Ecclesiastes 5:16

Ecclesiastes 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
• New International Version (NIV)This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?
• English Standard Version (ESV)This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?
• New King James Version (NKJV)And this also is a severe evil— Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

Context of Ecclesiastes 5:16

14That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed. 15As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as he comes, so he will go. What does the one gain who struggles for the wind? 17What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much frustration, sickness, and anger. 18Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.

Ecclesiastes 5:16 word by word

וְגַם־זֹה֙ רָעָ֣ה חוֹלָ֔ה כָּל־עֻמַּ֥ת שֶׁבָּ֖א כֵּ֣ן יֵלֵ֑ךְ וּמַה־יִּתְר֣וֹן ל֔וֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל לָרֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And thisזֹהzôh · thisH2090
• a soreחָלָהchâlâh · be weak: grievedH2470
• evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• in all pointsעֻמָּה‛ûmmâh · closeH5980
• as he cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• so shall he goיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• and what profitיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• hath he that hath labouredעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
• for the windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Ecclesiastes 5:13There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
• Ecclesiastes 2:22For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?
• 1 Samuel 12:21Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.
• Jeremiah 2:8The priests quit asking, “Where is the Lord?” The experts in the law no longer knew me, and the rulers rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.
• Mark 8:36For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?
• Ecclesiastes 1:3What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?
• Proverbs 11:29The one who brings ruin on his household will inherit the wind, and a fool will be a slave to someone whose heart is wise.
• Isaiah 26:18We became pregnant, we writhed in pain; we gave birth to wind. We have won no victories on earth, and the earth’s inhabitants have not fallen.
• Hosea 8:7Indeed, they sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if they did, foreigners would swallow it up.
• John 6:27Don’t work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set his seal of approval on him.”

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-17Verses 9-17 The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17Working just to gain possessions is like chasing the wind; it causes frustration, discouragement, and anger.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Even supposing that he loses not his wealth before death, then at least he must go stripped of it all (Psa 49:17). laboured for the wind--(Ho 12:1; 1Co 9:26).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Riches

In the dictionaries

• Abundance
• Angry
• Defer
• Eat
• Error
• Vow
• Points
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5

• 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