Ecclesiastes 11:8

So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness ¹  will be many – all that is about to come is obscure. ² 

De 32:29; Job 10:22; Job 14:10; Job 15:23; Job 18:18; Ec 2:1-11,15,17,19,21-23,26; Ec 3:12,13; Ec 4:8,16; Ec 5:15,16; Ec 5:18-20; Ec 6:6; Ec 6:11; Ec 7:14; Ec 8:12; Ec 8:15; Ec 12:1-5; Jer 13:16; Joe 2:2; Mt 22:13; Joh 12:35; Jude 1:18

¹ tn The phrase “the days of darkness” refers to the onset of old age (Eccl 12:1-5) and the inevitable experience of death (Eccl 11:7-8; 12:6-7). Elsewhere, “darkness” is a figure of speech (metonymy of association) for death (Job 10:21-22; 17:13; 18:18).

² tn The term הֶבֶל (hevel) here means “obscure,” that is, unknown. This sense is derived from the literal concept of breath, vapor or wind that cannot be seen; thus, the idea of “obscure; dark; difficult to understand; enigmatic” (see HALOT 236–37 s.v. I הֶבֶל; BDB 210–11 s.v. I הֶבֶל). It is used in this sense in reference to enigmas in life (6:2; 8:10, 14) and the future which is obscure (11:8).