Ecclesiastes 6:1-12; Riches are Meaningless (Part 2)
Today’s passage is Ecclesiastes 6:1-12. Please join us in study.
The word ‘appetite’ is used twice (vv.7,9) in these verses. The same Hebrew word translated here as ‘appetite’ is used many, many times in the Old Testament and is translated as ‘life’ 129 times and as ‘soul’ 105 times. The contexts of it’s use range from the Jacob speaking of how his life was spared when he saw God face to face (Genesis 32:30) to the Law (Exodus 21:23) to Hannah pouring out her soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15) to most anytime seeking the Lord with all your heart and soul is spoken of (Deuteronomy 4:29; 2 Kings 23:3; 1 Chronicle 22:19).
I would suggest that the translation here as ‘appetite’ implies one’s life or soul ‘on the hunt’ for satisfaction in much the same way as when our physical hunger flairs up and seeks satisfaction.
There are also repeated themes and questions in these verses, ideas that the Teacher has addressed before. What was he talking about the first time through and how does that apply to what he is trying to teach us here?
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