Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless. New Living Translation When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless. English Standard Version So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Berean Standard Bible So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. King James Bible But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. New King James Version But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity. New American Standard Bible Indeed, if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. NASB 1995 Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. NASB 1977 Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. Legacy Standard Bible Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him be glad in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be vanity. Amplified Bible Yes, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is to come will be futility. Christian Standard Bible Indeed, if someone lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, since they will be many. All that comes is futile. Holman Christian Standard Bible Indeed, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, since they will be many. All that comes is futile. American Standard Version Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Contemporary English Version Even if you have a very long life, you should try to enjoy each day, because darkness will come and will last a long time. Nothing makes sense. English Revised Version Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. GOD'S WORD® Translation Even though people may live for many years, they should enjoy every one of them. But they should also remember there will be many dark days. Everything that is coming is pointless. Good News Translation Be grateful for every year you live. No matter how long you live, remember that you will be dead much longer. There is nothing at all to look forward to. International Standard Version Even if a person lives many years, let him enjoy them all, recalling that there will be many days of darkness to come—all of which are pointless. Majority Standard Bible So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. NET Bible So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many--all that is about to come is obscure. New Heart English Bible Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. Webster's Bible Translation But if a man shall live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. World English Bible Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBut if man lives many years, "" In all of them let him rejoice, "" And remember the days of darkness, "" For they are many! All that is coming [is] vanity. Young's Literal Translation But, if man liveth many years, In all of them let him rejoice, And remember the days of darkness, For they are many! all that is coming is vanity. Smith's Literal Translation If man shall live many years, in them all shall he rejoice; and he shall remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All coming is vanity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf a man live many years, and have rejoiced in them all, he must remember the darksome time, and the many days: which when they shall come, the things past shall be accused of vanity. Catholic Public Domain Version If a man lives for many years, and if he has rejoiced in all of these, he must remember the many days of the dark times, which, when they will have arrived, will accuse the past of vanity. New American Bible However many years mortals may live, let them, as they enjoy them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity. New Revised Standard Version Even those who live many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because if a son of man will live many years, may he rejoice in all these and be reminded of the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that comes is futility OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For if a man live many years, Let him rejoice in them all, And remember the days of darkness, For they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Brenton Septuagint Translation For even if a man should live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Enjoy Your Years7Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. 8So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. 9Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.… Cross References James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Psalm 39:4-5 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. / You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Job 14:1-2 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. Luke 12:19-20 Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ Isaiah 40:6-8 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Psalm 103:15-16 As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more. Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. 2 Peter 3:8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. Treasury of Scripture But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. if a man Ecclesiastes 6:6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place? Ecclesiastes 8:12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: rejoice Ecclesiastes 3:12,13 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life… Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion… Ecclesiastes 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun. all that Ecclesiastes 2:1-11,15,17,19,21-23,26 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity… Ecclesiastes 4:8,16 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail… Ecclesiastes 5:15,16 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand… Jump to Previous Dark Darkness Enjoy Futility Great However Indeed Joy Live Meaningless Mind Purpose Rejoice Remember VanityJump to Next Dark Darkness Enjoy Futility Great However Indeed Joy Live Meaningless Mind Purpose Rejoice Remember VanityEcclesiastes 11 1. directions for charity7. death in life and the day of judgment 9. in the days of youth So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. This phrase emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the entirety of one's life, regardless of its length. The biblical context suggests a call to appreciate the gift of life, echoing themes found in other wisdom literature such as Proverbs, which often highlights the value of a joyful heart (Proverbs 17:22). Historically, the ancient Near Eastern culture placed significant value on longevity as a sign of divine favor. Theologically, this can be seen as an encouragement to live a life of gratitude, recognizing each day as a blessing from God. The call to rejoice aligns with the New Testament teachings of Paul, who urges believers to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4). But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him. 2. Israel - The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of Ecclesiastes. 3. Days of Darkness - A metaphorical reference to times of trouble, suffering, or death. It serves as a reminder of life's transient nature. Teaching Points Rejoice in Every SeasonLife is a gift from God, and each year is an opportunity to experience His blessings. Embrace joy in every season, recognizing that each moment is precious. Remember Life's Transience The "days of darkness" remind us of life's brevity. This awareness should lead us to live purposefully and with an eternal perspective. Embrace the Futility with Faith Acknowledge that earthly pursuits can be futile without God. Let this drive you to seek fulfillment in Him rather than in temporary things. Balance Joy and Sobriety While rejoicing in life, maintain a sober understanding of its challenges. This balance helps cultivate resilience and hope in Christ. Live with Eternity in Mind The inevitability of "days of darkness" should encourage us to invest in eternal treasures and live in a way that honors God.(8) Days of darkness.--Psalm 88:12; Psalm 143:3; Job 10:21. (Comp. also Psalm 56:13; Job 33:30.)Verse 8. - But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all. The conjunction ki at the commencement of the verse is causal rather than adversative, and should be rendered "for." The insertion of "and" before "rejoice" mars the sentence. The apodosis begins with "rejoice," and the translation is, For if a man live many years, he ought to rejoice in them all. Koheleth has said (ver. 7) that life is sweet and precious; now he adds that it is therefore man's duty to enjoy it; God has ordained that he should do so, whether his days on earth be many or few. Yet let him remember the days of darkness. The apodosis is continued, and the clause should run, And remember, etc. "The days of darkness ' do not mean times of calamity as contrasted with the light of prosperity, as though the writer were bidding one to be mindful of the prospect of disastrous change in the midst of happiness; nor, again, the period of old age distinguished from the glowing light of youth (Virgil, 'AEneid,' L 590, 591). The days of darkness signify the life in Hades, far from the light of the sun, gloomy, uncheered. The thought of this state should not make us hopeless and reckless, like the sensualists whose creed is to "eat and drink, for to-morrow we die" (1 Corinthians 15:82; Wisd. 2:1, etc.), but rouse us to make the best of life, to be contented and cheerful, doing our daily duties with the consciousness that this is our day of labor and joy, and that "the night cometh when no man can work ' (John 9:4). Wisely says Beu-Sira, "Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never do amiss" (Ecclus. 7:36). We are reminded of the Egyptian custom, mentioned by Herodotus (2. 78), of carrying a figure of a corpse among the guests at a banquet, not in order to damp pleasure, but to give zest to the enjoyment of the present and to keep it under proper control. "Look on this!" it was cried; "drink, and enjoy thyself; for when thou diest thou shalt he such." The Roman poet has many a passage like this, though, of course, of lower tendency. Thus Horace, 'Carm.,' 2:3 - "Preserve, O my Dellius, whatever thy fortunes, Hebrew Soכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction if אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not a man הָאָדָ֖ם (hā·’ā·ḏām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being lives יִחְיֶ֥ה (yiḥ·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2421: To live, to revive many הַרְבֵּ֛ה (har·bêh) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great years, שָׁנִ֥ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year let him rejoice יִשְׂמָ֑ח (yiś·māḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome in them all; בְּכֻלָּ֣ם (bə·ḵul·lām) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every but let him remember וְיִזְכֹּר֙ (wə·yiz·kōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male the days יְמֵ֣י (yə·mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 3117: A day of darkness, הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ (ha·ḥō·šeḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they will be יִהְי֖וּ (yih·yū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be many. הַרְבֵּ֥ה (har·bêh) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great Everything כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every to come שֶׁבָּ֥א (šeb·bā) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go is futile. הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory Links Ecclesiastes 11:8 NIVEcclesiastes 11:8 NLT Ecclesiastes 11:8 ESV Ecclesiastes 11:8 NASB Ecclesiastes 11:8 KJV Ecclesiastes 11:8 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 11:8 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 11:8 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 11:8 French Bible Ecclesiastes 11:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 11:8 Yes if a man lives many years (Ecclesiast. 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