Ecclesiastes 5 10

Ecclesiastes 5:10 kjv

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 nkjv

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 niv

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 esv

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 nlt

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 10 Meaning

This verse addresses the insatiable desire for wealth. It states that the love of money never ceases to grow, and as possessions increase, so does the number of those who consume them, ultimately leaving the owner with nothing of lasting value or enjoyment from his wealth.

Ecclesiastes 5 10 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 continues the theme of the vanities of life under the sun, as explored by the Preacher (likely Solomon). In this chapter, the focus shifts to specific behaviors and attitudes that lead to disappointment and emptiness. Verses 1-7 warn against rash vows to God and the futility of finding satisfaction in earthly labor or riches. Verse 8-9 highlights the injustice often found in society, where the poor are oppressed and justice is perverted. Verse 10, therefore, directly addresses the relentless pursuit and love of material wealth as a source of ultimate dissatisfaction. The historical context is that of ancient Israel, where prosperity and material gain were often seen as signs of God's favor, but Ecclesiastes cautions against making wealth an idol or the sole source of happiness. The verse counters the contemporary notion that accumulating wealth is the ultimate goal, demonstrating its inherent emptiness.

Ecclesiastes 5 10 Word Analysis

• "lovers" (אָהֲבַת - 'ahavat): From the root verb אָהַב ('ahav), meaning to love, to like, to be fond of. In this context, it signifies a deep, persistent affection and desire for something.
• "money" (כֶּסֶף - kesef): Silver; generally refers to money or wealth.
• "never" (לֹא - lo): A negative particle, meaning no, not.
• "ceases" (יָגִיל - yagil): Root is גִּיל (gil), which primarily means to rejoice, exult, be glad. However, in some contexts, particularly when contrasted with loss or emptiness, it can imply a kind of insatiable delight or, by extension, an unending nature in desire. (Alternative scholarly view suggests it could imply a desire that is never satisfied rather than a joy that never ceases.)
• "to be satisfied" (מַשְׂבִּיעַ - masbia): From the root סָבַע (sava'), to be satisfied, sated, full. Here it denotes contentment or fulfillment.
• "increase" (יִוָּסֶף - yivvasef): From the root יסף (yasaf), to add, to increase, to continue.
• "possessions" (הוֹן - hon): Wealth, substance, property.
• "with it" (עִמּוֹ - imo): With him, alongside him.
• "who" (מִי - mi): Interrogative pronoun.
• "also" (גַּם - gam): And, also, even.
• "consumers" (הַמְכַלְכְּלִים - hamkalkelim): From the root כָּלַךְ (kalak), to consume, devour. This refers to those who consume or use up something, in this case, wealth. The emphasis is on the draining away of assets.
• "of them" (אוֹתָם - otam): Them.
• "so" (כֵּן - ken): Thus, so, therefore.
• "shall he" (יְהִי - yehi): From the root היה (hayah), to be. "He shall be."
• "and behold" (וְהִנֵּה - vehinneh): Behold, look, Lo. Draws attention to a following statement.
• "vanity" (הֶבֶל - hevel): Vain, empty, vapor, futility. The core concept of Ecclesiastes.
• "and the same" (וְאוֹתוֹ - veo'to): And him.
• "shall he" (יְהִי - yehi): He shall be.
• "reap" (תְּלִישׁ - telish): From the root תָּלַשׁ (talash), to pluck, to uproot, to draw out. It signifies removal or uprooting.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The lovers of money never cease to be satisfied": This phrase captures the essence of covetousness – a relentless, unsatisfiable desire for more. It is a spiritual sickness where the heart is never content with what it possesses.
• "nor the lovers of riches with income": This reiterates the same point. The pursuit of wealth is not a linear path to happiness; the "income" or the growth of wealth only fuels further desire, creating a feedback loop of dissatisfaction.
• "When possessions increase, those who consume them increase": This points to the social and practical consequences of wealth accumulation. As one gains more, there are more demands on that wealth – family, dependents, creditors, or simply the overhead of maintaining and protecting it. The Preacher observes that this often leaves the owner with less ultimate benefit from his own possessions.
• "so shall he be; and of what advantage is it to him to see it?": This poses a rhetorical question, highlighting the futility. The accumulation leads to increased burden and reduced personal enjoyment, making the owner's sight of his wealth no advantage. It brings no real fulfillment.
• "all is vanity and a striving after wind": This conclusion is a summation of the experience described – the pursuit and acquisition of wealth, as observed, is ultimately an empty and frustrating endeavor.

Ecclesiastes 5 10 Bonus Section

This verse echoes the ancient Near Eastern understanding of "wealth consumption" where large estates and households required a significant number of dependents, retainers, and overseers. For the individual owner, these dependents could indeed "consume" the produce of his wealth, diminishing the personal enjoyment. From a spiritual perspective, "lovers of money" signifies an inordinate attachment that places wealth on a par with or even above God, which the New Testament consistently condemns as a form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5; Luke 16:13). The sentiment of the verse also aligns with the concept of "Treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:20), contrasting fleeting earthly riches with eternal spiritual riches. The phrase "striving after wind" is the recurring motif of Ecclesiastes, reinforcing the idea that pursuits without eternal value are ultimately fruitless and unsatisfying.

Ecclesiastes 5 10 Commentary

This verse is a stark warning against the consuming nature of greed and the futility of seeking ultimate satisfaction in material wealth. The Preacher observes a universal human tendency to love money and desire more possessions, yet this desire is inherently unfulfillable. Like a drug, the more one takes, the more he needs, and true contentment remains elusive. The paradox presented is that as one's wealth increases, so do the demands and distractions associated with it, often diminishing the owner's personal benefit and enjoyment. The Preacher's observation, steeped in practical experience, leads to the conclusion that such a life devoted to wealth accumulation is fundamentally vain—an exhausting, ultimately unproductive pursuit that offers no lasting substance or joy. The ultimate "consumption" is that the wealth, despite its increase, offers no real security or satisfaction to the possessor, leaving him spiritually impoverished. It emphasizes a deeper, spiritual emptiness that material gain cannot fill.

• The rich man may acquire much but enjoy little.
• Possessions often bring more worry than pleasure.
• True satisfaction comes not from accumulation, but from God.