Matthew Poole and continuators on Ecclesiastes 6:10

10 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 .

This verse is added either as a proof of what he last said concerning the vanity and wandring of unsatiable desires; or as a further instance of the vanity of all things in this Life. That which hath been (or is, for the Hebrew verb may be rendred either way, to wit, Man, considered with all his endowments and enjoyments, whether he be wise or foolish, rich or poor, Man, who is the chief of all visible and sublunary beings, for whom they were all made) is named already, to wit, by God, who▪ presently after his Creation, gave him the following name, to signifie what his nature and condition was or would be. Heb. What is that which hath been, or is, it is or hath been named already. Others understand it thus, All the several conditions which men have had or shall have in the World, Riches or Poverty, &c. are already named, i. e. appointed or determined by Gods unchangeable Counsel, and invincible Providence: But though this be true, it seems not to suit so well with the following clause, as the other Interpretation doth.

This is certain and manifest, that that being, which makes all this noise and stir in the world, howsoever magnified by themselves, and somtimes adored by Flatterers, and howsoever differenced from, or advanced above others, by Wisdom or Riches, or the like, is but a Man, i. e. a mean, earthly▪ mortal and miserable Creature, as his very name signifies, which God gave him for this very end, that he might be always sensible of his vain, and base, and miserable estate in this world, and therefore never expect satisfaction or happiness in it.

i. e. With Almighty God, with whom Men are very apt to contend upon every sleight occasion, and against whom they are ready to murmur for this Vanity, and Mortality, and Misery of Mankind, although they brought it upon themselves by their own sins. So this is seasonably added to prevent the abuse of the foregoing passage.