Ecclesiastes 6 in the early church
19 passages quote, allude to, or echo Ecclesiastes 6, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 9 · 10 · 11
Ecclesiastes 6:1
There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:1 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
Ecclesiastes 6:2
God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:2 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 6:2 | Apostolic Constitutions 4.4.2 · Anonymous | allusion, low confidence | ca. 380 |
| Eccl 6:2 | Apostolic Constitutions 4.4.4 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Ecclesiastes 6:3
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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:3 | Homilies on Numbers 7.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eccl 6:3 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 6:3 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 37 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
| Eccl 6:3 | On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 383-390 |
Ecclesiastes 6:4
For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:4 | Homilies on Numbers 7.3 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
| Eccl 6:4 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 6:4 | Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 37 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century) |
Ecclesiastes 6:5
The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:5 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 6:5 | On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 383-390 |
Ecclesiastes 6:6
even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:6 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
| Eccl 6:6 | On the Complaints of Job and David 2.15 · Ambrose | allusion, high confidence | ca. 383-390 |
Ecclesiastes 6:7
All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:7 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:9 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatever exists was named long ago, and it is known what man is; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:10 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |
Ecclesiastes 6:11
For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eccl 6:11 | Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes 6 · Gregory Thaumaturgus | allusion, high confidence | 3rd century |