Ecclesiastes 2 24

Ecclesiastes 2:24 kjv

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 nkjv

Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 niv

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,

Ecclesiastes 2:24 esv

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

Ecclesiastes 2:24 nlt

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 2 verses

Ecclesiastes 2 24 Meaning

The verse asserts that there is no greater good or fulfillment for a person than to genuinely enjoy the simple acts of eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in one's laborious efforts. This ability to derive pleasure and contentment from daily sustenance and the work of one's hands is explicitly declared by Qoheleth to be a direct gift, originating solely "from the hand of God," and not achievable by human striving or wisdom alone. It highlights divine providence as the source of true well-being amidst life's often vain and frustrating realities.

Ecclesiastes 2 24 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 2 describes Qoheleth’s exhaustive quest to find ultimate meaning and satisfaction in earthly pursuits "under the sun," apart from God. He details his experimental engagement with pleasure, material possessions, building projects, immense wealth, wisdom, and the results of his intense labor. His conclusion for all these endeavors, when pursued independently of the divine, is consistent: "vanity" (hevel)—meaning breath, fleeting, absurd, or meaningless. Verse 24 marks a pivot within this lament. Having established the emptiness of worldly gain, Qoheleth shifts from describing what is futile to identifying the only genuine "good" achievable in this life: finding contented joy in simple, everyday activities, acknowledging that this very capacity for joy is a direct and gracious gift from God. This conclusion foreshadows similar refrains later in the book (e.g., Eccl 3:12-13; 5:18-20). Historically, the book's setting points to an ancient Near Eastern wisdom context where human achievement and accumulated wealth were often seen as measures of success; Qoheleth challenges this by pointing to a divine source for true contentment.

Ecclesiastes 2 24 Word analysis

• There is nothing better (אֵין טוֹב): `'ein tov` (lit. "no good," or "not good exists"). This is a strong negative assertion, emphasizing that Qoheleth, after exhaustive searching, found no superior alternative. It speaks to an ultimate conclusion about human flourishing.
• for a person (בָּאָדָם): `ba'adam` (lit. "in the man" or "for humanity"). This is a universal statement about the human condition, applying to everyone.
• that he should eat and drink (שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְשָׁתָה): `shei'yokhal v'shatah`. This refers not to hedonistic excess but to the fundamental and necessary acts of sustaining life. It represents the simple, accessible pleasures of everyday existence, which are often overlooked in the pursuit of grander things.
• and find enjoyment (וְהֶרְאָה אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ טוֹב): `v'her'ah et-nafsho tov` (lit. "and show his soul good"). `Nafsho` (his soul/self) denotes the inner person, their desires, emotions, and overall well-being. "Show his soul good" implies a genuine, internal experience of contentment and satisfaction, rather than mere outward display. It's about personal gratification.
• in his toil (בַּעֲמָלוֹ): `ba'amalo`. `Amal` (עָמָל) is a significant term in Ecclesiastes, often carrying connotations of burdensome, wearying, or even frustrating labor (e.g., Gen 3:17-19, toil after the Fall). The emphasis here is on finding good within the context of demanding work, transforming its potentially negative connotation into a positive experience by divine enablement.
• This also, I saw (גַּם־זֹה רָאִיתִי אָנִי): `gam-zo ra'iti 'ani`. "This also" connects the present insight to Qoheleth's previous observations and experiments. "I saw" `ra'iti` emphasizes this as a personal conclusion derived from his lived experience and observation, characteristic of the book's investigative style.
• is from the hand of God (כִּי מִיַּד הָאֱלֹהִים הִיא): `ki mi'yad ha'elohim hi`. This is the crucial theological statement. `mi'yad` ("from the hand of") signifies divine origin and direct action. It means this capacity for enjoyment is not self-generated, not a result of human wisdom or effort, and not subject to chance, but a deliberate bestowal by `Ha'elohim` (God). This transforms the simple act of enjoyment from something mundane or merely human into a profound spiritual gift.

• "There is nothing better for a person... from the hand of God": This whole phrase functions as a profound summary of Qoheleth's wisdom. It states a categorical truth that human search for meaning beyond the gracious gifts of God is futile. True satisfaction is a gift, not an achievement.
• "eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil": This recurring phrase in Ecclesiastes (Eccl 3:12-13, 5:18-20, 9:7-9) defines genuine `tov` (good) as a practical, everyday contentment, contrasting with the vain pursuits of wealth, power, or excessive pleasure. It grounds satisfaction in the mundane activities of life when approached with a God-given perspective.
• "from the hand of God": This pivotal clause reframes the entire discussion. It elevates the capacity for contentment above the fleetingness of "under the sun" observations by revealing its divine origin. It means true pleasure and satisfaction are graces, not wages.

Ecclesiastes 2 24 Bonus section

The concept of tov (good) in Ecclesiastes 2:24, while rooted in common experience like eating and drinking, carries significant theological weight. It refers to the true, ultimate good for humanity, the "highest good" or sum of blessedness. Qoheleth has searched for this good (Eccl 2:3, 3:12, 3:22, 5:18, 7:1, 9:7) through various avenues and ultimately finds it not in a philosophical ideal or grand achievement, but in a divinely gifted appreciation of simple existence. This understanding directly contrasts with the Hebrew Bible's pervasive hevel (vanity/futility) theme, implying that while much of life "under the sun" is indeed hevel, the enjoyment God grants transforms that reality, offering a tangible "good" that transcends human limitation and transience. The repeated nature of this conclusion throughout Ecclesiastes reinforces it as a central message for navigating the inherent complexities and uncertainties of life.

Ecclesiastes 2 24 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:24 stands as a critical hinge in Qoheleth’s exploration of life's meaning. Having thoroughly investigated and rejected the idea that ultimate fulfillment can be found in earthly pleasures, achievements, or wisdom when pursued as ends in themselves, the Preacher arrives at a profound, recurring theological insight. He concludes that genuine "good"—a deep, inner satisfaction and capacity for joy in life's simple, ordinary moments (eating, drinking, finding delight in one’s labor)—is not a byproduct of human striving or a consequence of accumulation, but an exclusive and gracious gift bestowed by God.

This verse challenges both hedonism and self-sufficiency. It teaches that one cannot simply choose to "eat, drink, and be merry" to escape life’s hardships (as if it were mere hedonistic abandon), nor can one by sheer effort or cleverness wring joy from burdensome toil. Instead, the very ability to experience such contentment, even in a fallen world where labor is often difficult (amal), is rooted in God's active, benevolent providence. It transforms potentially wearying work into a sphere where God’s blessing can be encountered, enabling true satisfaction. The emphasis on "the hand of God" clarifies that real joy in this life is a divinely granted capacity and experience, leading to grateful dependence rather than despair or pride.

Examples:

• A craftsman finding quiet joy and satisfaction in the skilled labor of his hands, knowing the blessing on his work comes from God.
• A family enjoying a simple meal together, realizing the nourishment and companionship are blessings freely given by God.
• A farmer who finds contentment and purpose in the difficult labor of the fields, because the Lord sustains his effort and provides the harvest.