Pengkhotbah 4:3

4:3 But better than both is the one who has not been born ¹ 

and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. ² 

Pengkhotbah 9:6

9:6 What they loved, ³  as well as what they hated ⁴  and envied, ⁵  perished long ago,

and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth. ⁶ 

Pengkhotbah 11:8

11:8 So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all,

but let him remember that the days of darkness ⁷  will be many – all that is about to come is obscure. ⁸ 

[4:3]  ¹ tn The word “born” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.

[4:3]  ² tn Heb “under the sun.”

[9:6]  ³ tn Heb “their love.”

[9:6]  ⁴ tn Heb “their hatred.”

[9:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “their envy.”

[9:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “under the sun.”

[11:8]  ⁷ tn The phrase “the days of darkness” refers to the onset of old age (Eccl 12:1-5) and the inevitable experience of death (Eccl 11:7-8; 12:6-7). Elsewhere, “darkness” is a figure of speech (metonymy of association) for death (Job 10:21-22; 17:13; 18:18).

[11:8]  ⁸ tn The term הֶבֶל (hevel) here means “obscure,” that is, unknown. This sense is derived from the literal concept of breath, vapor or wind that cannot be seen; thus, the idea of “obscure; dark; difficult to understand; enigmatic” (see HALOT 236–37 s.v. I הֶבֶל; BDB 210–11 s.v. I הֶבֶל). It is used in this sense in reference to enigmas in life (6:2; 8:10, 14) and the future which is obscure (11:8).