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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 6:11 For the more words, the more futility--and how does that profit anyone?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_06_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 6:11 - The Futility of Life" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For the more words, the more futility--and how does that profit anyone?" /><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/6-11.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/6-11.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 11</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="/ad11.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/6-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 6:10">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 6:11 <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 6:12">►</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 />The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what <i>is</i> man the better?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Since there are many things that increase vanity, How <i>is</i> man the better?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For there are many words which increase futility. What <i>then</i> is the advantage to a person?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For there are many words which increase futility. What <i>then</i> is the advantage to a man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For there are many words which increase vanity. What <i>then</i> is the advantage to a man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The more we talk, the less sense we make, so what good does it do to talk? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The more words there are, the more pointless they become. What advantage do mortals gain from this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The longer you argue, the more useless it is, and you are no better off. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?<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 the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For there are many things multiplying vanity; What advantage [is] to man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For there are many things multiplying vanity; what advantage is to man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For there is many words increasing vanity, what shall remain to man?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There are many words that have much vanity in disputing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />There are many words, and many of these, in disputes, hold much emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For the more words, the more vanity; what profit is there for anyone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The more words, the more vanity, so how is one the better?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what advantage has man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because there are many matters that increase futility. What profit does a son of man have?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For there are many things which increase vanity. What advantage has a man?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/6-11.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=1140" 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">10</span>Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš- (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">the more</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇā·rîm (N-mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">words,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: mar·bîm (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">the more</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: hā·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">futility—</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and how</a> <a href="/hebrew/3148.htm" title="3148: yō·ṯêr (N-ms) -- Active participle of yathar; properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction.">does that profit</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: lā·’ā·ḏām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">anyone?</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?…<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="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a></span><br />When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a></span><br />And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-2.htm">Job 11:2</a></span><br />“Should this stream of words go unanswered and such a speaker be vindicated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a></span><br />Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a></span><br />Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a></span><br />The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-9.htm">Isaiah 55:9</a></span><br />“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19-20</a></span><br />For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">1 Timothy 6:20</a></span><br />O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/17-27.htm">Proverbs 17:27</a></span><br />A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-16.htm">2 Timothy 2:16</a></span><br />But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a></span><br />Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-6.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:6-9,17,18</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:3-11</a></b></br> I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what <i>was</i> that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:19</a></b></br> For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all <i>is</i> vanity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Advantaged</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Better</a> <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Create</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Futility</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-10.htm">Less</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-4.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Multiplying</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-9.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-7.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/luke/9-25.htm">Advantaged</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-1.htm">Better</a> <a href="/isaiah/4-5.htm">Create</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-6.htm">Futility</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Increase</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-3.htm">Increasing</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-15.htm">Less</a> <a href="/daniel/7-16.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-25.htm">Multiplying</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-11.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Profited</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-6.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-21.htm">Words</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 the more words, the more futility—</b><br>This phrase highlights the theme of vanity and meaninglessness that permeates the book of Ecclesiastes. The Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon, reflects on the limitations of human wisdom and the futility of excessive speech. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom literature often emphasized the value of concise and thoughtful speech. <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> echoes this sentiment: "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." The futility mentioned here aligns with the Hebrew word "hevel," often translated as "vanity" or "breath," suggesting something transient and insubstantial. This reflects the broader message of Ecclesiastes that human endeavors, apart from God, are ultimately futile.<p><b>and how does that profit anyone?</b><br>This rhetorical question underscores the practical nature of wisdom literature, which often seeks to guide behavior by considering the outcomes of actions. The term "profit" here can be understood in both material and spiritual senses. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher frequently questions what lasting benefit or gain can be derived from human toil and wisdom (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3</a>). This inquiry into profit is reminiscent of Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a>: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" The focus is on the eternal perspective, urging readers to consider the ultimate value of their words and actions in light of God's eternal purposes.<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 son of King David and known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes often explore the meaning and purpose of life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation to which Solomon belonged and ruled as king. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's reign provides a backdrop for understanding the themes of Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores philosophical and theological questions about life, purpose, and the human condition.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_excessive_words.htm">The Futility of Excessive Words</a></b><br>In a world filled with noise and chatter, Solomon reminds us that an abundance of words can lead to futility. We should strive for meaningful and purposeful communication.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_silence_and_reflection.htm">The Value of Silence and Reflection</a></b><br>Silence can be a powerful tool for reflection and understanding. In our spiritual journey, taking time to listen rather than speak can lead to greater wisdom and insight.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_intentional_speech.htm">The Importance of Intentional Speech</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to use our words wisely and intentionally. Our speech should edify, encourage, and reflect the love and truth of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_true_profit.htm">The Pursuit of True Profit</a></b><br>Solomon questions the profit of many words, prompting us to consider what truly benefits our lives. True profit is found in aligning our lives with God's will and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_hearts_and_minds.htm">Guarding Our Hearts and Minds</a></b><br>The futility of words can often stem from a heart not aligned with God. By guarding our hearts and minds, we can ensure that our words are a reflection of our faith and values.<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/what_defines_spiritual_emptiness.htm">What defines spiritual emptiness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_happens_if_you_abandon_faith.htm">What does it profit to gain the world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'all_is_vanity'_contradict_purpose.htm">In Ecclesiastes 12:8, does the statement 'all is vanity' contradict the idea of purpose found elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_eccl._6_9-12_contradict_hope_themes.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:9-12 - Do these verses' pessimistic tone and emphasis on life's vanity contradict the Bible's broader themes of hope and purpose?</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>(11) <span class= "bld">Things.</span>--We might also translate "words."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Seeing there be many things that increase vanity</span>. The noun rendered"things" (<span class="accented">dabar</span>) may equally mean "words;" and it is a question which signification is most appropriate here. The Septuagint has <span class="greek">λόγοι</span> <span class="greek">πολλοί</span>, "many words." So the Vulgate, <span class="accented">verba sunt plurima</span>. If we take the rendering of the Authorized Version, we must understand the passage to mean that the distractions of business, the cares of life, the constant disappointments, make men feel the hollowness and unsatisfactory nature of labor and wealth and earthly goods, and their absolute dependence upon Providence. But in view of the previous context, and especially of ver. 10, which speaks of contending (<span class="accented">din</span>) with God, it is most suitable to translate <span class="accented">debarim</span> "words," and to understand them of the expressions of impatience, doubt, and unbelief to which men give utterance when arraigning the acts or endeavoring to explain the decrees of God. Such profitless words only increase the perplexity in which men are involved. It is very possible that reference is here made to the discussions on the chief good, free-will, predestination, and the like subjects, which, as we know from Josephus, had begun to be mooted in Jewish schools, as they had long been rife in those of Greece. In these disputes Pharisees and Sadducees took opposite sides. The former maintained that some things, but not all, were the subject of fate (<span class="greek">τῆς εἱμαρμένης</span>), and that certain things were in our own power to do or not to do; that is, while they attribute all that happens to fate, or God's decree, they hold that man has the power of assent, supposing that God tempers all in such sort, that by his ordinance and man's will all things are performed, good or evil. The Sadducees eliminated fate altogether from human actions, and asserted that men are in all things governed, not by any external force, but by their own will alone; that their success and happiness depended upon themselves, and that ill fortune was the consequence of their own folly or stupidity. A third school, the Essenes, held that fate was supreme, and that nothing could happen to mankind beyond or in contravention of its decree ('Joseph. Ant.,' 13:5. 9; 18:1:3, 4; 'Bell. Jud.,' 2:08. 14). Such speculative discussions may have been in Koheleth's mind when he wrote this sentence. Whatever may be the difficulties of the position, we Christians know and feel that in matters of religion and morality we are absolutely free, have an unfettered choice, and that from this fact arises our responsibility. <span class="cmt_word">What is man the better?</span> What profit has man from such speculations or words of skepticism? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/6-11.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">כִּ֛י</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">the more</span><br /><span class="heb">הַרְבֵּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(har·bêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words,</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבָרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the more</span><br /><span class="heb">מַרְבִּ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(mar·bîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">futility—</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֑בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">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 how</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does that profit</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹּתֵ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ṯêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3148.htm">Strong's 3148: </a> </span><span class="str2">Superiority, advantage, excess</span><br /><br /><span class="word">anyone?</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-11.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 6:11 For there are many words that create (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 6:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 6:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 6:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 6:12" /></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>