Introduction to Ecclesiastes 6:1
Ecclesiastes 6:1 introduces an observation about human suffering using the existential particle יֵשׁ (yesh), which signifies existence or presence. The verse also employs a construct chain (רָעָה אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי, “an evil which I have seen”) to describe a phenomenon occurring תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ (taḥat hashemesh, “under the sun”), a phrase that is characteristic of the book’s reflections on human experience. Understanding these grammatical elements is essential for interpreting the verse’s meaning.
יֵ֣שׁ רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ וְרַבָּ֥ה הִ֖יא עַל־הָאָדָֽם׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. יֵ֣שׁ רָעָ֔ה (yesh ra‘ah) – “There is an evil”
2. אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי (asher ra’iti) – “which I have seen”
3. תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (taḥat hashemesh) – “under the sun”
4. וְרַבָּ֥ה הִ֖יא עַל־הָאָדָֽם (verabbah hi‘ al-ha’adam) – “and it is great upon mankind”
Explanation of Grammatical Function
1. The Existential Particle יֵשׁ
The verse begins with יֵ֣שׁ (yesh), which is an existential particle used to indicate the presence or existence of something.
– יֵ֣שׁ רָעָ֔ה (yesh ra‘ah) – “There is an evil.”
– Unlike regular verbs, יֵשׁ does not conjugate but remains constant.
– It functions similarly to “there is” in English, establishing the existence of an abstract concept (evil).
This construction is frequently used in Biblical Hebrew to introduce general truths or observations.
2. The Construct Chain רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי
The phrase רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי (ra‘ah asher ra’iti, “an evil which I have seen”) is a construct chain that establishes a relationship between the noun and the relative clause.
– רָעָ֔ה (ra‘ah, “evil”) is the subject.
– אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי (asher ra’iti, “which I have seen”) is a relative clause modifying רָעָ֔ה.
The asher + verb structure is a standard way of connecting descriptive clauses to a noun.
3. The Phrase תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ
The phrase תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (taḥat hashemesh, “under the sun”) is a recurring idiom in Ecclesiastes, signifying earthly life and human experience.
– תַּ֣חַת (taḥat) – Preposition meaning “under” or “beneath.”
– הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (hashemesh) – “The sun,” with the definite article הַ (ha-).
This phrase provides a cosmic or philosophical context for the observation, implying that the described evil is not unique but universal.
4. The Verb הִיא as a Pronoun with וְרַבָּ֥ה
The phrase וְרַבָּ֥ה הִ֖יא עַל־הָאָדָֽם (verabbah hi‘ al-ha’adam, “and it is great upon mankind”) includes:
– וְרַבָּ֥ה (verabbah) – “And great” (feminine singular adjective).
– הִ֖יא (hi‘) – Third-person feminine singular pronoun, referring back to רָעָ֔ה (ra‘ah, “evil”).
– עַל־הָאָדָֽם (al-ha’adam) – “Upon mankind,” showing the effect of the evil on humans.
This copular construction emphasizes the magnitude of the problem.
The Function of יֵשׁ and Construct Chains in Philosophical Reflections
The use of יֵשׁ in Ecclesiastes 6:1 establishes the existence of a universal evil, while the construct chain (רָעָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָאִ֖יתִי) defines the nature of the evil as a personal observation. The phrase תַּ֣חַת הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ places the issue within the scope of human existence, and the copular phrase (וְרַבָּ֥ה הִ֖יא עַל־הָאָדָֽם) emphasizes its impact. These grammatical features contribute to Ecclesiastes’ broader meditation on the nature of suffering and human experience.
