6:1 Here is another misfortune The Hebrew word ra’ah can refer to misfortune or disaster, as well as to something that is morally evil. See note on 2:21.

under the sun Refers to all life on the earth.

6:2 does not enable him to enjoy it Like the situation described in 5:19, God has given this person wealth and possessions—even honor. However, the person lacks the ability to enjoy these gifts, rendering them useless.

someone else Perhaps due to a financial loss (5:14) or because they have been left to someone else (2:21).

6:3 a hundred children Numerous children were considered to be a blessing. See Psa 127:3 and note.

is not satisfied with his prosperity Wealth, long life, and posterity do not guarantee satisfaction in life.

he does not receive a proper burial Receiving a proper burial was important in the ot. See note on Eccles 8:10.

stillborn The author repeats that it would be better to have not been born. In 4:3, this claim is related to the prevalence of oppression in life. Here, it references the inability to enjoy wealth and prosperity.

6:6 both suffer the same fate Death is the final equalizer. See note on Eccles 2:15; see note on 3:20.

6:7 his appetite is never satisfied Laboring for things to consume and to accumulate wealth are portrayed as unsatisfying throughout Ecclesiastes (e.g., 5:10–12, 17; 4:7–8; 6:2).

6:8 wise really have an advantage over fools The author does not claim that wisdom is equal to folly; he has already established that wisdom is superior to folly. Since both wisdom and folly end in death, the wise have no advantage over fools (2:12–17).

6:9 for your soul to constantly crave more The word nephesh can mean “soul” or “life” as well as “throat” or “appetite.” Here, it is best seen in parallel with “sight of the eyes” and should be understood as “throat” or “appetite.”

Old Testament Anthropology

is vanity and chasing wind See 1:2 and note; 2:17 and note.

6:10 he cannot argue against A statement contrasting God’s supremacy with humanity’s limitation. God has already set an appropriate time for everything; people cannot change His timing (3:11–14).

6:11 Increasing words only multiplies futility Since human wisdom is limited, the more words are spoken, the more senseless they are in trying to understand the work of God (3:11; 8:17). This epilogue echoes this in stating there is no end to wearisome study. The term hevel (“vanity”) indicates senselessness or absurdity.

6:12 as a shadow A common expression used to illustrate the brevity of life (Job 8:9; 14:2; Pss 102:11; 109:23; 144:4).