Ecclesiastes 6:1 Meaning and Explanation
“There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Preacher introduces a sorrow he has witnessed firsthand, one that weighs heavily upon ordinary human life.
What Does Ecclesiastes 6:1 Mean?
Solomon opens a new observation with the phrase he uses throughout the book, 'under the sun,' his way of describing life as it appears from within this world. He has watched human living closely, and he names a particular 'evil' he has seen, not a moral wickedness but a heavy, grievous thing that troubles many people.
By calling it 'common among men,' he reminds us that the ache he is about to describe is not rare or private. It belongs to the shared human story. Scripture does not flinch from naming life's burdens, and a faith that can hold such honesty before God is a faith that can also receive His comfort. The One who sees every grief invites us to bring it to Him.
Ecclesiastes 6:1 in the Original Language
ra (רָע), 'evil' -- here a grievous or distressing thing, not moral wickedness but a heavy burden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 6:1
What does Ecclesiastes 6:1 mean?
The Preacher introduces a sorrow he has witnessed firsthand, one that weighs heavily upon ordinary human life.