Ecclesiastes 6 8

Ecclesiastes 6:8 kjv

For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 nkjv

For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 niv

What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 esv

For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 nlt

So are wise people really better off than fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others?

Ecclesiastes 6 verses

Ecclesiastes 6 8 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 6:8 asserts that in the practical realities of life, there is often no tangible advantage for a wise person over a fool, especially when it comes to the fundamental human need for sustenance. Both the learned and the unlearned, the privileged and the struggling, are subject to the same basic necessity of feeding themselves. Even a poor person who has practical shrewdness in navigating society for survival finds himself in the same daily struggle, highlighting that neither intellect nor street smarts intrinsically exempt one from the common toil for existence.

Ecclesiastes 6 8 Context

Ecclesiastes 6:8 is situated within Qoheleth's larger exploration of the "vanity" (Hebrew: hevel) of life "under the sun." Chapters 5 and 6 specifically address the inability of wealth and prosperity to bring lasting satisfaction or meaning. Qoheleth has observed the futility of human toil, the dissatisfaction that often accompanies great possessions, and the brevity of life. This verse encapsulates the leveling effect of human needs: no matter one's intellectual capacity or social standing, the fundamental struggle for daily sustenance remains constant. It serves to highlight the limitations of wisdom in practical provision, aligning with Qoheleth's theme that life's benefits are often distributed seemingly at random, making the outcomes of striving unpredictable and ultimately unsatisfying.

Ecclesiastes 6 8 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - ki): Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement, grounding the argument in a fundamental reality.
• what advantage (מַה-יִּתְרוֹן - mah-yitron): Yitron signifies "profit," "advantage," or "gain." This is a key theme throughout Ecclesiastes (Ecc 1:3, 2:11, etc.), questioning the true benefit of human endeavors. Here, it questions what ultimate, lasting advantage wisdom provides regarding basic needs.
• has the wise (לֶחָכָם - lekhakham): Refers to a "wise person." In biblical wisdom literature, chakham denotes someone possessing practical knowledge, skill, and moral understanding. Qoheleth examines if this esteemed quality truly delivers a distinct advantage over folly.
• man (הָאָדָם - ha'adam): "The man" or "humanity," generic term, indicating a universal truth.
• over the fool (מִן־הַכְּסִיל - min-hakesil): Kesil is "the fool," typically one who lacks prudence, insight, and lives carelessly. The comparison highlights that the chakham and kesil share common vulnerabilities despite their differences.
• and (וּמַה - umah): Connects the two comparative clauses, emphasizing the parallelism.
• the poor (לֶעָנִי - le'ani): Refers to someone in humble circumstances, lacking wealth.
• who knows (יוֹדֵעַ - yodea): "Knows" in a practical, experiential sense; understanding how to manage or operate.
• how to walk (לְהַלֵּךְ - lehallelkh): Literally "to walk," but idiomatically signifies conduct, behavior, or navigating life's situations.
• before the living (נֶגֶד הַחַיִּים - neged hakhayyim): This phrase is multifaceted:
  • It can mean "in the presence of the living," implying the poor person's skill in navigating society, particularly among powerful or prosperous individuals, to secure necessities.
  • It might also refer to living cleverly "in the face of life's struggles," having the practical savvy to survive day-to-day.
  • Some interpret "before the living" as "before God," implying a poor person who lives righteously or observes spiritual principles. Given Qoheleth's generally pragmatic perspective, the first two interpretations are more common, pointing to a street-smart individual.
• Word-group analysis:
  • What advantage has the wise man over the fool: This recurring question in Ecclesiastes posits the fundamental dilemma of human endeavor. It critiques the conventional wisdom of the time which held that wisdom guaranteed success and superiority. Qoheleth suggests that when it comes to basic sustenance, this distinction diminishes.
  • and the poor who knows how to walk before the living: This phrase describes someone who, despite poverty, possesses practical shrewdness or "street smarts." This individual is capable of navigating social interactions or circumstances effectively to survive. The juxtaposition of the wise and this practically savvy poor person highlights that neither intellectual prowess nor pragmatic skill ultimately overcomes the fundamental, common struggle for sustenance. The ultimate "profit" is elusive for all.

Ecclesiastes 6 8 Bonus section

The tone of Ecclesiastes, often perceived as pessimistic, is better understood as a raw realism regarding human experience apart from a God-centered view, or at least a full understanding of God's overarching purposes. This verse specifically contributes to that realism by stripping away illusions of human control or innate advantage. It serves as a precursor to Qoheleth's eventual, albeit sometimes elusive, conclusion about the importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments, implying that ultimate meaning and advantage do not come from worldly achievements or intellectual prowess but from one's relationship with the Creator. The lack of a yitron (profit) for the wise highlights the equality of humanity in the face of their most basic desires and limitations, subtly preparing the reader to look for profit in a realm beyond what is "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 6 8 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 6:8 is a poignant observation by Qoheleth, cutting to the heart of human existential struggles. It disarms the assumption that intellectual superiority (wisdom) grants one a privileged existence, particularly concerning basic needs. The verse challenges the idea that wisdom offers any unique 'profit' over folly or even practical savvy. Whether one is the most learned or the most unsophisticated, the stomach demands to be fed, and the efforts to meet that need are fundamentally similar. Even the shrewd poor person who navigates society skillfully to survive finds himself on the same level as the wise concerning the fundamental challenge of existence. This stark reality underpins Qoheleth's larger argument: much of life 'under the sun' is hevel—futile, fleeting, vapor-like—where perceived advantages often evaporate in the face of universal human vulnerabilities and the relentless pursuit of daily bread. It subtly argues that true advantage must lie beyond these temporal concerns.