Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

[10] That which hath been is named  already,  and it is known  that it is man:  neither may  he contend  than he. [11] Seeing there be  many  things  that increase  vanity,  what is man  the better?  [12] 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? 

What does Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, Solomon returned to his theme of the immutability and inscrutability of divine providence (i.e, why God allows things to happen as they do; cf. Ecclesiastes 1:15; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Ecclesiastes 3:22). "Named" ( Ecclesiastes 6:10) refers to the practice of expressing the nature of something by giving it an appropriate name. In the ancient world people recognized that the person who named someone or something was sovereign over it. Thus God "called" what he had created day, heaven, Prayer of Manasseh , etc.; and Adam named the woman, the animals, etc. Solomon"s point in Ecclesiastes 6:10 is that God has sovereignly decreed the nature and essence of everything that exists. Consequently it is foolish for man to argue with God about what He has foreordained ( Ecclesiastes 6:10 b). More arguing only results in more futility for man ( Ecclesiastes 6:11). Man does not know what is best for him or what his future holds completely ( Ecclesiastes 6:12). Solomon pointed out that we are ignorant of our place in God"s all-inclusive plan. Even though we have more revelation of God"s plans and purposes than Solomon did, we still are very ignorant of these things.
"The Latin saying Solvitur ambulando ("It is solved by walking") suggests that some problems are elucidated only as one goes forward in practical action (cf. Isaiah 30:21; as we go, the Lord guides)." [1]