King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:16 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:16 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Ecclesiastes 5:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. It is good: Heb. there is a good which is comely, etc all the days: Heb. the number of the days

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this also is a sore evil (וְגַם־זֹה רָעָה חוֹלָה, vegam-zoh ra'ah cholah)—repeating verse 13's phrase, 'a grievous evil.' That in all points as he came, so shall he go (כָּל־עֻמַּת שֶׁבָּא כֵּן יֵלֵךְ, kol-ummat shebba ken yelekh)—'exactly corresponding to how he came, thus he goes,' emphasizing precise symmetry of arrival and departure. And what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? (וּמַה־יִּתְרוֹן לוֹ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל לָרוּחַ, umah-yitron lo sheya'amol laruach)—employing yitron, the book's signature term for 'profit' or 'gain.'

The 'sore evil' is the absurdity itself: entrance equals exit, making intervening accumulation meaningless from eternity's perspective. The phrase 'laboured for the wind' (ya'amol laruach) is bitterly poetic—one cannot grasp wind, store wind, or profit from wind; it's the ultimate symbol of futility. Hosea used similar imagery: 'They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind' (Hosea 8:7). Yet Ecclesiastes' answer isn't nihilism but redirected ambition: labor for what endures. 'Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life' (John 6:27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The question 'What profit?' resonates throughout Israelite wisdom literature, constantly testing endeavors against ultimate value. This pragmatic theology insisted actions bear fruit—but fruit measured by eternal standards, not mere temporal accumulation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What activities in your life might qualify as 'laboring for the wind'—expending energy with no eternal return?
  2. How can you redirect efforts from accumulation that dies with you toward investments that follow you into eternity?
  3. In what ways does recognizing life's symmetry (naked to naked) bring both humility and liberation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְגַם1 of 14
H1571

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

זֹה֙2 of 14

“And this”

H2090

this or that

רָעָ֣ה3 of 14

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

חוֹלָ֔ה4 of 14

“also is a sore”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

כָּל5 of 14
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֻמַּ֥ת6 of 14

“that in all points”

H5980

conjunction, i.e., society; mostly adverb or preposition (with prepositional prefix), near, beside, along with

שֶׁבָּ֖א7 of 14

“as he came”

H935

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

כֵּ֣ן8 of 14
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יֵלֵ֑ךְ9 of 14
H1980

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

וּמַה10 of 14
H4100

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

יִּתְר֣וֹן11 of 14

“and what profit”

H3504

preeminence, gain

ל֔וֹ12 of 14
H0
שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל13 of 14

“hath he that hath laboured”

H5998

to toil, i.e., work severely and with irksomeness

לָרֽוּחַ׃14 of 14

“for the wind”

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 5:16 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 5:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 11:29Ecclesiastes 1:3Mark 8:36John 6:27Ecclesiastes 5:13Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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