King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:11 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:11 in the King James Version says “When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholdin...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?”

Ecclesiastes 5:11 · KJV

Context

9

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

10

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

11

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

12

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

13

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When goods increase, they are increased that eat them (בִּרְבוֹת הַטּוֹבָה רַבּוּ אוֹכְלֶיהָ, birvot hatovah rabbu okhleiha)—when prosperity multiplies, so do the consumers/dependents. The Hebrew okhleiha literally means 'those eating them,' referring to household members, servants, staff, and parasitic hangers-on. And what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? (וּמַה־כִּשְׁרוֹן לִבְעָלֶיהָ כִּי אִם־רְאוּת עֵינָיו, umah-kishron liv'aleiha ki im-re'ut einav)—the only advantage is visual observation.

Qoheleth identifies wealth's ironic burden: prosperity attracts dependents proportionally, leaving the owner with mere spectatorship rather than actual enjoyment. The term kishron ('advantage' or 'success') recalls the book's recurring question: 'What profit has man from all his labor?' (1:3). Jesus later warned that 'a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions' (Luke 12:15). The wealthy man becomes custodian rather than consumer, watching resources flow through his hands to others—rendering ownership functionally meaningless beyond the psychological satisfaction of 'having.' True contentment comes not from accumulation but from enjoying God's sufficient provision (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's enormous wealth (1 Kings 10:14-29) required massive administrative apparatus—officials, servants, traders, guards—all 'eating' from royal resources. His 40,000 stalls of horses and daily provisions (1 Kings 4:22-28) illustrate this principle exactly.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the burden of managing wealth differ from the assumed freedom it promises?
  2. In what ways might you be accumulating goods that primarily serve others' consumption rather than genuine contentment?
  3. What is the difference between stewardship and mere spectatorship in how you handle possessions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
בִּרְבוֹת֙1 of 11

“increase”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

הַטּוֹבָ֔ה2 of 11

“When goods”

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

רַבּ֖וּ3 of 11

“they are increased”

H7231

properly, to cast together , i.e., increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad

אוֹכְלֶ֑יהָ4 of 11

“that eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וּמַה5 of 11
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

כִּשְׁרוֹן֙6 of 11

“them and what good”

H3788

success, advantage

לִבְעָלֶ֔יהָ7 of 11

“is there to the owners”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

כִּ֖י8 of 11
H3588

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

אִם9 of 11

“thereof saving”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

רְא֥יּת10 of 11
H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עֵינָֽיו׃11 of 11

“of them with their eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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 5:11 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 5:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 John 2:16Habakkuk 2:13Proverbs 23:5Psalms 119:36-37Ecclesiastes 6:9Joshua 7:21-25

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