Ecclesiastes 5 18

Ecclesiastes 5:18 kjv

Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 nkjv

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 niv

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them?for this is their lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 esv

Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 nlt

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 18 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:18 teaches that it is both good and fitting for a person to genuinely enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as eating and drinking, and to find contentment and satisfaction in the fruit of their labor. This perspective is framed within the understanding that life is brief ("few days") and that these gifts of enjoyment and one's portion in life are ultimately a direct provision from God. It offers a counterpoint to the vanity observed in mere accumulation of wealth, advocating for the wisdom of experiencing divine blessing in the present reality of daily existence and work.

Ecclesiastes 5 18 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 begins by addressing reverence in worship and the keeping of vows (v. 1-7). It then shifts to observations about oppression, injustice, and the deceptive nature of wealth. Qoheleth, the Preacher, laments that despite great accumulation, a person cannot truly enjoy their riches or take them into the afterlife (v. 8-17). The wealthy suffer anxieties, sleepless nights, and the ultimate frustration of losing all they labored for. Amidst this grim reality of the futility of materialism, verse 18 marks a pivot, offering a counter-cultural and counter-intuitive resolution. Instead of succumbing to despair, Qoheleth presents a God-centric path to meaningful living by appreciating what is directly given by God in the present moment, rather than fixating on what cannot be kept. It is a wisdom response to the observed vanities of life.

Ecclesiastes 5 18 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An interjection used to draw emphatic attention, signaling that what follows is a significant observation or a noteworthy conclusion. It cues the reader to pay close attention to this particular insight amidst the general reflections on vanity.

• what I have seen: Implies personal observation, experience, and the derived wisdom of Qoheleth. It’s not mere speculation but a conclusion based on careful consideration of life's realities "under the sun."

• good (טוֹב - tov): Denotes moral rightness, intrinsic quality, and also something pleasing or beneficial. Here, it signifies something truly advantageous and aligned with divine purpose.

• and fitting (וְיָפֶה - v'yafeh): Means beautiful, agreeable, proper, appropriate. The combination with tov suggests a perfect harmony—what is ethically good is also aesthetically pleasing and fitting for human experience. This reflects a holistic understanding of well-being.

• is to eat and drink: These are fundamental human actions, symbolizing basic daily sustenance and the simple, accessible pleasures of life. They represent the practical, physical aspects of living that are universally available and meant to be enjoyed, not merely endured.

• and find enjoyment (וְלִרְאוֹת הֲנָאָה - v'lir'ot hana'ah - lit. "to see enjoyment" or "to see good/profit"): The Hebrew phrase emphasizes the act of experiencing or perceiving pleasure and satisfaction derived from one's endeavors. It speaks to a conscious apprehension of benefit and delight in one's portion. Hana'ah implies benefit or profit derived from something.

• in all the toil (בְּכָל עֲמָלוֹ - b'chol 'amalo):

  • toil (עָמָל - 'amal): A key term in Ecclesiastes. It signifies burdensome labor, exhausting effort, struggle, trouble, or the pain associated with work. Crucially, it also refers to the product or outcome of that labor. This duality is vital: it is about finding enjoyment not despite the difficulty of work, but in the very labor and its yield. This challenges the common perception of 'amal as pure vanity.
  • with which one toils: Reinforces that this enjoyment is deeply connected to personal effort and the outcome of that effort.

• under the sun (תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ - tachat hashamesh): A hallmark phrase in Ecclesiastes, referring to the earthly, temporal sphere of human existence, devoid of eternal or divine perspective in other contexts. Here, however, it's about finding joy within these earthly limitations, precisely because God provides.

• the few days of his life: A poignant reminder of human mortality and the brevity of earthly existence. It adds urgency to the message: enjoyment must be seized in the present, as life is fleeting.

• that God has given him: This is the crucial theological anchor. It declares that life itself, along with the capacity for enjoyment and the fruit of one's labor, is a direct, gracious gift from the Creator. This perspective transforms what might otherwise be considered mundane or even vanity into a sacred blessing.

• for this is his lot (כִּי־הוּא חֶלְקוֹ - ki hu chelkho):

  • lot (חֵלֶק - chelek): Means portion, share, inheritance, or destiny. It signifies what has been allotted to a person by God, their divinely appointed portion in life. It emphasizes acceptance of one's circumstances and possessions as divinely ordained. This isn't passive resignation but active, joyful reception of one's allocated blessings.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment": This grouping suggests that genuine human well-being and satisfaction come from engaging with the fundamental realities of life (eating, drinking) and actively deriving pleasure from them. It points to contentment over restless acquisition.
  • "in all the toil with which one toils under the sun": This phrase captures the human condition of work and struggle in this earthly existence. The verse champions the ability to find enjoyment within and from this work, transforming burdensome labor into a source of divine blessing and satisfaction.
  • "the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot": This highlights the divine authorship and brevity of life. The transient nature of life makes the enjoyment of one's divinely-allotted portion all the more vital. It roots human experience in God's sovereign plan and provision.

Ecclesiastes 5 18 Bonus section

The emphasis on enjoying what God gives, rather than chasing external 'success' or enduring futile accumulation, stands in direct contrast to the dominant wisdom of the world which often equates happiness with wealth or power. This verse challenges a focus solely on outcome or amount, instead valuing the experience of life as a gift. The phrase "his lot" (חֶלְקוֹ) also carries echoes of the priestly portions and tribal inheritances in the Old Testament, reminding the audience that a specific, ordained portion from God is intended to be blessed and enjoyed. It transforms "toil under the sun" from a curse into a potential vessel for divine enjoyment.

Ecclesiastes 5 18 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:18 offers one of the key affirmations and recurring resolutions within the book of Ecclesiastes. It provides a theological and practical response to the observations of vanity, especially concerning wealth. While wealth itself often brings vexation and cannot be retained, the ability to enjoy one's daily sustenance and the fruit of one's labor is a genuine, divine blessing. This is not hedonism but a sober, God-centered contentment. The Preacher asserts that appreciating what God provides in this transient life—our portion, our capacity for simple pleasures, and the ability to derive satisfaction from our work—is the truly "good and fitting" way to live. It is an invitation to cease chasing elusive accumulation and instead find joy in the tangible present, understanding that this enjoyment itself is a direct gift from God amidst the brevity of life. It steers one away from both materialistic anxiety and cynical despair, offering a path of grateful engagement with life's given realities.