joy is not to be obtained by sensual pleasure; and, as Delitzsch points out, in some passages (e.g., Proverbs 16:26; Isaiah 5:14; Isaiah 29:8) "mouth" in one sentence corresponds to "soul" in another. The soul is considered as the seat of the appetitive faculty - emotions, desires, etc. This is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:8) with what it has, but is always craving for more. So Horace affirms that a man rightly obtains the appellation of king, "avidum domando spiritum," by subduing his spirit's cravings ('Carm.,' 2:2. 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


All
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

a man’s
הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

labor
עֲמַ֥ל (‘ă·mal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind

[is] for his mouth,
לְפִ֑יהוּ (lə·p̄î·hū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

yet
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

his appetite
הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ (han·ne·p̄eš)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

is never
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

satisfied.
תִמָּלֵֽא׃ (ṯim·mā·lê)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4390: To fill, be full of


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labor of man (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)