Ecclesiastes 11:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
2 of 18
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִחְיֶ֥ה
live
H2421
יִחְיֶ֥ה
live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
5 of 18
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
הָאָדָ֖ם
But if a man
H120
הָאָדָ֖ם
But if a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
6 of 18
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
בְּכֻלָּ֣ם
H3605
בְּכֻלָּ֣ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂמָ֑ח
and rejoice
H8055
יִשְׂמָ֑ח
and rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
8 of 18
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
וְיִזְכֹּר֙
in them all yet let him remember
H2142
וְיִזְכֹּר֙
in them all yet let him remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְמֵ֣י
the days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
of darkness
H2822
הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ
of darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
12 of 18
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִהְי֖וּ
H1961
יִהְי֖וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
15 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
John 12:35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Ecclesiastes 7:14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.Joel 2:2A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Ecclesiastes 8:12Though 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:Ecclesiastes 8:15Then 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.Ecclesiastes 6:11Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?Jude 1:18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's understanding of death involved Sheol—the shadowy realm of the dead described in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs. Old Testament revelation about afterlife was limited compared to New Testament clarity. The 'days of darkness' reflected this perspective: death ended conscious enjoyment of God's creation, making earthly life precious (Psalm 115:17). Solomon's era preceded Daniel's clear resurrection teaching (Daniel 12:2) and Jesus's full revelation of eternal life. Post-exilic Jews increasingly developed afterlife theology through apocalyptic literature (1 Enoch, 2 Maccabees 7). Christ's resurrection transformed death from many dark days to momentary sleep before eternal light (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does regularly remembering mortality shape your priorities and daily choices?
- In what ways does Christian hope in resurrection transform this verse's warning about 'days of darkness'?
Analysis & Commentary
But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all—the conjunction 'but' (כִּי) introduces qualification to verse 7's celebration of life. The Hebrew samach (שָׂמַח, rejoice) commands active joy throughout life's duration. However, the verse immediately adds sobering perspective: yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. The 'days of darkness' (יְמֵי הַחֹשֶׁךְ) likely refer to death and what follows—the grave, Sheol, the state of death. The phrase 'they shall be many' (הַרְבֵּה יִהְיוּ) creates striking contrast: however long earthly life lasts, death's duration far exceeds it.
The verse concludes: All that cometh is vanity (havel, הֶבֶל—vapor, breath, transience). This doesn't negate verses 7-8a's call to enjoy life but provides essential context: rejoice in life while remembering mortality. The tension is characteristically Ecclesiastean—affirm life's goodness while acknowledging its brevity. This prepares for 12:1-7's extended meditation on aging and death. The Christian hope transforms this: death is not endless darkness but sleep before resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and believers possess eternal life transcending temporal existence (John 11:25-26).