King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 6:1 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 6:1 in the King James Version says “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:”

Ecclesiastes 6:1 · KJV

Context

1

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

2

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun (רָעָה אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ, ra'ah asher ra'iti tachat hashemesh)—the Preacher introduces another troubling observation in his comprehensive investigation of life 'under the sun.' The Hebrew ra'ah denotes not moral evil but calamity, misfortune, or oppressive hardship. And it is common among men (רַבָּה הִיא עַל־הָאָדָם, rabbah hi al-ha'adam)—literally 'heavy it is upon mankind,' indicating this evil weighs heavily and affects many.

This opening formula (similar to 5:13) signals Qoheleth's empirical methodology: he observes, analyzes, and reports disturbing patterns in fallen creation. The verse prepares readers for an examination of wealth's peculiar torment—when God grants riches but withholds the capacity to enjoy them (6:2). This anticipates Jesus's parable of the rich fool who accumulated wealth but died before enjoying it (Luke 12:16-21) and James's warning to rich oppressors (James 5:1-6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient societies exhibited extreme wealth disparities. Solomon's era saw unprecedented prosperity for Israel's elite (1 Kings 10:14-29) while many remained poor. The Preacher's observation that wealth without enjoyment constitutes a 'common' evil suggests this pattern appeared frequently—then as now, accumulation doesn't guarantee satisfaction. The covenantal framework of Deuteronomy promised blessings including the ability to enjoy wealth as God's gift (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), making the inability to enjoy provision particularly grievous—it suggests divine discipline or curse rather than blessing. Post-exilic readers, having lost material prosperity in exile, found this verse validating: better to have little with God's blessing than riches without His favor.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'common evils' do you observe in contemporary culture where people possess material abundance yet lack genuine satisfaction or joy?
  2. How does this verse challenge the assumption that acquiring wealth solves life's problems or guarantees happiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
יֵ֣שׁ1 of 10

“There is”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

רָעָ֔ה2 of 10

“an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר3 of 10
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

רָאִ֖יתִי4 of 10

“which I have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

תַּ֣חַת5 of 10
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ6 of 10

“under the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

וְרַבָּ֥ה7 of 10

“and it is common”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

הִ֖יא8 of 10
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עַל9 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָדָֽם׃10 of 10

“among men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 6:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 6:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 5:13

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