Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
†*For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shal be after him vnder the sunne?
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. the number of the dayes of the life of his vanitie.
- *Cross-referencePsal. 144.4.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
5 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 12
- James 4:14Rank 1 from verse 12
14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
14Whereas yee know not what shalbe on the morow: *for what is your life? ‖It is euen a vapour that appeareth for a litle time, and then vanisheth away.
- Ecclesiastes 3:22Rank 3 from verse 12
22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
22*Wherefore I perceiue that there is nothing better, then that a man should reioyce in his owne workes: for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?
- Lamentations 3:24–27Rank 4 from verse 12
24The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
27It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
24*The LORD is my portion, sayth my soule, therefore will I hope in him.
25The LORD is good vnto them that waite for him, to the soule that seeketh him.
26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the saluation of the LORD.
27 It is good for a man that he beare the yoke in his youth.
- Psalms 144:4Rank 5 from verse 12
- Psalms 39:5–6Rank 6 from verse 12
5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
5†*Behold, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily euery man at his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.
6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
- 1 Chronicles 29:15Rank 7 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 8:13Rank 8 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 8:7Rank 9 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 12:13Rank 11 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 2:3Rank 12 from verse 12
3I 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 was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
3*††I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder the heauen all the dayes of their life.
- Ecclesiastes 9:6Rank 13 from verse 12
6Also 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.
6Also their loue, and their hatred, and their enuy is now perished; neither haue they any more a portion for euer in any thing that is done vnder the Sunne.
- Psalms 102:11Rank 15 from verse 12
- Psalms 109:23Rank 16 from verse 12
- Psalms 17:15Rank 17 from verse 12
- Psalms 4:6Rank 18 from verse 12
- Psalms 90:10–12Rank 19 from verse 12
10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
10†The dayes of our yeres are threescore yeeres and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourescore yeeres, yet is their strength labour and sorrow: for it is soone cut off, and we flie away.
11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? euen according to thy feare, so is thy wrath.
12†So teach vs to number our daies: that wee may apply our hearts vnto wisedome.
8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
8*†Hee hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doeth the LORD require of thee, but to do iustly, and to loue mercy, and to walke humbly with thy God?
- Psalms 16:5Rank 21 from verse 12
- Psalms 47:4Rank 22 from verse 12
- Psalms 89:47Rank 23 from verse 12
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 6:12
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The state of living; the period or manner of one's existence.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of spend. Sense 1: To use, expend, consume, or give out. Sense 2: To pass time or life in a stated manner.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A darkened shape or shade cast by intercepted light. 2. Shelter or protection. 3. A fleeting trace or likeness. 4. A preliminary outline, type, or representation of a fuller reality.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. To speak, relate, declare, report, inform, explain, reveal, recount, or make known. 2. To know, discern, or determine, especially in 'cannot tell' or 'who can tell.' 3. To count, number, or enumerate.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
11¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
11¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanitie, what is man the better?
12For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
12†*For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shal be after him vnder the sunne?
Selected passage