NASB Lexicon
KJV Lexicon Bettertowb (tobe) good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun is the sight mar'eh (mar-eh') a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a vision of the eyes `ayin (ah'-yin) an eye; by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) than the wandering halak (haw-lak') to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) of the desire nephesh (neh'-fesh) a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental) this is also vanity hebel (heh'bel) emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb -- altogether, vain, vanity. and vexation r`uwth (reh-ooth') a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after -- vexation. of spirit ruwach (roo'-akh) wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being Parallel Verses New American Standard Bible What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind. King James Bible Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Holman Christian Standard Bible Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. International Standard Version It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind. NET Bible It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile--like chasing the wind. GOD'S WORD® Translation It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. [It's like] trying to catch the wind. King James 2000 Bible Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and grasping after the wind. Links Ecclesiastes 6:9Ecclesiastes 6:9 NIV Ecclesiastes 6:9 NLT Ecclesiastes 6:9 ESV Ecclesiastes 6:9 NASB Ecclesiastes 6:9 KJV |
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