Ecclesiastes 5 17

Ecclesiastes 5:17 kjv

All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

Ecclesiastes 5:17 nkjv

All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.

Ecclesiastes 5:17 niv

All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

Ecclesiastes 5:17 esv

Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

Ecclesiastes 5:17 nlt

Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud ? frustrated, discouraged, and angry.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 17 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:17 profoundly describes the sorrowful and unfulfilled existence of an individual whose life is consumed by the pursuit and accumulation of wealth, yet who lacks the God-given ability to genuinely enjoy it. Such a person lives perpetually in a state of gloom, plagued by intense sorrow, physical infirmity often brought on by anxiety, and deep inner frustration or external vexation, signifying a life devoid of true satisfaction and divine blessing.

Ecclesiastes 5 17 Context

Ecclesiastes 5:17 is embedded within a larger discourse by the Preacher (Koheleth) on the vanity of wealth, injustice, and human toil "under the sun." Preceding this verse (5:10-16), Koheleth observes that the lover of money is never satisfied, the increase of goods only increases those who consume them, and sleep eludes the wealthy anxious over their riches. Furthermore, he highlights the common tragedy of accumulated wealth being lost through misfortune, leaving one with nothing at death, just as they arrived naked into the world. Verse 17 thus serves as a culminating description of the bitter daily experience of such an individual—one whose life, despite material abundance, is defined by joyless consumption, profound distress, and inner turmoil. It stands in stark contrast to the divine gift of finding enjoyment in one's labor, as expressed in subsequent verses (5:18-20), which portray contentment and happiness as originating from God's hand.

Ecclesiastes 5 17 Word analysis

• All his days: This phrase emphasizes the totality and unceasing nature of the condition described. It indicates that the individual's entire life is characterized by this misery, not just isolated moments. There is no respite, no break from this internal state, suggesting a pervasive and chronic condition tied to their worldly pursuits.
• also: This serves as a connective, linking the current description to the previously established unfortunate conditions of the miser—the dissatisfaction, the anxiety, the eventual loss of wealth. It signifies that this perpetual suffering is an additional consequence of their unblessed accumulation.
• he eats: More than simply consuming food, this verb signifies living, consuming provisions, or experiencing life itself. It contrasts sharply with earlier positive mentions of "eating" in the book, where enjoying one's food and labor is seen as a gift from God. Here, the act of living and providing for oneself is corrupted and joyless.
• in darkness (בַּחֹ֥שֶׁךְ, bakhoshekh): The Hebrew word choshekh primarily means physical darkness, but metaphorically it consistently signifies gloom, despair, spiritual ignorance, absence of light, joy, insight, or divine presence. It can also imply secrecy or miserly hoarding, as the one who guards their wealth may do so in seclusion and gloom. This figurative "darkness" describes the ambiance of his entire existence—one bereft of clarity, spiritual light, and happiness, indicative of a mind clouded by anxiety and greed.
• and much sorrow (וְכָאֵב֙ הַרְבֵּ֔ה, vekhah’ev harbeh): Ka’ev means pain, grief, or distress. The adjective harbeh means "much" or "many," intensifying the degree of pain. This refers to deep internal suffering, mental anguish, vexation, and profound grief that stems from the futility of their pursuits, anxieties over loss, or the sheer emptiness of a life devoted to transient possessions.
• and sickness (וָחֳלִ֕י, vakholi): The Hebrew choli refers to illness, disease, or physical weakness. In the context of the Preacher's observations, this sickness is often understood as a psychosomatic manifestation of the intense stress, worry, and inner turmoil experienced by those who incessantly pursue and fret over wealth. The burden of constant anxiety and greed often takes a toll on one's physical health.
• and wrath (וָקָ֑צֶף, vakhatsef): The term qatsef can denote divine anger or human rage/fury. Here, it is most commonly interpreted as intense vexation, frustration, or irritation arising from circumstances, the inability to control wealth, or the internal rage that such an unfulfilled life generates. It can also hint at divine disapproval or the natural consequence of misaligned priorities leading to a "wrathful" or discontented spirit. It signifies an angry, resentful disposition, likely self-inflicted, but possibly pointing to an overarching cosmic disharmony.

• Word-Group Analysis:
• "All his days also he eats in darkness": This phrase paints a picture of a joyless, secretive, anxious, and unenlightened existence. The miser’s entire life experience ("eats" symbolizing living) is clouded by gloom, indicating a complete absence of enjoyment and spiritual understanding, contrasted sharply with God’s provision of light and joy.
• "and much sorrow, and sickness, and wrath": This cumulative list vividly describes the multi-faceted misery endured. It encompasses deep emotional anguish ("much sorrow"), physical ailments ("sickness") possibly triggered by anxiety, and intense inner turmoil or external vexation ("wrath"). This tripartite consequence emphasizes the comprehensive negative impact of a life driven by profit without God's blessing. It depicts a downward spiral where inner dissatisfaction translates into visible distress and pervasive ill-feeling.

Ecclesiastes 5 17 Bonus section

This verse perfectly encapsulates Koheleth's recurring theme that enjoyment and contentment are divine gifts, not something achievable through human toil or material accumulation alone. It challenges the conventional wisdom of his time which often directly linked prosperity with a successful, blessed life. The Preacher insists that without the blessing and enabling of God, even abundant wealth leads to suffering. The profound misery described is not just a general malaise but a specific consequence of anxiety about possessions, fear of loss, and the inner emptiness experienced by one who finds no ultimate purpose beyond acquiring. It implicitly sets up the counter-narrative found later in Ecclesiastes, encouraging individuals to find their joy and fulfillment in acknowledging God and living out His precepts, rather than in the fleeting vanity of earthly endeavors.

Ecclesiastes 5 17 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:17 serves as a poignant warning against the ultimate emptiness of a life centered on material accumulation without acknowledging divine providence. It starkly contrasts with God's intention for humanity to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The verse underscores that amassing wealth without the capacity to truly relish it (a capacity the Preacher frequently attributes to God's direct gift) leads only to pervasive misery. The image of "eating in darkness" symbolizes a joyless existence, secretive and anxiety-ridden, devoid of true light or spiritual insight. The subsequent trifecta of "sorrow," "sickness," and "wrath" powerfully conveys the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of such a misguided pursuit. It highlights how avarice leads to a wretched internal state—a heart weighed down by grief, a body debilitated by stress, and a spirit consumed by anger or frustration. This life is utterly devoid of contentment, peace, or divine favor, illustrating that true prosperity is not found in possession but in the right relationship with God and the joyful acceptance of His gifts.