King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:15 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:15 in the King James Version says “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, whi... — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ecclesiastes 5:15 · KJV


Context

13

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

14

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

15

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.

16

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?

17

All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return (כַּאֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ עָרוֹם יָשׁוּב לָלֶכֶת כְּשֶׁבָּא, ka'asher yatsa mibeten immo arom yashuv lalekhet keshebba)—echoing Job's famous declaration: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return' (Job 1:21). And shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand (וּמְאוּמָה לֹא־יִשָּׂא בַעֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיֹּלֵךְ בְּיָדוֹ, ume'umah lo-yissa va'amalo sheyolekh beyado)—absolutely nothing from his toil goes with him.

This verse provides Scripture's starkest memento mori regarding possessions: we arrive empty-handed and depart empty-handed, rendering accumulation's ultimate futility undeniable. The repetition of 'naked' (arom) and the double negative me'umah lo ('nothing not') emphasize absolute destitution at death. Paul echoed this: 'We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out' (1 Timothy 6:7). Yet the verse isn't counseling passivity—it's exposing idolatry. What we 'carry away' isn't material but spiritual: 'Lay up treasures in heaven' (Matthew 6:20). The only eternal investments are Kingdom works, transformed character, and souls won for Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient burial practices—from Egyptian pyramids filled with goods to Mesopotamian grave offerings—reflected pagan belief in taking possessions to the afterlife. Biblical realism rejected this fantasy, insisting death strips all earthly accumulation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of leaving everything behind change your current spending and saving priorities?
  2. What spiritual investments are you making that will 'carry forward' into eternity?
  3. In what ways might you be living as if you can take earthly wealth with you?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר1 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָצָא֙2 of 14

As he came forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִבֶּ֣טֶן3 of 14

womb

H990

the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything

אִמּ֔וֹ4 of 14

of his mother's

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

עָר֛וֹם5 of 14

naked

H6174

nude, either partially or totally

יָשׁ֥וּב6 of 14

shall he return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָלֶ֖כֶת7 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

כְּשֶׁבָּ֑א8 of 14

as he came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וּמְא֙וּמָה֙9 of 14

nothing

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

לֹא10 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשָּׂ֣א11 of 14

and shall take

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

בַעֲמָל֔וֹ12 of 14

of his labour

H5999

toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind

שֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְ13 of 14

to go

H3212

to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)

בְּיָדֽוֹ׃14 of 14

in his hand

H3027

a 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


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 5:15 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 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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