Revised Version 1895
Ecclesiastes 8:15
15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
- New International Version (NIV)So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.
Context of Ecclesiastes 8:15
13but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun. 16When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) 17then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 8Ecclesiastes 8:15 word by word
וְשִׁבַּ֤חְתִּֽי אֲנִי֙ אֶת־הַשִּׂמְחָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֵֽין־ט֤וֹב לָֽאָדָם֙ תַּ֣חַת הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ כִּ֛י אִם־לֶאֱכ֥וֹל וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת וְלִשְׂמ֑וֹחַ וְה֞וּא יִלְוֶ֣נּוּ בַעֲמָל֗וֹ יְמֵ֥י חַיָּ֛יו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־ל֥וֹ הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃Read the interlinear
- mirthשִׂמְחָהώimchâh · joyH8057
- becauseכִּיkîy · forH3588
- manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
- noאַ֫יִן'ayin · nothingH369
- betterטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- underתַּחַתtachath · underneath: underH8478
- sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121
- thanטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- eatאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
- drinkשָׁתָהshâthâh · to drinkH8354
- merryשָׂמַחώâmach · to rejoiceH8055
- allיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- daysיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- whichאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- givenנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 8:15
- Ecclesiastes 2:24There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
- Ecclesiastes 3:12I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.
- Ecclesiastes 5:18Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
- 1 Timothy 4:3forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
- 1 Timothy 6:17Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15Then I commended mirth - These are some more of the cavils of the infidel objector: "Since virtue is frequently under oppression, and vice triumphs in health, and rolls in wealth, I see plainly that we should not trouble ourselves about future things; and therefore should be governed by the maxim Ede, Bibe, Lude. Post mortem nulla voluptas." Eat, drink, and play, While here you may; For soon as death Has stopp'd your breath Ye ne'er shall see a cheerful…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15Mirth - Better, Gladness, or “joy” (as in Ecclesiastes 2:10). The Hebrew word is applied not only to the pleasures arising from the physical senses, but also frequently to religious joy. The sentiment of this verse is a frequent conclusion of the writer‘s personal experience (compare marginal references), and is unfairly charged with Epicureanism. The Preacher is careful to set forth pleasure as a gift from God, to be earned by labor, and received with…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-17Verses 14-17 Faith alone can establish the heart in this mixed scene, where the righteous often suffer, and the wicked prosper. Solomon commended joy, and holy security of mind, arising from confidence in God, because a man has no better thing under the sun, though a good man has much better things above the sun, than soberly and thankfully to use the things of this life according to his rank. He would not have us try to give a reason for what God does…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15The Teacher’s conclusion is familiar (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25; 3:12–13, 22; 5:18–20; 6:9). Despite tragedies and hard work, we can enjoy life and be happy. In Hebrew, the word translated as having fun means finding enjoyment in daily activities, not seeking pleasure or entertainment for its own sake.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. no better thing, &c.--namely, for the "just" man, whose chief good is religion, not for the worldly. abide--Hebrew, "adhere"; not for ever, but it is the only sure good to be enjoyed from earthly labors (equivalent to "of his labor the days of his life"). Still, the language resembles the skeptical precept (1Co 15:32), introduced only to be refuted; and "abide" is too strong language, perhaps, for a religious man to apply to "eating" and "mirth."Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 8:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 8
- 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
Revised Version 1895 — 1895 — Public Domain
Commentaries