Introduction to Ecclesiastes 6:7
Ecclesiastes 6:7 expresses the futility of human labor: though a man’s toil sustains physical life, his soul remains unsatisfied. The verse is structured around a parallelism of contrast, using two clauses that mirror each other in syntax but contrast in meaning. This lesson focuses on the grammatical structure of parallel contrast in Biblical Hebrew, and how nominal and verbal constructions emphasize existential themes.
כָּל־עֲמַ֥ל הָאָדָ֖ם לְפִ֑יהוּ וְגַם־הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ לֹ֥א תִמָּלֵֽא׃
Analysis of Key Words and Structures
- כָּל־עֲמַ֥ל (kol-ʿamal) – “All toil.”
כָּל (“all”) governs the construct noun עֲמָל (“labor, toil”), forming a unit: “all the labor.” Functions as the subject of the first clause. - הָאָדָ֖ם (haʾadam) – “the man” or “humanity.”
Definite article הַ־ specifies it as “the human being” in general. - לְפִ֑יהוּ (lefiho) – “for his mouth.”
Preposition לְ + noun פֶּה (“mouth”) + 3ms suffix ־הוּ (“his”). Expresses purpose: the toil is for the satisfaction of physical needs (eating, survival). - וְגַם־הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ (vegam-hannefesh) – “and also the soul.”
Conjunction וְ + intensifier גַם (“also”), marking a second subject. הַנֶּפֶשׁ (“the soul, life-force, inner being”) shifts the focus from physical to internal needs. - לֹ֥א תִמָּלֵֽא (loʾ timmaleʾ) – “is not filled.”
לֹא negates the verb. תִמָּלֵא is Niphal imperfect 3fs from מלא (“to be full, filled”), matching הַנֶּפֶשׁ in gender and number. Indicates a continuing or habitual lack of satisfaction.
Parallel Contrast: Physical Provision vs. Inner Emptiness
Ecclesiastes 6:7 consists of two grammatically parallel but thematically contrasting clauses:
1. כָּל־עֲמַל הָאָדָם לְפִ֑יהוּ – “All the toil of a human is for his mouth.”
2. וְגַם־הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ לֹ֥א תִמָּלֵֽא – “And also the soul is not filled.”
Both clauses:
– Begin with a noun phrase as subject.
– Follow with a prepositional or verbal phrase as predicate.
– Feature definiteness: הָאָדָם (“the man”) and הַנֶּפֶשׁ (“the soul”).
The grammatical mirroring enhances the philosophical point: physical labor sustains life, but spiritual fulfillment remains elusive.
Note how the positive structure of the first clause (“for his mouth”) contrasts sharply with the negated second clause (“not filled”). This use of asymmetrical negation is a hallmark of Hebrew parallelism of contrast.
The verb תִמָּלֵא (Niphal, passive/reflexive) emphasizes that satisfaction is something received, not achieved by mere toil.
How Parallel Grammar Mirrors Existential Tension in Ecclesiastes
The grammatical structure of Ecclesiastes 6:7 reflects the inner philosophical tension of the book.
The parallelism of noun phrases (כָּל־עֲמַל הָאָדָם vs. הַנֶּפֶשׁ) and their contrasting predicates express a profound insight:
– Physical effort (labor for food) is achievable.
– Spiritual fulfillment (the soul’s satisfaction) remains perpetually out of reach.
By balancing and contrasting these two lines grammatically, the Hebrew text conveys existential futility without needing lengthy explanation.
Grammar becomes theology: labor satisfies the mouth temporarily, but no labor fills the soul.
Thus, understanding Hebrew parallelism—especially parallel contrast with negation—reveals how the form of the verse intensifies its timeless existential message.
