What does Ecclesiastes 6:1 mean?
"There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:" - Ecclesiastes 6:1
Ecclesiastes 6:1 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:"
Ecclesiastes 6:1 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men."
The book of Ecclesiastes, attributed to King Solomon, is a collection of reflections on the meaning of life and the pursuit of wisdom. In this particular verse, the speaker observes an evil that is widespread among humanity. The phrase "under the sun" is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes, indicating the concerns and experiences of mortal life on earth.
The evil that is being referred to in this verse can be understood in a variety of ways. It could be interpreted as the prevalence of sin and moral corruption in the world. Throughout Ecclesiastes, the author grapples with the existence of evil and the suffering it causes, ultimately questioning the fairness and purpose of life. This verse serves as a reflection on the universal nature of human frailty and the tendency towards moral failings.
The phrase "common among men" underscores the idea that this evil is not limited to a specific group or individual, but rather affects all people. This observation speaks to the universality of human sin and the fallen nature of humanity. It reflects the biblical understanding of the inherent sinful nature of mankind, as articulated in passages such as Romans 3:23, which states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
The book of Ecclesiastes as a whole is characterized by its exploration of the complexities and contradictions of life. It grapples with existential questions, the pursuit of pleasure and wealth, and the inevitability of death. The presence of evil in the world is one of the central themes in this philosophical reflection on the human experience, and this verse serves as a poignant reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and moral failing.
In a broader context, Ecclesiastes 6:1 can also be seen as a reflection on the limitations of human existence. The phrase "under the sun" suggests a perspective that is confined to earthly realities, devoid of transcendent meaning or purpose. This verse reflects the author's disillusionment with the pursuit of worldly pleasures and the emptiness of human endeavors apart from God. Throughout Ecclesiastes, there is a recurring emphasis on the fleeting nature of human life and the futility of human efforts apart from a relationship with the divine.
Symbolically, the "evil" mentioned in this verse can be seen as a representation of the brokenness and fallen state of the world. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of human sin and the need for redemption. The acknowledgment of this evil underlines the author's recognition of the brokenness of the world and the universal need for restoration and healing.
In conclusion, Ecclesiastes 6:1 in the King James Version of the Bible offers a profound reflection on the pervasive nature of evil and the universal human condition. It serves as a reminder of the fallen state of humanity and the need for redemption. This verse is emblematic of the themes of the book of Ecclesiastes, which delves into the complexities of human existence and the pursuit of meaning and wisdom. It is an invitation to reflect on the limitations of human efforts and the ultimate need for a transcendent source of hope and purpose.
Ecclesiastes 6:1 Artwork
Ecclesiastes 6:1 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:"
Ecclesiastes 6:11 - "¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?"
Ecclesiastes 1:6 - "The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits."
Ecclesiastes 10:6 - "Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place."
Ecclesiastes 6:7 - "All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled."
Ecclesiastes 1:1 - "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem."
Ecclesiastes 7:6 - "For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 3:6 - "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;"
Ecclesiastes 4:6 - "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."
Ecclesiastes 6:4 - "For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness."
Ecclesiastes 6:9 - "¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit."
Ecclesiastes 2:6 - "I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:"
Ecclesiastes 6:6 - "¶ Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?"
Ecclesiastes 8:6 - "¶ Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him."
Ecclesiastes 1:12 - "¶ I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem."
Ecclesiastes 12:6 - "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."
Ecclesiastes 6:8 - "For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?"
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." r
Ecclesiastes 6:5 - "Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other."
Ecclesiastes 1:2 - "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"
Ecclesiastes 6:10 - "That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he."
Ecclesiastes 1:18 - "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Ecclesiastes 1:15 - "That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered."
Ecclesiastes 9:6 - "Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1:4 - "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever."
Ecclesiastes 11:1 - "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
Ecclesiastes 1:5 - "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
Ecclesiastes 11:6 - "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."