King James Version
Ecclesiastes 5:14 in the King James Version says “But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.”
Ecclesiastes 5:14 · KJV
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.
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
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?
KJV Study — Public Domain
“perish”
H6properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
“and he begetteth”
H3205to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
“a son”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
“in his hand”
H3027a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
“and there is nothing”
H3972properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
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.
Ecclesiastes 5:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Ecclesiastes 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge