Ecclesiastes 3:13

Ecclesiastes 3:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
• New International Version (NIV)That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.

Context of Ecclesiastes 3:13

11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him. 15What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 word by word

וְגַ֤ם כָּל־הָאָדָם֙ שֶׁיֹּאכַ֣ל וְשָׁתָ֔ה וְרָאָ֥ה ט֖וֹב בְּכָל־עֲמָל֑וֹ מַתַּ֥ת אֱלֹהִ֖ים הִֽיא׃Read the interlinear

• and alsoגַּםgam · alsoH1571
• that everyכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• should eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• and drinkשָׁתָהshâthâh · to drinkH8354
• and findרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: enjoyH7200
• satisfactionטוֹבţôb · goodH2896
• his laborעָמָל‛âmâl · troubleH5999
• this isהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931
• the giftמַתַּתmattâth · giftH4991
• of Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 3:13

• Ecclesiastes 2:24Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.
• Ecclesiastes 5:18Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
• Ecclesiastes 6:2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
• Ecclesiastes 9:7Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:
• Deuteronomy 28:30You will be pledged in marriage to a woman, but another man will violate her. You will build a house but will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard but will not enjoy its fruit.
• Judges 6:3Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them,
• Psalms 128:2For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.
• Isaiah 65:21They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3:13

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 Every thing is as God made it; not as it appears to us. We have the world so much in our hearts, are so taken up with thoughts and cares of worldly things, that we have neither time nor spirit to see God's hand in them. The world has not only gained possession of the heart, but has formed thoughts against the beauty of God's works. We mistake if we think we were born for ourselves; no, it is our business to do good in this life, which is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-13rejoice and do good while they live: Even though life and work can be hard, the Teacher's conclusion (repeated from Ecclesiastes 2:24) can still be true.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. Literally, "And also as to every man who eats ... this is the gift of God" (Ec 3:22; 5:18). When received as God's gifts, and to God's glory, the good things of life are enjoyed in their due time and order (Ac 2:46; 1Co 10:31; 1Ti 4:3, 4).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 3:13

• Blessing
• Contentment
• Gifts from God
• Happiness

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Dance
• Judge
• Life
• Providence
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings