TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Ecclesiastes 5

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Guardשְׁמֹ֣רšə·mōr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → your stepsרַגְלֶיךָraḡ·lɛ·ḵå̄ — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → whenכַּאֲשֶׁ֤רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → you goתֵּלֵךְ֙tê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֔יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. Draw nearוְקָר֣וֹבwə·qā·rō·wḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → to listenלִשְׁמֹ֔עַliš·mō·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → rather than to offerמִתֵּ֥תmit·têṯ — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → the sacrificeזָ֑בַחzā·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → of foolsהַכְּסִילִ֖יםhak·kə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study →, whoכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → do notאֵינָ֥ם’ê·nām — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → know thatיוֹדְעִ֖יםyō·wḏ·‘îm — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → they doלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → wrongרָֽע׃rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 2Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be quickתְּבַהֵ֨לtə·ḇa·hêl — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → speakפִּ֜יךָpî·ḵā — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, and do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be hastyיְמַהֵ֛רyə·ma·hêr — to hurry, hasten, make hasteH4116 — Full Word Study → in your heartוְלִבְּךָ֧wə·lib·bə·ḵā — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → to utterלְהוֹצִ֥יאlə·hō·w·ṣî — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → a wordדָבָ֖רḏā·ḇār — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֣יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. After all, Godהָאֱלֹהִ֤יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is in heavenבַּשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙baš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → and youוְאַתָּ֣הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → earthהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. Soעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → let your wordsדְבָרֶ֖יךָḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → beיִהְי֥וּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → fewמְעַטִּֽים׃mə·‘aṭ·ṭîm — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study →. 3Asכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a dreamהַחֲל֖וֹםha·ḥă·lō·wm — dream, vision during sleepH2472 — Full Word Study → comesבָּ֥אbā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → through manyבְּרֹ֣בbə·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → caresעִנְיָ֑ן‘in·yān — task, business, or occupation; labor or work undertakenH6045 — Full Word Study →, so the speechוְק֥וֹלwə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of a foolכְּסִ֖ילkə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → comes with many wordsדְּבָרִֽים׃də·ḇā·rîm — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →. 4Whenכַּאֲשֶׁר֩ka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → you makeתִּדֹּ֨רtid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → a vowנֶ֜דֶרne·ḏer — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to Godלֵֽאלֹהִ֗יםlê·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → delayתְּאַחֵר֙tə·’a·ḥêr — to delay, tarry, or postpone actionH309 — Full Word Study → in fulfilling itלְשַׁלְּמ֔וֹlə·šal·lə·mōw — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He takes noאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → pleasureחֵ֖פֶץḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → in foolsבַּכְּסִילִ֑יםbak·kə·sî·lîm — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study →. Fulfillשַׁלֵּֽם׃šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → your vowתִּדֹּ֖רtid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study →. 5It is betterט֖וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → to vowתִדֹּ֑רṯid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → than to make a vowמִשֶׁתִּדּ֖וֹרmi·šɛt·tid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → and notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → fulfill itתְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ṯə·šal·lêm — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study →. 6Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → letתִּתֵּ֤ןtit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → your mouthפִּ֙יךָ֙pî·ḵā — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → cause your flesh to sinלַחֲטִ֣יאla·ḥă·ṭî — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study →, and do notוְאַל־wə·’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → tellתֹּאמַר֙tō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the messengerהַמַּלְאָ֔ךְham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → your vow was a mistakeשְׁגָגָ֖הšə·ḡā·ḡāh — unintentional sin or errorH7684 — Full Word Study →. Whyלָ֣מָּהlām·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → should Godהָֽאֱלֹהִים֙hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → be angryיִקְצֹ֤ףyiq·ṣōp̄ — to be angry, to become wrathfulH7107 — Full Word Study → withעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your wordsקוֹלֶ֔ךָqō·w·le·ḵā — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → and destroyוְחִבֵּ֖לwə·ḥib·bêl — to bind, pledge, or destroyH2254 — Full Word Study → the workמַעֲשֵׂ֥הma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → of your handsיָדֶֽיךָ׃yā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →? 7For asכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → manyבְרֹ֤בḇə·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → dreamsחֲלֹמוֹת֙ḥă·lō·mō·wṯ — dream, vision during sleepH2472 — Full Word Study → bring futilityוַהֲבָלִ֔יםwa·hă·ḇā·lîm — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →, so do manyהַרְבֵּ֑הhar·bêh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → wordsוּדְבָרִ֖יםū·ḏə·ḇā·rîm — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →. Thereforeכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, fearיְרָֽא׃yə·rā — to fear, revere, or be afraidH3372 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 8Ifאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → you seeתִּרְאֶ֣הtir·’eh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the oppressionעֹ֣שֶׁק‘ō·šeq — Oppression, extortion, or unjust gain obtained through violence or deceitH6233 — Full Word Study → of the poorרָ֠שׁrāš — To be poor, lack, or become destituteH7326 — Full Word Study → and the denialוְגֵ֨זֶלwə·ḡê·zel — Plunder, theft, or property seized by violenceH1498 — Full Word Study → of justiceמִשְׁפָּ֤טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → and righteousnessוָצֶ֙דֶק֙wā·ṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study → in the provinceבַמְּדִינָ֔הḇam·mə·ḏî·nāh — province; administrative districtH4082 — Full Word Study →, do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → be astonishedתִּתְמַ֖הּtiṯ·mah — to be astonished; to marvel or wonderH8539 — Full Word Study → atעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the matterהַחֵ֑פֶץha·ḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study →; forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → one officialגָבֹ֜הַּḡā·ḇō·ah — high, exalted, or lofty in position or characterH1364 — Full Word Study → is watched byשֹׁמֵ֔רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → a superiorגָּבֹ֙הַ֙gå̄·ḇō·ha — high, exalted, or lofty in position or characterH1364 — Full Word Study →, and others higher stillוּגְבֹהִ֖יםū·ḡə·ḇō·hîm — high, exalted, or lofty in position or characterH1364 — Full Word Study → are over themעֲלֵיהֶֽם׃‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 9The produceוְיִתְר֥וֹןwə·yiṯ·rō·wn — advantage, profit, superiority, what remainsH3504 — Full Word Study → of the earthאֶ֖רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → is taken by allבַּכֹּ֣לbak·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →; the king himselfמֶ֥לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → profitsנֶעֱבָֽד׃ne·‘ĕ·ḇāḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → from the fieldsלְשָׂדֶ֖הlə·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →. 10He who lovesאֹהֵ֥ב’ō·hêḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → moneyכֶּ֙סֶף֙ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → is neverלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → satisfiedיִשְׂבַּ֣עyiś·ba‘ — to satisfy, fill, have enoughH7646 — Full Word Study → by moneyכֶּ֔סֶףke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →, and he whoוּמִֽי־ū·mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → lovesאֹהֵ֥ב’ō·hêḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → wealthבֶּהָמ֖וֹןbe·hā·mō·wn — Crowd, tumult, noise, abundanceH1995 — Full Word Study → is neverלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → satisfied by income. Thisזֶ֖הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → tooגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → is futileהָֽבֶל׃hā·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →. 11When good thingsהַטּוֹבָ֔הhaṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → increaseבִּרְבוֹת֙bir·ḇō·wṯ — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study →, so doרַבּ֖וּrab·bū — to multiply, increase in number or abundanceH7231 — Full Word Study → those who consume themאוֹכְלֶ֑יהָ’ō·wḵ·le·hā — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →; what thenוּמַה־ū·mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → is the profitכִּשְׁרוֹן֙kiš·rō·wn — Skill, prudence, or proper conductH3788 — Full Word Study → to the ownerלִבְעָלֶ֔יהָliḇ·‘ā·le·hā — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →, exceptכִּ֖יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → to behold themרְאִיַּתrə·ʾī·yaṯ — to see, behold, or gaze uponH7207 — Full Word Study → with his eyesעֵינָֽיו׃‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →? 12The sleepשְׁנַ֣תšə·naṯ — sleep; slumber; restH8142 — Full Word Study → of the workerהָעֹבֵ֔דhā·‘ō·ḇêḏ — to serve, labor, workH5647 — Full Word Study → is sweetמְתוּקָה֙mə·ṯū·qāh — sweet, pleasant to taste or experienceH4966 — Full Word Study →, whetherאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → he eatsיֹאכֵ֑לyō·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → littleמְעַ֥טmə·‘aṭ — A small amount; little; fewH4592 — Full Word Study → orוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → muchהַרְבֵּ֖הhar·bêh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study →, but the abundanceוְהַשָּׂבָע֙wə·haś·śā·ḇā‘ — Abundance, plenty, satietyH7647 — Full Word Study → of the rich manלֶֽעָשִׁ֔ירle·‘ā·šîr — A wealthy or rich person; one possessing abundant resourcesH6223 — Full Word Study → permitsמַנִּ֥יחַֽman·nî·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → him noאֵינֶ֛נּוּ’ê·nen·nū — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → sleepלִישֽׁוֹן׃lî·šō·wn — to sleep; to be asleep; dormant or inactiveH3462 — Full Word Study →. 13There isיֵ֚שׁyêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → a grievousחוֹלָ֔הḥō·w·lāh — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study → evilרָעָ֣הrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → I have seenרָאִ֖יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → underתַּ֣חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁhaš·šā·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study →: wealthעֹ֛שֶׁר‘ō·šer — Riches, wealth, abundance of possessionsH6239 — Full Word Study → hoardedשָׁמ֥וּרšā·mūr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → to the harmלְרָעָתֽוֹ׃lə·rā·‘ā·ṯōw — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → of its ownerלִבְעָלָ֖יוliḇ·‘ā·lāw — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study →, 14orהַה֖וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → wealthהָעֹ֥שֶׁרhā·‘ō·šer — Riches, wealth, abundance of possessionsH6239 — Full Word Study → lostוְאָבַ֛דwə·’ā·ḇaḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study → in a failedרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → ventureבְּעִנְיַ֣ןbə·‘in·yan — task, business, or occupation; labor or work undertakenH6045 — Full Word Study →, so when that man has a sonבֵּ֔ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → there is nothingוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → to pass onבְּיָד֖וֹbə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 15Asכַּאֲשֶׁ֤רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → a man came from his mother’sאִמּ֔וֹ’im·mōw — mother; female parentH517 — Full Word Study → wombמִבֶּ֣טֶןmib·be·ṭen — belly; womb; interior of the bodyH990 — Full Word Study →, so he will departלָלֶ֖כֶתlā·le·ḵeṯ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → againיָשׁ֥וּבyā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →, nakedעָר֛וֹם‘ā·rō·wm — naked, bare, exposedH6174 — Full Word Study → as he arrivedכְּשֶׁבָּ֑אkə·šeb·bā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →. He takesיִשָּׂ֣אyiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → nothingוּמְא֙וּמָה֙ū·mə·’ū·māh — anything, something, aughtH3972 — Full Word Study → for his laborבַעֲמָל֔וֹḇa·‘ă·mā·lōw — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study → to carryשֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְše·yō·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in his handsבְּיָדֽוֹ׃bə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 16Thisזֹה֙zōh — This, that; demonstrative pronoun or adjectiveH2090 — Full Word Study → tooוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → is a grievousחוֹלָ֔הḥō·w·lāh — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study → evil: Exactly asכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → a man is bornשֶׁבָּ֖אšeb·bā — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, soכֵּ֣ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → he will departיֵלֵ֑ךְyê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. Whatוּמַה־ū·mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → does he gainיִּתְר֣וֹןyiṯ·rō·wn — advantage, profit, superiority, what remainsH3504 — Full Word Study → as he toilsשֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖לše·ya·‘ă·mōl — to toil, labor, exert effortH5998 — Full Word Study → for the windלָרֽוּחַ׃lā·rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →? 17Moreoverגַּ֥םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his daysיָמָ֖יוyā·māw — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he eatsיֹאכֵ֑לyō·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → in darknessבַּחֹ֣שֶׁךְba·ḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study →, with muchהַרְבֵּ֖הhar·bêh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → sorrowוְכָעַ֥סwə·ḵā·‘as — Vexation, provocation, or irritation that stirs angerH3708 — Full Word Study →, sicknessוְחָלְי֥וֹwə·ḥā·lə·yōw — Sickness, disease, illnessH2483 — Full Word Study →, and angerוָקָֽצֶף׃wā·qā·ṣep̄ — Rage, wrath, or fierce angerH7110 — Full Word Study →. 18Hereהִנֵּ֞הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → is whatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֗נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → have seenרָאִ֣יתִיrā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → to be goodט֣וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → and fittingיָפֶ֣הyā·p̄eh — Beautiful, fair, or lovely in appearanceH3303 — Full Word Study →: to eatלֶֽאֶכוֹל־le·’e·ḵō·wl- — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and drinkוְ֠לִשְׁתּוֹתwə·liš·tō·wṯ — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study →, and to findוְלִרְא֨וֹתwə·lir·’ō·wṯ — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → satisfactionטוֹבָ֜הṭō·w·ḇāh — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → in allבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the laborעֲמָל֣וֹ׀‘ă·mā·lōw — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study → one doesשֶׁיַּעֲמֹ֣לše·ya·‘ă·mōl — to toil, labor, exert effortH5998 — Full Word Study → underתַּֽחַת־ta·ḥaṯ- — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the sunהַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → during the fewמִסְפַּ֧רmis·par — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → daysיְמֵי־yə·mê- — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of lifeחַיָּוḥay·yå̄w — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has givenנָֽתַן־nā·ṯan- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → him—forכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → thisה֥וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → is his lotחֶלְקֽוֹ׃ḥel·qōw — portion, allotment, flatteryH2506 — Full Word Study →. 19Furthermoreגַּ֣םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study →, Godהָאֱלֹהִים֩hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → has givenנָֽתַן־nā·ṯan- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → richesעֹ֨שֶׁר‘ō·šer — Riches, wealth, abundance of possessionsH6239 — Full Word Study → and wealthוּנְכָסִ֜יםū·nə·ḵā·sîm — wealth, riches, propertyH5233 — Full Word Study → to everyכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → manהָאָדָ֡םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, and He has enabled himוְהִשְׁלִיט֨וֹwə·hiš·lî·ṭōw — to rule, dominate, or exercise power overH7980 — Full Word Study → to enjoy themלֶאֱכֹ֤לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →, to acceptוְלָשֵׂ֣אתwə·lā·śêṯ — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → his lotחֶלְק֔וֹḥel·qōw — portion, allotment, flatteryH2506 — Full Word Study →, and to rejoiceוְלִשְׂמֹ֖חַwə·liś·mō·aḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → in his laborבַּעֲמָל֑וֹba·‘ă·mā·lōw — Labor, toil, trouble, or arduous workH5999 — Full Word Study →. Thisזֹ֕הzōh — This, that; demonstrative pronoun or adjectiveH2090 — Full Word Study → is a giftמַתַּ֥תmat·taṯ — A gift or present given voluntarilyH4991 — Full Word Study → from Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 20Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a man seldom considersיִזְכֹּ֖רyiz·kōr — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → the daysיְמֵ֣יyə·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of his lifeחַיָּ֑יוḥay·yāw — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֧יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִ֛יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → keeps him occupiedמַעֲנֶ֖הma·‘ă·neh — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → with the joyבְּשִׂמְחַ֥תbə·śim·ḥaṯ — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → of his heartלִבּֽוֹ׃lib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Ecclesiastes 5
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Ecclesiastes 5 pivots from the vanity of human pursuits to the proper posture of the human heart before God. Solomon addresses three critical areas of life: our worship and speech before God (verses 1–7), our attitude toward wealth and possessions (verses 8–17), and our ability to find contentment in God's provision (verses 18–20). Throughout the chapter, the Teacher contrasts the folly of reckless words, hasty vows, and greedy ambition with the wisdom of reverent silence, faithful obedience, and grateful enjoyment of what God provides. The underlying message is that life's true satisfaction comes not from accumulating more, but from fearing God and accepting His gifts with a humble heart.

Verses 1–5: Guard Your Words Before God

Solomon opens by calling believers to intentional reverence when approaching God's house. The phrase "keep thy foot" suggests careful, deliberate steps—approaching worship with preparation and respect rather than carelessness. Verse 2 strikes at the heart of the matter: silence and listening are superior to reckless speech. "God is in heaven, and thou upon earth" reminds us of the vast gap between the Creator and His creatures, and therefore our words before Him should be few and weighed with care.

Verses 3–5 turn specifically to vows—promises made to God. The warning is stark: it is better not to vow than to vow and break your word. This reflects the Old Testament principle that our word to the Lord is sacred (see Deuteronomy 23:21–23). A careless vow reveals a foolish heart, and God takes such commitments seriously. For believers today, this extends beyond formal vows to include promises we make to God in prayer: dedications of time, talent, or treasure that we later neglect.

Application: Come to worship and prayer with a reverent mind. Speak thoughtfully, listen more than you talk, and be absolutely faithful to commitments you make before the Lord—whether in baptism, church membership, or personal devotion.

Verses 6–12: The Vanity of Empty Words and Greedy Desires

Verse 6 warns that careless speech—even excuses like "it was an error"—can draw God's anger and result in loss. Verse 7 summarizes the section's theme: multiplied words and dreams reveal foolishness, not wisdom; the antidote is to fear God.

The passage then addresses social injustice (verses 8–9), acknowledging that oppression exists, but reminding us that God—"higher than the highest"—sees all. Meanwhile, verses 10–12 expose the futility of chasing wealth. The person who loves silver is never satisfied with silver. When goods increase, so do those who consume them. The irony is cruel: a laboring man sleeps peacefully, but the wealthy man lies awake worrying about his riches. Wealth, far from bringing rest, often brings anxiety.

Application: Don't pursue material gain as your life's goal. Trust God's justice in an unjust world, and remember that simple contentment with honest work often yields more peace than elaborate wealth.

Verses 13–17: The Tragedy of Hoarded Wealth

Solomon presents a stark picture: riches hoarded for personal benefit become a curse. They may be lost to misfortune or poor investment (verse 14), or left to a son who wastes them. Verse 15 echoes Job's wisdom: we came naked into the world and will leave naked; we take nothing with us. The ultimate tragedy is laboring for the wind—expending life energy on things that cannot follow us beyond death.

Application: Wealth is temporary stewardship, not permanent possession. Use your resources for God's kingdom and others' good, not merely for personal accumulation.

Verses 18–20: The Gift of Contentment

The conclusion offers biblical balance: it is good to eat, drink, and enjoy the fruit of your labor as God's gift. This is not hedonism but gratitude. Verses 19–20 emphasize that the ability to receive riches and enjoy them without anxiety is itself God's gift. Such a person "shall not much remember the days of his life"—not from forgetfulness, but because joy fills the heart, leaving little room for regret.

Application: Receive what God provides with thankfulness. Find joy in simple pleasures and honest work, and recognize contentment as a spiritual grace worth more than gold.

Application for Today

In a consumer culture, Ecclesiastes 5 calls us back to reverent worship, faithful promises, and grateful contentment. Whether in prayer, financial planning, or daily living, guard your words, keep your commitments, and remember that life's deepest satisfaction flows not from having more, but from fearing God and enjoying His provision with a peaceful heart.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note