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.
If a man has a hundred children and lives for many years, but his soul is never satisfied with good things, and he doesn't even get a proper burial when he dies, I say that a baby who dies before birth is better off than he is.
The writer is saying that a life filled with emptiness and dissatisfaction is worse than no life at all, even if that person has many children and lives a long time.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to King Solomon, written during a time of material wealth and stability in ancient Israel, likely reflecting on the excesses of the monarchy period. It explores the futility of human endeavors when pursued without regard for God's purpose, emphasizing that earthly successes are meaningless if they don't bring true satisfaction. In this verse, the author highlights the cultural importance of family legacy and proper burial in ancient Near Eastern societies, where a dignified death was seen as essential for honor and remembrance.
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