A person can acquire every possible marker of worldly success—a sprawling family, an unusually long life, vast wealth, and great honor—yet still live an entirely empty existence that ends in tragedy. Material perfection alone guarantees neither peace of mind nor a meaningful legacy.
An individual might bring an exceptionally large family into the world, an idea represented by the concept of fathering a hundred children [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, רש״י]. This person might also be granted the gift of aging well and living for many years. This prolonged existence can manifest as immense wealth and property [רש״י, חומת אנך], a life of greatness and honor completely free from hardship [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, תעלומות חכמה], or simply an extraordinarily long lifespan [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Yet, despite this overwhelming abundance, the person finds no true satisfaction or joy in their lot. Instead of enjoying what they have, they are trapped in a constant pursuit of more, perpetually coveting the possessions of others [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. On a spiritual level, this deep inner hunger stems from a life devoid of spiritual wisdom and good deeds, leaving the soul completely unfulfilled [תעלומות חכמה, אלשיך].
Ultimately, this individual's life concludes in a harsh and degrading manner, denied even the dignity of a proper burial. Despite a lifetime of effort and accumulation, they might be killed and left exposed to wild animals [רש״י, מצודת דוד, צאינה וראינה], lost without a trace during their travels [ביאור שטיינזלץ], or simply pass away without receiving basic burial shrouds [אבן עזרא]. Spiritually, the lack of a burial signifies a body that cannot rest in peace awaiting resurrection, but is instead condemned to destruction or further reincarnation due to a lifetime of sin [תעלומות חכמה, אלשיך].
This tragic archetype is identified with specific historical figures [תורה תמימה]. One example is Cain, who lived a long life and had many children, yet lived as a wanderer and was eventually washed away in the flood without a burial. Another is King Ahab of Israel, who possessed great wealth and many sons, yet coveted Naboth's vineyard; he was ultimately killed in battle, and dogs licked his blood.
Considering this tragic trajectory, a stillborn child is actually considered more fortunate than this wealthy, successful person. Although a stillborn enters the world in nothingness and leaves in darkness without ever experiencing the good of life, it also never suffers pain, never experiences burning desires, and never accumulates sin [רש״י, צאינה וראינה]. Furthermore, a stillborn achieves a certain degree of spiritual repair merely through its time in the womb, whereas the wicked individual wastes an entire lifetime without ever fixing their soul [אלשיך]. In the context of the historical examples, the concept of the stillborn represents the innocent victims—such as Abel and Naboth—who, despite being murdered, were granted a proper burial and ultimate rest [תורה תמימה]. Finally, even though a stillborn is not typically given a formal burial, its state remains superior; there is no inherent obligation for its burial, whereas the unburied state of the wicked person serves as a permanent mark of disgrace [נחל אשכול].