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

14Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children. 15We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us. And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind. 17Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud—frustrated, discouraged, and angry. 18Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

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 another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.
• Ecclesiastes 2:22So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?
• 1 Samuel 12:21Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!
• Jeremiah 2:8The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who taught my word ignored me, the rulers turned against me, and the prophets spoke in the name of Baal, wasting their time on worthless idols.
• Mark 8:36And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?
• Ecclesiastes 1:3What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?
• Proverbs 11:29Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
• Isaiah 26:18We, too, writhe in agony, but nothing comes of our suffering. We have not given salvation to the earth, nor brought life into the world.
• Hosea 8:7“They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat. And even if there is any grain, foreigners will eat it.
• John 6:27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

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