New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 5:18
18I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
- New International Version (NIV)This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.
Context of Ecclesiastes 5:18
16This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind? 17Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger. I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward. 19To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God. 20For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 5Ecclesiastes 5:18 word by word
הִנֵּ֞ה אֲשֶׁר־רָאִ֣יתִי אָ֗נִי ט֣וֹב אֲשֶׁר־יָפֶ֣ה לֶֽאֶכוֹל־וְ֠לִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְא֨וֹת טוֹבָ֜ה בְּכָל־עֲמָל֣וֹ׀ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹ֣ל תַּֽחַת־הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ מִסְפַּ֧ר יְמֵי־חַיָּ֛יו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־ל֥וֹ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־ה֥וּא חֶלְקֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- which I have seenרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: seeH7200
- goodטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- and comelyיָפֶהyâpheh · beautifulH3303
- to eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
- and to drinkשָׁתָהshâthâh · to drinkH8354
- and to enjoyרָאָהrâ'âh · to see: enjoyH7200
- the goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896
- of all his labourעָמָל‛âmâl · troubleH5999
- that he takethעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
- under the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
- allמִסְפָּרmispâr · numberH4557
- the daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- of his lifeחַיִּיםchay · lifeH2416
- which Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- givethנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
- his portionחֵ֫לֶקchêleq · portionH2506
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:18
- Ecclesiastes 2:24There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
- Ecclesiastes 3:12I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,
- Ecclesiastes 8:15So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.
- 1 Timothy 6:17Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.
- Ecclesiastes 2:10I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.
- Ecclesiastes 3:22So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?
- Jeremiah 52:34He was given daily provisions by the king of Babylon for the rest of his life until the day he died.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Behold that which I have seen - This is the result of my observations and experience. God gives every man, in the course of his providence, the necessaries of life; and it is his will that he should thankfully use them. For it is his portion - What is requisite for him in the lower world; without them his life cannot subsist, and earthly blessings are as truly the portion of his body and animal life, as the salvation of God is the portion of his soul.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Rather, Behold what I have seen to be good, it is pleasant for a man to eat. Such thankful enjoyment is inculcated by the Law Deuteronomy 12:7, Deuteronomy 12:18.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-20Verses 18-20 Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light. Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-20The advice for enjoying life is clear: Enjoy your food, drink, and work. Appreciate them as gifts from God.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. Returns to the sentiment (Ec 3:12, 13, 22); translate: "Behold the good which I have seen, and which is becoming" (in a man). which God giveth--namely, both the good of his labor and his life. his portion--legitimately. It is God's gift that makes it so when regarded as such. Such a one will use, not abuse, earthly things (1Co 7:31). Opposed to the anxious life of the covetous (Ec 5:10, 17).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 5:18
In the dictionaries
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
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