Ecclesiastes 6:3

"If. man fathers. hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things, and he does not even have. proper burial, then. say, 'Better the miscarriage than he,'"If. man…." -Perhaps, one may reason,. large family and long life will surely bring personal joy. In Jewish culture, Solomon is describing. man who had it all!. large family was. great blessing (Psalms 127:5).. hundred children isn't an exaggeration, for Ahab had 70 sons (2 Kings 10:1), and Rehoboam had 88 children (2 Chron. Ecclesiastes 11:21). Long life was also considered to be (and still is). great blessing (Psalms 90:10; Ex. Ecclesiastes 20:10; 1 Kings 3:11). "Artaxerxes Mnemon is said to have had 115 children, and died of grief at the age of 94 at the suicide of one son and the murder of another" (P.P. Comm. p. 138).

"but his soul is not satisfied with good things" -"Soul"-his appetite, desires, his person. "In. word he is not happy in his life" (Keil/Del. p. 305). Yes, you can have it all, and still be completely unhappy.

"and he does not even have. proper burial" -unlamented. "To be deprived of burial was considered by the Jews one of the greatest dishonors that could be inflicted on. human being" (Manners and Customs, Freeman, p. 227). (Deut. Ecclesiastes 28:26; 1 Samuel 17:44-46; Jeremiah 7:3; Ecclesiastes 16:4). What could be included in this improper burial, is that no friends or family come to mourn over his death. "It is not noted as to the reason why the rich man does not have. burial, but circumstances of life led to this unfortunate conclusion" (Kidwell p. 140). See Jeremiah 22:18-19. But such things do happen under the sun! Famous and wealthy men often die in obscurity, die friendless, and estranged from other family members.

"then. say, 'Better the miscarriage than he'" -the same thought is found in Ecclesiastes 4:2-3.