Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?
Parallel translations
- WEB For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
- KJV Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
- BSB For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
- NASB For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a person?
- NLT The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The more words, the more vanity, and what does that profit anyone? It matters because endless talk and argument add emptiness rather than gain.
Overview
The Preacher notes that multiplying words only increases futility, echoing his earlier warnings about speech (5:2-3,7). Words alone cannot master life's mysteries or secure real profit. This restrains human pretension and points toward the one Word that truly profits, the Word made flesh, in whom God has spoken decisively (Hebrews 1:1-2; John 1:14).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Eccl 4:16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was — yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- Eccl 5:7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
- Eccl 4:8There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
- Eccl 3:19For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
- Hos 12:1Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
- Eccl 4:1–4Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
- Eccl 1:17–18I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
- Eccl 2:3–11I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.
- Eccl 1:6–9The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
- Ps 73:6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
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Christ at the center
The search that finds everything 'under the sun' to be vapor exposes the emptiness of life without God and drives us to the one who alone gives meaning, the resurrection that makes our labor not in vain.
How Ecclesiastes 6:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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