Ecclesiastes 6:12
BSB · Public Domain (CC0)“For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?”
A short, plain-language explanation of Ecclesiastes 6:12 goes here — the kind of answer a reader (or an AI assistant) can quote in one breath. Original meaning coming soon.
“For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?”
Berean Standard Bible · Public Domain (CC0)“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?”
King James Version · Public Domain“For who knoweth what is good for man in his 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?”
American Standard Version · Public Domain“For who knoweth what <FI>is<Fi> good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?”
Young's Literal Translation · Public DomainOther passages that echo Ecclesiastes 6:12 — 23 related verses from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 29:15For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
- Job 8:9For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.
- Job 14:2Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
- Job 14:21If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.
- Psalms 4:6Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
- Psalms 16:5The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.
- Psalms 17:15As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence.
- Psalms 39:5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah
- Psalms 47:4He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah
- Psalms 89:47Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!
- Psalms 90:10The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
- Psalms 102:11My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.
- Psalms 109:23I am fading away like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.
- Psalms 144:4Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
- Ecclesiastes 3:22I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?
- Ecclesiastes 8:7Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?
- Ecclesiastes 8:13Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
- Ecclesiastes 9:6Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
- Lamentations 3:24“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
- Micah 6:8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
- James 4:14You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Cross-reference data: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain) via OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0).