King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 2:26 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 2:26 in the King James Version says “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, t... — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. in his: Heb. before him

Ecclesiastes 2:26 · KJV


Context

24

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. should make: or, delight his senses

25

For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

26

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. in his: Heb. before him


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Preacher reveals divine sovereignty in distribution of life's goods: 'For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God.' The Hebrew 'tov lephanav' (טוֹב לְפָנָיו, good in His sight) indicates those who please God, not those achieving self-righteousness. God gives them 'wisdom, knowledge, and joy'—comprehensive blessing including intellectual, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. Conversely, 'the sinner' (chote, חוֹטֵא) receives 'travail' (inyan, עִנְיָן)—burdensome toil. The sinner labors to accumulate, yet ultimately it transfers to the righteous. This verse teaches divine providence in distributing earthly goods: God sovereignly determines who enjoys what they acquire.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient wisdom generally taught that righteousness produces prosperity. Ecclesiastes nuances this: God gives joy to the righteous, not necessarily abundance—and even when sinners accumulate, God transfers it to the just. Job's friends assumed suffering indicated sin; Job's experience complicated this formula. This verse emphasizes not automatic prosperity but divine sovereignty in distribution. The righteous may have less materially yet enjoy it more through God's gift of contentment. The Reformers emphasized common grace (God's general provision) and special grace (saving favor). Modern prosperity gospel errs by promising automatic wealth; this verse teaches that God's blessing includes joy in whatever He provides.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you possess God's gift of joy in your current circumstances, or are you laboring anxiously to accumulate?
  2. How does this verse challenge both prosperity gospel and despair about righteousness bringing no blessing?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּ֤י1 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לְאָדָם֙2 of 22

to a man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לְטוֹב֙3 of 22

that is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לִפְנֵ֣י4 of 22

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לָתֵת֙5 of 22

For God giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

חָכְמָ֥ה6 of 22

wisdom

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְדַ֖עַת7 of 22

and knowledge

H1847

knowledge

וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה8 of 22

and joy

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וְלַחוֹטֶא֩9 of 22

but to the sinner

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לָתֵת֙10 of 22

For God giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עִנְיָ֜ן11 of 22

travail

H6045

ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair

לֶאֱס֣וֹף12 of 22

to gather

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

וְלִכְנ֗וֹס13 of 22

and to heap up

H3664

to collect; hence, to enfold

לָתֵת֙14 of 22

For God giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְטוֹב֙15 of 22

that is good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לִפְנֵ֣י16 of 22

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים17 of 22

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

גַּם18 of 22
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

זֶ֥ה19 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הֶ֖בֶל20 of 22

This also is vanity

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

וּרְע֥וּת21 of 22

and vexation

H7469

a feeding upon, i.e., grasping after

רֽוּחַ׃22 of 22

of spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 2:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 2:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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