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Psalm 109:13
Let his posterity be cut off;and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

and departs in darkness
The imagery of darkness here conveys a sense of obscurity and the unknown. In the ancient Near Eastern context, darkness often symbolized death, ignorance, or the absence of God's presence. The stillborn child, having never seen the light of day, departs in darkness, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the lack of fulfillment or understanding in life. This reflects the broader existential questions posed in Ecclesiastes about the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The darkness also contrasts with the biblical theme of light as life and truth, as seen in passages likeJohn 1:4-5, where light represents the life and revelation brought by Christ.

and his name is shrouded in obscurity
In biblical culture, a name held significant importance, often reflecting one's identity, character, or destiny. The absence of a name for the stillborn child signifies a lack of identity and remembrance, emphasizing the theme of obscurity. This can be seen as a commentary on the human desire for legacy and remembrance, which Ecclesiastes suggests is ultimately futile. The obscurity of the name parallels the preacher's observations about the fleeting nature of fame and human achievement. In contrast, the Bible often highlights the eternal significance of names written in the Book of Life, as seen inRevelation 3:5, where believers are promised that their names will never be blotted out. This contrast underscores the transient nature of earthly recognition compared to the eternal recognition by God.

– “For a stillborn child enters in futility” (Ecclesiastes 6:4a)

• Solomon has just compared a wealthy man who never enjoys God’s gifts to a baby who never breathes outside the womb. Both arrive in the world with unrealized potential.

• The word “futility” echoes the book’s recurring theme: “Vanity of vanities” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life without enjoying God’s provision is as empty as vapor.

•Psalm 39:6 pictures the same emptiness: “Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely they bustle in vain.”

• Jesus warns against piling up abundance without a soul anchored in God (Luke 12:15–21).

– “…and departs in darkness” (Ecclesiastes 6:4b)

• The stillborn child never sees daylight; likewise, lives spent without God’s joy end in a shadowed finale.

• Job spoke of hidden, dark existence for the unborn (Job 3:16), again highlighting the severe statement Solomon makes.

•John 3:19 teaches that people who love darkness lose the light they were offered. A life that never steps into God’s light finishes where it began—dark and unseen.

– “…and his name is shrouded in obscurity” (Ecclesiastes 6:4c)

• In biblical culture a name carries identity and legacy. The stillborn child’s name is unrecorded, wiped from earthly memory.

• Solomon says the same is true for the prosperous person who never tastes God’s goodness—his identity ultimately fades. CompareProverbs 10:7: “The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.”

•Revelation 3:5 reassures believers that their names remain in the Book of Life. Assurance stands in stark contrast to the namelessness Solomon describes for those who live yet never truly live.

Ecclesiastes 6:4 uses the heartbreaking image of a stillborn infant to expose the tragedy of a life void of God’s joy. Entering in futility, departing in darkness, and ending without a name portray the empty loop of existence when wealth or achievement substitutes for a relationship with the Giver. In Christ we receive light, meaning, and a name that endures.