Definition: Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ecclesiastes 9:6. It’s a pretty profound idea about human nature! Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks to the fading of our emotions – love, hatred, envy – and how they ultimately diminish our ability to enjoy or benefit from anything that happens in this world (the "under the sun"). It's like a temporary loss of something valuable. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ecclesiastes 9:6” : This is the title of the verse, referring to a specific passage in the book of Ecclesiastes. “Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy…” : This part describes the different types of emotions humans experience – love (affection), hatred (anger or resentment), and envy (feeling jealous of someone else’s good things). These are all natural human feelings. “…and their [is] now perished” : This means these emotions have stopped happening. They aren't actively present anymore. “Neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.” This is the core of the message: “A portion” : Think of a "portion" as a share, a benefit, or a reward. “For ever” : This means it’s not just for now; this feeling will never return. It's permanent. “In any [thing] that is done under the sun” : This refers to everything we do – our work, our lives, our daily activities. The "sun" represents the world and its natural cycles. So, what does it all mean? Essentially, this verse suggests that our emotions – especially those fueled by love, hatred, and envy – are temporary. They don’t bring lasting happiness or satisfaction. When we’re consumed by these feelings, we lose the ability to appreciate good things and experience true contentment. It's a reminder that focusing on fleeting emotions can lead to unhappiness. In short, it’s a warning against being overly attached to our feelings and reminding us to seek deeper meaning beyond our emotional experiences. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to other biblical passages? Discuss the philosophical implications of this idea?