Ecclesiastes 5 14

Ecclesiastes 5:14 kjv

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 nkjv

But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 niv

or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 esv

and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 nlt

Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 14 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:14 reveals the profound instability of material wealth. It illustrates how amassed riches, despite all efforts to secure them, can suddenly and completely perish through an unforeseen calamitous event or a failed endeavor. The verse emphasizes the tragic outcome, stating that even if an individual has an heir, particularly a son intended to receive the inheritance, absolutely nothing is left for him. This underscores the futility of placing ultimate trust and security in temporal possessions, as they offer no guarantee of lasting legacy or even personal provision.

Ecclesiastes 5 14 Context

Ecclesiastes 5:14 is situated within Koheleth's extensive examination of human labor and material wealth. The verses leading up to it (5:8-12) discuss the pervasive nature of economic oppression, the insatiable desire for wealth, and the peace of a laborer compared to the restless anxiety of the rich. Verse 5:13 specifically highlights "miserable riches" kept by their owner to his hurt. Verse 5:14 follows, detailing how such riches not only do no good but are utterly lost. The broader context of chapter 5 thus critiques the vanity of hoarding wealth, emphasizing its transient and precarious nature, an idea further reinforced by the subsequent verse (5:15) about entering and leaving the world naked. Koheleth, speaking from his observation of life "under the sun," constantly exposes the limits of worldly pursuits and possessions, highlighting that true security and satisfaction cannot be found in them. In the historical and cultural context, wealth accumulation, especially through ventures and trade, was fraught with risks such as piracy, natural disasters, political instability, and market fluctuations. Moreover, having a son was crucial for family continuity and the transfer of inheritance, making the loss of wealth before succession a profound tragedy for the ancient Israelite.

Ecclesiastes 5 14 Word analysis

• and those riches (וְעֹשֶׁר הוּא - `va'osher hu'`):
  • `osher` (עֹשֶׁר): Wealth, riches, prosperity. This term refers to the significant material possessions acquired and, in this context, often hoarded. The "those" points back to the "miserable riches" described in the preceding verse (Eccl 5:13), implying wealth that does not benefit its owner but rather brings trouble.
  • This phrase highlights the focus of the accumulation – tangible assets, whether land, livestock, or goods, which were meant to secure the owner and his descendants.
• perish (אֻבַּד - `ubbad`):
  • A Qal Passive form of `abad` (אבד), meaning "to be destroyed," "to be lost," "to perish." The passive voice signifies that the riches do not simply go away on their own accord but are subject to external forces that cause their absolute ruin. This is not just depletion, but catastrophic obliteration of the wealth.
  • The term carries a sense of finality and utter desolation, emphasizing that the accumulated wealth provides no lasting protection.
• by a bad venture (בְּעִנְיַן רָע - `b'inyan ra`):
  • `inyan` (עִנְיַן): Affair, business, undertaking, occupation. Refers to a specific enterprise or course of action involving effort or capital. In context, it strongly implies a commercial or investment venture.
  • `ra` (רָע): Bad, evil, harmful, calamitous. Not merely "unsuccessful" but implies something disastrous or devastating, indicating a significant and detrimental turn of events.
  • This phrase encapsulates the numerous risks inherent in any worldly endeavor, whether it be a shipwreck, a failed crop, a collapsed market, theft, war, or an imprudent investment that backfires catastrophically. It shows how the best-laid plans and most accumulated resources are subject to unpredictable, harmful forces.
• and if he has fathered a son (וְהוֹלִיד בֵּן - `v'holid ben`):
  • `yalad` (ילד): To beget, bear, give birth. This specifically refers to the act of fathering a child, stressing the continuity of the family line through a male heir.
  • In ancient Israel, having a son was of paramount importance, representing the continuation of the family name, lineage, and the recipient of inheritance. The wealth was often amassed not just for the individual but for his progeny, ensuring the family's future and status. This phrase sets up the tragic irony: even the most foundational goal for wealth (inheritance) is thwarted.
• there is nothing in his hand (וְאֵין מְאוּמָה בְּיָדוֹ - `w'eyn m'umah b'yado`):
  • `m'umah` (מְאוּמָה): Anything, something, (with a negative) nothing at all. Emphasizes the utter emptiness and absence of possessions.
  • `yad` (יד): Hand, but often idiomatically refers to power, control, or possession. "In his hand" means "in his possession" or "available to him/his heir."
  • This is a stark, absolute statement of complete destitution. Despite having amassed "riches," the outcome is that the owner, or more tragically, his intended heir, is left with nothing. It highlights the failure of earthly wealth to provide a guaranteed legacy or security.
• Word Group Analysis:
  • "and those riches perish by a bad venture": This opening clause paints a picture of fragility. It connects the mere existence of accumulated wealth to its susceptibility to ruin. The destruction is not just gradual depletion but a sudden and catastrophic loss brought about by some unfortunate, severe turn in an "undertaking." It's a direct commentary on the lack of permanence and inherent risk in material acquisition.
  • "and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand": This second clause intensifies the tragedy. It assumes the most common motivation for significant wealth accumulation: providing for one's heirs. The ultimate outcome, however, is not only that the original accumulator loses his wealth, but that his son, the direct recipient of his life's efforts and the perpetuator of his line, receives nothing. This demonstrates the ultimate futility and potential irony of seeking to build a lasting legacy purely on a material foundation.

Ecclesiastes 5 14 Bonus section

• The "bad venture" (בְּעִנְיַן רָע) speaks to the inherent precariousness of commercial life in the ancient world, where fortunes could be lost quickly due to factors like shipwrecks, banditry, political instability affecting trade routes, or crop failures. The verse is a stark reminder of these pervasive uncertainties.
• This verse acts as a practical illustration of the abstract concept mentioned earlier in Eccl 5:13 – "miserable riches kept by their owner to his hurt." Here, the "hurt" is the complete loss, specifically of wealth meant for succession, negating the very purpose for which it was perhaps acquired.
• The emphasis on the "son" (בֵּן) highlights a culturally significant aspect: the profound disappointment and cultural shame associated with a patriarch being unable to leave an inheritance. This goes beyond mere financial loss; it impacts honor, family continuity, and social standing.
• While the verse warns against the instability of earthly riches, the broader biblical narrative frequently contrasts this with the steadfast, imperishable, and guaranteed inheritance available to believers in God, often referenced as spiritual treasures or an inheritance in Christ (e.g., Col 1:12; 1 Pet 1:4).

Ecclesiastes 5 14 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:14 serves as a sobering caution against the common human pursuit of accumulating material wealth for security and legacy. Koheleth highlights the inherent fragility of such pursuits: riches, though seemingly substantial, can vanish instantaneously due to a single "bad venture" – a disastrous business decision, a market crash, natural calamity, or unforeseen circumstances. The deeper tragedy is revealed in the next phrase: the failure of these riches to even provide for a designated heir. The expected continuation of family prosperity, a core cultural value in ancient Israel, is utterly negated. This verse profoundly underscores that material possessions are unreliable, susceptible to forces beyond human control, and ultimately incapable of guaranteeing lasting security or legacy for oneself or one's descendants. It challenges the assumption that wealth ensures a successful future, forcing a reconsideration of where true and lasting value is found.