King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:18 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:18 in the King James Version says “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 labou... — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ecclesiastes 5:18 · KJV


Context

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

19

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

20

For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. For: or, Though he give not much, yet he remembereth, etc


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely (הִנֵּה אֲשֶׁר־רָאִיתִי אָנִי טוֹב אֲשֶׁר־יָפֶה, hinneh asher-ra'iti ani tov asher-yafeh)—'Behold what I have seen: it is good, it is beautiful.' The doubled affirmation (tov and yafeh) emphasizes positive discovery after the gloom of verses 13-17. For one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour (לֶאֱכוֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְאוֹת טוֹבָה בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ, le'ekhol velishto velir'ot tovah bekhol-amalo)—to eat, drink, and see good in all his toil.

After exposing accumulation's futility, Qoheleth offers the counter-vision: present enjoyment of God's gifts in the labor itself, not hoarding for an uncertain future. This isn't hedonism—the phrase which God giveth him (שֶׁנָּתַן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים, shenatan-lo ha'elohim) frames enjoyment as receiving divine provision with gratitude. For it is his portion (כִּי־הוּא חֶלְקוֹ, ki-hu chelqo)—echoing 3:22, recognizing God's apportioned gift. Paul later taught similar contentment: 'Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content' (1 Timothy 6:8). This is covenantal contentment—enjoying God's daily bread rather than anxiously hoarding.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This reflects Israel's wilderness experience with manna—God provided daily, and hoarding produced rot (Exodus 16:19-20). Ecclesiastes applies this principle to all labor: receive today's portion with thanksgiving rather than anxious accumulation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What difference would it make to view your daily work as 'portion' from God rather than merely means to accumulation?
  2. How can you cultivate the ability to 'see good' in your present labor rather than only in imagined future outcomes?
  3. In what practical ways can you receive life's simple pleasures (eating, drinking, working) as divine gifts warranting gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
הִנֵּ֞ה1 of 26
H2009

lo!

אֲשֶׁר2 of 26
H834

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

וְלִרְא֨וֹת3 of 26

Behold that which I have seen

H7200

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

אָ֗נִי4 of 26
H589

i

טוֹבָ֜ה5 of 26

it 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

אֲשֶׁר6 of 26
H834

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

יָפֶ֣ה7 of 26

and comely

H3303

beautiful (literally or figuratively)

לֶֽאֶכוֹל8 of 26

for one to eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְ֠לִשְׁתּוֹת9 of 26

and to drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְלִרְא֨וֹת10 of 26

Behold that which I have seen

H7200

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

טוֹבָ֜ה11 of 26

it 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

בְּכָל12 of 26
H3605

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

עֲמָל֣וֹ׀13 of 26

of all his labour

H5999

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

שֶׁיַּעֲמֹ֣ל14 of 26

that he taketh

H5998

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

תַּֽחַת15 of 26
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ16 of 26

under the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

מִסְפַּ֧ר17 of 26

all

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

יְמֵֽי18 of 26

the days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חַיָּ֛ו19 of 26

of his life

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אֲשֶׁר20 of 26
H834

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

נָֽתַן21 of 26

giveth

H5414

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

ל֥וֹ22 of 26
H0
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים23 of 26

which 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

כִּי24 of 26
H3588

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

ה֥וּא25 of 26
H1931

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

חֶלְקֽוֹ׃26 of 26

him for it is his portion

H2506

properly, smoothness (of the tongue)


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 5:18 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 5:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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