Ecclesiastes 5 12

Ecclesiastes 5:12 kjv

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 nkjv

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 niv

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 esv

Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5:12 nlt

People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night's sleep.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 12 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:12 profoundly observes a striking paradox of human experience: a working person, regardless of their financial state, enjoys deep, undisturbed rest. In contrast, the wealthy person's abundance often robs them of restful sleep, due to the worries and anxieties that accompany great possessions. The verse highlights that true peace and contentment are not found in material accumulation but can be readily available through diligent labor and a simple heart.

Ecclesiastes 5 12 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 specifically delves into the pitfalls and deceptions associated with wealth. It begins by admonishing proper conduct and reverence when approaching God, emphasizing keeping one's vows and fearing the divine. Following this, the Preacher (Qoheleth) shifts his focus to the corrupt realities of human society, observing governmental oppression and injustice, which paradoxically leads to another observation: "For the owner benefits from the land" (v. 9), hinting that even in corrupt systems, one's livelihood might depend on working the land. Verse 10 explicitly states the futility of loving money and the insatiable desire for more wealth. Verse 12 serves as a stark contrast to this endless pursuit, highlighting that far from bringing peace, excessive riches often lead to sleepless nights, worry, and ultimate dissatisfaction. It stands as a vivid example of Qoheleth's central theme of "vanity" or "futility under the sun," demonstrating that even apparent blessings like wealth can turn into burdens without God.

Ecclesiastes 5 12 Word analysis

• The sleep (shenath, שְׁנַת): This Hebrew noun refers to the natural, restful state of sleep. Its pairing with "sweet" emphasizes its quality.
• of a laboring man (ha-ôbed, הָעֹבֵד): "Laboring man" indicates someone who earns their living through work or effort. This is not idleness but active participation in provision, whether physical or mental. The sweetness of sleep is directly linked to the honest exhaustion from work.
• is sweet (arebhah, עֲרֵבָה): Meaning pleasant, delightful, agreeable. This term underscores the genuine enjoyment and deep peace experienced by the worker in their rest, irrespective of external circumstances.
• whether he eat little or much: (im meat weim harbeh yokhel`, אִם מְעַט וְאִם הַרְבֵּה יֹאכֵל): This phrase highlights contentment, emphasizing that the quantity of food (representing provision or abundance) does not affect the worker's quality of sleep. Their satisfaction and rest are not dependent on how much they possess, only on having enough to sustain themselves through honest effort. It points to a mental and spiritual state unburdened by material excess or anxiety over lack.
• but the abundance (weha-ssâba לֶעָשִׁיר): "Abundance" (śava) refers to being full, satiated, or having a superabundance. In this context, it carries a subtle negative connotation of excess or over-satiety rather than merely sufficiency. It's the "stuffing" or "surfeit" that prevents rest.
• of the rich (leashir`, עָשִׁיר): Refers to a wealthy person, someone with many possessions or riches. The contrast is sharp: one earns through labor, the other possesses through accumulation.
• will not suffer him to sleep. (einennu manniah lo lishon, אֵינֶנּוּ מַנִּיחַ לוֹ לִישׂוֹן): This strong negative implies that his wealth "does not permit him to rest," or "does not let him lie down." The richness, rather than providing security and ease, actively becomes a source of unrest, anxiety, and sleeplessness. The wealth itself becomes the burden.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "The sleep of a laboring man is sweet": This highlights a simple, profound truth. Honest toil, though potentially arduous, yields a deeply satisfying rest. This is a divine order; human effort leads to proper bodily and mental rejuvenation. The "sweetness" comes from genuine fatigue and an uncluttered mind.
• "whether he eat little or much": This phrase introduces the concept of contentment. The quantity of food (symbolizing material provision) is irrelevant to the quality of sleep for the laborer. Their peace comes from labor and perhaps trust in God for daily sustenance, not from the size of their stores.
• "but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep": This is the poignant counterpoint. The vastness of possessions, far from granting peace, often brings anxiety, fear of loss, concerns about management, security, and the endless desire for more. It illustrates that worldly acquisition, when sought as an end in itself, becomes a burden, not a blessing of peace. This isn't just a lack of physical comfort, but a deep spiritual and psychological dis-ease that prevents true rest.

Ecclesiastes 5 12 Bonus section

• This verse subtly highlights that anxiety (whether over lack or over possession) is a primary antagonist to true rest. The laborer has less to worry about in terms of loss, and is less burdened by complex financial decisions.
• It serves as a counter-cultural proverb, challenging the human tendency to believe that all problems would vanish if only one had more money. The Preacher shows that more money often brings different problems, particularly inner unrest.
• The "sweetness" of the laborer's sleep suggests a kind of internal justice or reward for diligent effort, a gift that wealth cannot purchase.

Ecclesiastes 5 12 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:12 masterfully uses a relatable image – sleep – to expose a core problem with an overemphasis on material wealth. Qoheleth, through direct observation "under the sun," finds that true rest and contentment are not a byproduct of financial abundance. The laborer, weary from an honest day's work, falls into a deep and peaceful slumber, whether their meal was meager or plentiful. Their weariness is physical and wholesome, leading to natural rest. Their limited possessions mean fewer worries, simpler needs, and perhaps a greater reliance on divine providence.

Conversely, the wealthy individual, surrounded by their "abundance," is depicted as deprived of this simple blessing. Their sleeplessness is not from physical exertion but from mental turmoil: anxieties over protecting their wealth, worries about investments, the burden of managing large sums, the fear of theft, and perhaps the gnawing realization that despite everything, inner satisfaction remains elusive. The insatiable nature of greed (alluded to in v. 10) also contributes to this unrest, as more possessions often only lead to the desire for even greater accumulation, thereby preventing genuine peace. This verse challenges the common notion that more possessions equate to more peace or security, suggesting quite the opposite effect. It's a reminder that genuine peace flows from simple contentment, trust, and labor, not from material riches alone.