The structure of this verse needs to be appreciated for satisfactory translation. We can divide the verse into three parts. The first clause makes a general observation about all matter in existence, human and other. All is identified and characterized. The second clause narrows the focus to human beings within creation. The third clause gives an example of what is known about the human condition.

We also note that the verse has a typical Hebrew structure. The first two lines have a chiastic or X-structure.

Note that there are two matching impersonal passives (“has been called” and “it is known”), as well as two relative clauses. Though the chiastic structure may not be an important feature in some languages, in Hebrew it usually marks an important point. The translator may wish to render this verse in a poetic form if this will provide emphasis.

Whatever has come to be has already been named: the opening relative pronoun “That which” means, as Revised Standard Version has rightly given it, Whatever, or “Anything.” In 3.15 the same expression was used. Has come to be renders the Hebrew verb for existence. See comments on “What has been” in 1.9. Good News Translation “everything that happens” is more limiting than the Hebrew, as happenings are events, whereas the Hebrew seems generally to mean everything that exists.

Has already been named: in Gen 2.19 all created things and beings were named as an expression of human control. This is the probable background to Qoheleth’s statement. The other possible meaning, and the one we shall adopt, is that naming identifies the unique features of a thing, its particular qualities and characteristics. This is similar to the meaning “name” carries in verse 4.

We may render this clause “Everything that exists has been identified” or “A name has been given to everything that exists in this world.”

And it is known what man is is literally “it is known that he is a man.” Qoheleth’s passive construction it is known can be expressed “we know,” or “everyone knows.” Man refers to human beings in general, so we can say “Everyone knows what people are like” or “It is a known fact that we are only human.” Contemporary English Version uses an inclusive “we”: “We humans know what we are like.” Good News Translation interprets this phrase a little differently, linking it directly to the next one: “we all know that you cannot argue….” They put the Revised Standard Version rendering in a footnote. However, it is better to follow the Revised Standard Version text here.

And that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he: this clause identifies a second aspect of what is known. Lying behind the verb dispute is the Hebrew root “judge.” It has a definite legal setting and can also mean “to carry out judgment,” or even “to govern.” Of course it is entirely possible to argue or dispute with someone who is physically, intellectually, or socially more powerful than yourself, so obviously that is not what Qoheleth is claiming here. What he seems to mean is that you can dispute with someone more powerful—but you cannot expect to win the argument. This meaning should be evident in our translation. Qoheleth is not thinking of a person who is physically stronger, as he was when he used this term in 4.12. Here the term stronger describes a person who is more skilled in debate, or one who, because of social position, can simply deny what we say.

Some commentators see the reference to one stronger as an indirect reference to God. They further see in this verse and the following one an indirect reference to Job and his dialog with the Almighty. Though this is a possibility, it is preferable to leave the question open. It would not be correct to exclude other interpretations.

Our model translations will demonstrate the three-part structure of the verse as outlined above:

• Everything in existence already has a name; we know what it is to be human; we also know that a person cannot win an argument against someone who has more power.

• Everything created is known and named. We know what human beings are like. We also know that you can never win an argument against someone more skilled than you are.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .