Ecclesiastes 6:3
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

If a man beget an hundred children,.... Sons and daughters, a certain number for an uncertain. Some have had many children, and almost this number; Rehoboam had twenty eight sons and threescore daughters; and Ahab had seventy sons, how many daughters is not said, Ch2 11:21 ; this was reckoned a great honour and happiness to have many children; happy was the man that had

his quiver full of them, Psa 127:3 ; such a case is here supposed; and live many years, so that the days of his years be many; or "sufficient", as Jarchi interprets it; he lives as long as life is desirable; lives to a good old age, to the full age of men, threescore years and ten; yea, supposing he was to live to be as old as Methuselah, and his soul be not filled with good; does not enjoy the good things he has; has no pleasure nor satisfaction in the temporal good things of life, has not the comfort of them, and is always uneasy, because he has not more of them; and especially if his soul is not filled with spiritual good things, the grace of God, and righteousness of Christ; And also that he have no burial; as Jezebel, Jehoiakim, and others; who is either destroyed by robbers and cutthroats, for the sake of his substance, and cast into a ditch or a river, or some place, where he is never found to be interred; or else, being of such a sordid disposition, he provides not for a decent burial, suitably to his circumstances, or forbids one; or, being despised and disesteemed by all men, his heirs and successors either neglect or refuse to give him one; see Jer 22:29 ; I say that an untimely birth is better than he; an abortive is to be preferred unto him; it would have been better for him if he had never been born, or had been in such a case.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (24 words)

H0518 אִם
Definition:

see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf

Possible Meanings:
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • dam (semantic_range)
  • point of departure (semantic_range)
  • division (semantic_range)
H3205 יָלַד
Definition:

18(3 t. in verse) + 16 t.;יָלָ֑דJeremiah 17:11;וְיָלַדconsecutivePsalm 7:15; suffixיְלָֽדְךָDeuteronomy 32:18; 2masculine singular suffixילדתניJeremiah 2:27Kt; Qrיְלִדְתָּנוּ(Köi. 410Ges§ 70, 2. R. 4) 18(3 t. in verse) + 16 t.;יָלָ֑דJeremiah 17:11;וְיָלַדconsecutivePsalm 7:15; suffixיְלָֽדְךָDeuteronomy 32:18; 2masculine singular suffixילדתניJeremiah 2:27Kt; Qrיְלִדְתָּנוּ(Köi. 410Ges§ 70, 2. R. 4)

Possible Meanings:
  • child (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • boy (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
H0376 אִישׁ
Definition:

23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ 23+; constructGenesis 25:27+; suffixאִישִׁיGenesis 29:32+, etc.; pluralאִישִׁיםPsalm 141:42t. (Phoenicianאשם); usuallyאֲנָשִׁיםGenesis 12:20+, from √אנשׁq. v.; constructאַנְשֵׁיJudges 6:27+; suffixאֲנ

Possible Meanings:
  • man (semantic_range)
H3967 מֵאָה
Definition:

3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene 3144t.; constructמְאַתGenesis 5:330t. (onמְאַתEcclesiastes 8:12see2dbelow); plural absoluteמֵאוֺתGenesis 5:9324t. (מֵאֹתonlyGenesis 5:4,30);המאיותKt2 Kings 11:43t.2 Kings 11; dualמָאתַיִם(תָ֑יִם-)Gene

Possible Meanings:
  • hundred (semantic_range)
H8141 שָׁנֶה
Definition:

10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t., 10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t.,

Possible Meanings:
  • year (semantic_range)
H7227 רַב
Definition:

By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon

H2421 חָיָה
Definition:

A primitive root (comparechavah,chayah); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive -- keep (live, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish A primitive root (comparechavah,chayah); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive -- keep (live, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let, suffer to) live, nourish

Possible Meanings:
  • having the vigour of life (semantic_range)
  • lively (semantic_range)
H7227 רַב
Definition:

By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon By contracted fromrabab; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) -- (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, lon

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H3117 יוֹם
Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H8141 שָׁנֶה
Definition:

10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t., 10+; constructשְׁנַתGenesis 41:50+; suffixשְׁנָתוֺEzekiel 46:13+,שְׁנָתָהּLeviticus 14:102t.; dualשְׁנָתַיִםAmos 1:1+,תָ֑יִם-1 Kings 15:25+; pluralשָׁנִיםExodus 21:2+, constructשְׁנֵיGenesis 23:124t.,

Possible Meanings:
  • year (semantic_range)
H5315 נֶפֶשׁ
Definition:

6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias 6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias

Possible Meanings:
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H7646 שָׂבַע
Definition:

); —Qal79Perfect3masculine singularשָׂבַע1 Chronicles 23:1,׳וְשׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 31:20; 3pluralשָׂבֵ֑עוּIsaiah 9:19,׳ושׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 14:29;Deuteronomy 26:12, etc.;Imperfect3masculine s ); —Qal79Perfect3masculine singularשָׂבַע1 Chronicles 23:1,׳וְשׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 31:20; 3pluralשָׂבֵ֑עוּIsaiah 9:19,׳ושׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 14:29;Deuteronomy 26:12, etc.;Imperfect3masculine s

Possible Meanings:
  • seven (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H2896 טוֹב
Definition:

Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the

Possible Meanings:
  • good things (semantic_range)
  • goods (semantic_range)
  • goodness (semantic_range)
H1571 גַּם
Definition:

6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ 6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ

Possible Meanings:
  • moreover (semantic_range)
  • yea (semantic_range)
H6900 קְבוּרָה
Definition:

202t.; constructקְבוּרֵתJeremiah 22:19,קְבֻרַתGenesis 35:20+; suffixקְבֻרָתוֺDeuteronomy 34:6+; —1grave>Genesis 35:20(twice in verse);Genesis 47:30;Deuteronomy 34:6;1 Samuel 10:2;2 Kings 9:28;2 Kings 202t.; constructקְבוּרֵתJeremiah 22:19,קְבֻרַתGenesis 35:20+; suffixקְבֻרָתוֺDeuteronomy 34:6+; —1grave>Genesis 35:20(twice in verse);Genesis 47:30;Deuteronomy 34:6;1 Samuel 10:2;2 Kings 9:28;2 Kings

H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H2896 טוֹב
Definition:

Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the Fromtowb; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the

Possible Meanings:
  • good things (semantic_range)
  • goods (semantic_range)
  • goodness (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H5309 נֶפֶל
Definition:

16untimely birth, abortion; —נֵ֫פֶלabsoluteJob 3:16(Baer, Ginsb., > van d. H.נֶפֶל),נָ֑פֶלEcclesiastes 6:3; constructנֵפֶל אֵשֶׁתPsalm 58:9.Topical LexiconDefinition and Semantic RangeNe·f̱el denotes 16untimely birth, abortion; —נֵ֫פֶלabsoluteJob 3:16(Baer, Ginsb., > van d. H.נֶפֶל),נָ֑פֶלEcclesiastes 6:3; constructנֵפֶל אֵשֶׁתPsalm 58:9.Topical LexiconDefinition and Semantic RangeNe·f̱el denotes

Possible Meanings:
  • fall (semantic_range)

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