Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. New Living Translation His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness. He wouldn’t even have had a name, English Standard Version For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. Berean Standard Bible For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity. King James Bible For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. New King James Version for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. New American Standard Bible for a miscarriage comes in futility and goes into darkness; and its name is covered in darkness. NASB 1995 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. NASB 1977 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. Legacy Standard Bible for that one comes in vanity and goes into darkness; and that one’s name is covered in darkness. Amplified Bible for the miscarriage comes in futility (in vain) and passes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. Christian Standard Bible For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. Holman Christian Standard Bible For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. American Standard Version for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; English Revised Version for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; GOD'S WORD® Translation A stillborn baby arrives in a pointless birth and goes out into the darkness. The darkness then hides its name. Good News Translation It does that baby no good to be born; it disappears into darkness, where it is forgotten. International Standard Version because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. Majority Standard Bible For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity. NET Bible Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, New Heart English Bible for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Webster's Bible Translation For he cometh with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. World English Bible for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor in vanity he came in, and in darkness he goes, and in darkness his name is covered, Young's Literal Translation For in vanity he came in, and in darkness he goeth, and in darkness his name is covered, Smith's Literal Translation For in vanity he came, and in darkness he will go away, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor he came in vain, and goeth to darkness, and his name shall be wholly forgotten. Catholic Public Domain Version For he arrives without a purpose and he continues on into darkness, and his name shall be wiped away, into oblivion. New American Bible Though it came in vain and goes into darkness and its name is enveloped in darkness, New Revised Standard Version For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor he comes in with vanity, and shall go into darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because he came in futility and in darkness he will go, and in darkness his name will be hidden OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; Brenton Septuagint Translation For he came in vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered in darkness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Life…3A 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. 5The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,… Cross References Job 3:16 Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight? Psalm 58:8 Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun. Psalm 39:5 You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah Psalm 90:5-6 You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers. Isaiah 38:12 My dwelling has been picked up and removed from me like a shepherd’s tent. I have rolled up my life like a weaver; He cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You make an end of me. Job 14:2 Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. 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 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Isaiah 40:6-7 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. Job 8:9 For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow. Psalm 102:11 My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass. Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more. Matthew 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Luke 12:20 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?’ Treasury of Scripture For he comes in with vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. his name Psalm 109:13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. Jump to Previous Covered Dark Darkness Departeth Departs Futility Goes Meaning Obscurity Shrouded Thereof Vanity WindJump to Next Covered Dark Darkness Departeth Departs Futility Goes Meaning Obscurity Shrouded Thereof Vanity WindEcclesiastes 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 For a stillborn child enters in futility This phrase highlights the theme of futility or vanity, a central concept in Ecclesiastes. The stillborn child symbolizes the ultimate expression of life's fleeting nature. In biblical times, a stillborn child was seen as a profound tragedy, reflecting the unpredictability and often harsh realities of life. The use of "futility" connects to the Hebrew word "hevel," often translated as "vanity" or "meaninglessness," which appears frequently throughout Ecclesiastes. This word suggests a vapor or breath, emphasizing the transient and elusive nature of human endeavors. The comparison to a stillborn child underscores the preacher's view that life, without understanding or purpose, can seem as futile as a life that never fully begins. and departs in darkness and his name is shrouded in obscurity Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him. 2. Israel - The nation to which Solomon belonged and over which he reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel is crucial for understanding the themes of Ecclesiastes. 3. The Unborn Child - The verse metaphorically refers to an unborn child, symbolizing a life that never sees the light of day, representing futility and obscurity. Teaching Points The Futility of Life Without GodEcclesiastes often highlights the vanity of life when lived apart from God. This verse underscores the emptiness of existence without divine purpose. The Reality of Human Mortality The imagery of arriving in futility and departing in darkness serves as a reminder of human mortality and the importance of living with an eternal perspective. The Importance of Naming and Legacy The obscurity of the name in this verse points to the significance of leaving a legacy that honors God, as opposed to one that fades into obscurity. The Value of Life and Light The contrast between darkness and light in this passage can be seen as a call to seek the light of Christ, who brings meaning and purpose to life. Contentment in God’s Sovereignty Recognizing the futility of earthly pursuits should lead believers to find contentment in God’s sovereignty and His eternal plan.(4) He.--Rather, it--viz., the untimely birth.Verse 4. - For he cometh in with vanity; rather, for it came into nothingness. The reference is to the fetus, or still-born child, not to the rich man, as is implied by the Authorized Version. This, when it appeared, had no independent life or being, was a mere nothing. And departeth in darkness; and goeth into the darkness. It is taken away and put out of sight. And his (its) name shall be covered with darkness. It is a nameless thing, unrecorded, unremembered. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he enters בָּ֖א (bā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go in futility בַהֶ֥בֶל (ḇa·he·ḇel) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory and departs יֵלֵ֑ךְ (yê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in darkness, וּבַחֹ֣שֶׁךְ (ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness and his name שְׁמ֥וֹ (šə·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8034: A name is shrouded יְכֻסֶּֽה׃ (yə·ḵus·seh) Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover in obscurity. וּבַחֹ֖שֶׁךְ (ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness Links Ecclesiastes 6:4 NIVEcclesiastes 6:4 NLT Ecclesiastes 6:4 ESV Ecclesiastes 6:4 NASB Ecclesiastes 6:4 KJV Ecclesiastes 6:4 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 6:4 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 6:4 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 6:4 French Bible Ecclesiastes 6:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 6:4 For it comes in vanity and departs (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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