Parallel Verses
American Standard Version
Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
New American Standard Bible
Whatever
King James Version
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Holman Bible
Whatever exists was given its name long ago,
International Standard Version
Whatever exists has been named already; people know what it means to be human and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he.
A Conservative Version
Whatever has been, the name of it was given long ago, and it is know what man is. Neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
Amplified
Whatever exists has already been named [long ago], and it is known what [a frail being] man is; for he cannot dispute with Him who is mightier than he.
Bible in Basic English
That which is, has been named before, and of what man is there is knowledge. He has no power against one stronger than he.
Darby Translation
That which is hath already been named; and what man is, is known, and that he cannot contend with him that is mightier than he.
Julia Smith Translation
What was, its name was called already, and it was known that it is man: and he shall not be able to contend with the powerful above him.
King James 2000
Whatever has been is named already, and it is known that this is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Whatever is--it was already determined, {what will be--it has already been decided}. As for man, he cannot argue against what is more powerful than him.
Modern King James verseion
That which has been is named already, and it is known that he is man. And he is not able to contend with Him who is mightier than he.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
The thing that hath been is named already, and known - that it is man himself: neither may he go to law with him that is mightier than he.
NET Bible
Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.
New Heart English Bible
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
The Emphasized Bible
Whatsoever one may be, long ago, was he called by his name, and it is known that it is - Son of Earth, - he cannot, therefore, contend with one stronger than he.
Webster
That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
World English Bible
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
Youngs Literal Translation
What is that which hath been? already is its name called, and it is known that it is man, and he is not able to contend with him who is stronger than he.
Interlinear
Qara'
Yada`
Yakol
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:10
Verse Info
Context Readings
It Is Futile For Humans To Complain About God's Irresistible Will
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 10 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he. 11 Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
Names
Cross References
Job 9:32
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
Ecclesiastes 3:15
That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.
Job 40:2
Shall he that cavilleth contend with the Almighty? He that argueth with God, let him answer it.
Genesis 3:9
And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Genesis 3:17-19
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
Job 9:3-4
If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
Job 14:1-4
Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
Job 33:13
Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?
Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches , and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Psalm 82:6-7
I said, Ye are gods, And all of you sons of the Most High.
Psalm 103:15
As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Isaiah 45:9-10
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the pride of the Jordan against the strong habitation: for I will suddenly make them run away from it; and whoso is chosen, him will I appoint over it: for who is like me? and who will appoint me a time? and who is the shepherd that will stand before me?
Romans 9:19-20
Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?