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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 6:4 For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/21_Ecc_06_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 6:4 - The Futility of Life" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 6:3">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 6:4 <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-5.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 6:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />His birth would have been meaningless, and he would have ended in darkness. He wouldn’t even have had a name,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />for <i>a miscarriage</i> comes in futility and goes into darkness; and its name is covered in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />for <i>that</i> one comes in vanity and goes into darkness; and <i>that</i> one’s name is covered in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />for the miscarriage comes in futility (in vain) and passes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A stillborn baby arrives in a pointless birth and goes out into the darkness. The darkness then hides its name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />It does that baby no good to be born; it disappears into darkness, where it is forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For he cometh with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For in vanity he came in, and in darkness he goes, and in darkness his name is covered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For in vanity he came in, and in darkness he goeth, and in darkness his name is covered,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For in vanity he came, and in darkness he will go away, and his name shall be covered with darkness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For he came in vain, and goeth to darkness, and his name shall be wholly forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For he arrives without a purpose and he continues on into darkness, and his name shall be wiped away, into oblivion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Though it came in vain and goes into darkness and its name is enveloped in darkness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For he comes in with vanity, and shall go into darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because he came in futility and in darkness he will go, and in darkness his name will be hidden<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For he came in vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered in darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=1073" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">The Futility of Life</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>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. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">a stillborn child enters</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: ḇa·he·ḇel (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">in futility</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">and departs</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">in darkness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">and his name</a> <a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: yə·ḵus·seh (V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">is shrouded</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ (Conj-w, Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">in obscurity.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/3-16.htm">Job 3:16</a></span><br />Or why was I not hidden like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees daylight?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Psalm 58:8</a></span><br />Like a slug that dissolves in its slime, like a woman’s stillborn child, may they never see the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a></span><br />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<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5-6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/38-12.htm">Isaiah 38:12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-2.htm">Job 14:2</a></span><br />Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/8-9.htm">Job 8:9</a></span><br />For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a></span><br />My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Matthew 6:30</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a></span><br />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?’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For he comes in with vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.</p><p class="hdg">his name</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-13.htm">Psalm 109:13</a></b></br> Let his posterity be cut off; <i>and</i> in the generation following let their name be blotted out.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-16.htm">Departeth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Departs</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Futility</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/job/7-16.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/job/28-3.htm">Obscurity</a> <a href="/job/19-8.htm">Shrouded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/5-14.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-8.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-10.htm">Departeth</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-15.htm">Departs</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Futility</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-6.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Obscurity</a> <a href="/job/19-8.htm">Shrouded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-1.htm">the vanity of riches without use</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm">though a man have many children and a long life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-7.htm">the vanity of sight and wandering desires</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">The conclusion of vanities</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For a stillborn child enters in futility</b><br>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.<p><b>and departs in darkness</b><br>The imagery of darkness here conveys a sense of obscurity and the unknown. In the ancient Near Eastern context, darkness often symbolized death, ignorance, or the absence of God's presence. The stillborn child, having never seen the light of day, departs in darkness, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the lack of fulfillment or understanding in life. This reflects the broader existential questions posed in Ecclesiastes about the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The darkness also contrasts with the biblical theme of light as life and truth, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a>, where light represents the life and revelation brought by Christ.<p><b>and his name is shrouded in obscurity</b><br>In biblical culture, a name held significant importance, often reflecting one's identity, character, or destiny. The absence of a name for the stillborn child signifies a lack of identity and remembrance, emphasizing the theme of obscurity. This can be seen as a commentary on the human desire for legacy and remembrance, which Ecclesiastes suggests is ultimately futile. The obscurity of the name parallels the preacher's observations about the fleeting nature of fame and human achievement. In contrast, the Bible often highlights the eternal significance of names written in the Book of Life, as seen in <a href="/revelation/3-5.htm">Revelation 3:5</a>, where believers are promised that their names will never be blotted out. This contrast underscores the transient nature of earthly recognition compared to the eternal recognition by God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- 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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- 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.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_unborn_child.htm">The Unborn Child</a></b><br>- The verse metaphorically refers to an unborn child, symbolizing a life that never sees the light of day, representing futility and obscurity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_life_without_god.htm">The Futility of Life Without God</a></b><br>Ecclesiastes often highlights the vanity of life when lived apart from God. This verse underscores the emptiness of existence without divine purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_human_mortality.htm">The Reality of Human Mortality</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_naming_and_legacy.htm">The Importance of Naming and Legacy</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_life_and_light.htm">The Value of Life and Light</a></b><br>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.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Contentment in God’s Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognizing the futility of earthly pursuits should lead believers to find contentment in God’s sovereignty and His eternal plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_4_5-6_align_with_proverbs.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:5-6 appears to favor quietness over hard work--how is this consistent with scriptures that commend diligence (e.g., Proverbs 6:6-8)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'a_thousand_years_twice'_literal.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:6 - Is the mention of living 'a thousand years twice' literal, and how does it align with known human lifespans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ecclesiastes_2_17_with_hope.htm">How do we reconcile the author's conclusion of meaninglessness in Ecclesiastes 2:17 with other scriptural passages that promise hope and purpose?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_mandylion_of_edessa_important.htm">What does 'chasing the wind' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">He.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">it--</span>viz., the untimely birth.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For he cometh in with vanity</span>; rather, <span class="accented">for it came into nothingness</span>. 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. <span class="cmt_word">And departeth in darkness</span>; and <span class="accented">goeth into the darkness</span>. It is taken away and put out of sight. <span class="cmt_word">And his</span> (<span class="accented">its</span>) <span class="cmt_word">name shall be covered with darkness.</span> It is a nameless thing, unrecorded, unremembered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he enters</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(bā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in futility</span><br /><span class="heb">בַהֶ֥בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and departs</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵלֵ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in darkness,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַחֹ֣שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his name</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמ֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is shrouded</span><br /><span class="heb">יְכֻסֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḵus·seh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plump, fill up hollows, to cover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in obscurity.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבַחֹ֖שֶׁךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇa·ḥō·šeḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> </span><span class="str2">The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 6:4 For it comes in vanity and departs (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 6:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 6:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 6:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 6:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>