New English Translation
Ecclesiastes 5:20
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
- New International Version (NIV)They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.
Context of Ecclesiastes 5:20
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. 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. For 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 5:20 word by word
כִּ֚י לֹ֣א הַרְבֵּ֔ה יִזְכֹּ֖ר אֶת־יְמֵ֣י חַיָּ֑יו כִּ֧י הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים מַעֲנֶ֖ה בְּשִׂמְחַ֥ת לִבּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20For he shall not much remember - The person who acts in this way, extracts all the good requisite from life. He passes through things temporal so as not to lose those that are eternal: - "Calm and serene, the road of life to him, Or long or short, rugged or smooth, with thorns O'erspread, or gay with flowers, is but a road. Such fare as offers grateful he accepts, And smiling to his native home proceeds." C.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20The days will pass smoothly and pleasantly, while he lives in the consciousness of God‘s favor. Answereth him - i. e., grants his prayers.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. 2020. He will not remember much, looking back with disappointment, as the ungodly do (Ec 2:11), on the days of his life. answereth ... in the joy--God answers his prayers in giving him "power" to enjoy his blessings. Gesenius and Vulgate translate, "For God (so) occupies him with joy," &c., that he thinks not much of the shortness and sorrows of life. Holden, "Though God gives not much (as to real enjoyment), yet he remembers (with thankfulness) the days…Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 5:20
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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