Ecclesiastes 5 9

Ecclesiastes 5:9 kjv

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

Ecclesiastes 5:9 nkjv

Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.

Ecclesiastes 5:9 niv

The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

Ecclesiastes 5:9 esv

But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.

Ecclesiastes 5:9 nlt

Even the king milks the land for his own profit!

Ecclesiastes 5 verses

Ecclesiastes 5 9 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 5:9 expresses a foundational truth about human existence, asserting that the ultimate benefit and sustenance for all humanity flows from the land itself, rather than from accumulated wealth or powerful human institutions. Even the highest authority, the king, is portrayed as utterly dependent on the field's produce for his survival and the stability of his reign. This truth underscores a shared human vulnerability and dependence on God's foundational provision through creation, irrespective of social standing or accumulated riches.

Ecclesiastes 5 9 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 broadly critiques inappropriate conduct related to worship and warns against the emptiness of pursuing excessive wealth. Verse 9 appears directly after the Preacher observes the pervasive nature of corruption and injustice within governmental structures (Ecc 5:8), where higher officials oversee and possibly oppress those beneath them. This earlier verse establishes a cynical view of human power and ambition. Verse 9 then serves as a sharp transition, introducing a fundamental observation that grounds human pride and status: despite the complex human hierarchies of power and finance, every individual, from the humble peasant to the powerful monarch, is fundamentally dependent on the basic yield of the earth. This insight aims to temper human ambition, highlighting the humbling reality that true "profit" or life sustenance is rooted in the natural world, which remains beyond full human control.

Ecclesiastes 5 9 Word analysis

• "Moreover" (וְיִתְרוֹן - ve·yitron): The Hebrew ve·yitron begins with "and" (ve) followed by yitron, a key term in Ecclesiastes meaning "profit," "advantage," or "lasting gain." Often, the Preacher questions if there's any lasting yitron "under the sun" (e.g., Ecc 1:3). Here, it seems to assert that the true, indispensable "profit" or "benefit" is derived directly from the land, not from the vain pursuits of wealth or power. This contrasts the uncertain "profit" of human labor with the tangible yield of the earth.
• "the profit of the earth" (yitron eretz): This phrase specifies the source of this "profit" or "advantage." It's not financial gain or human-made goods, but the inherent, sustaining bounty that comes directly from the "earth" (eretz), referring to agricultural land or cultivated soil. It speaks to the basic produce and yield essential for life.
• "is for all" (bakol hi): The Hebrew bakol means "in everything," "for all," or "universally." This signifies that the life-sustaining benefit from the land is universally accessible and necessary for every human being, regardless of social status or wealth. It serves as a great equalizer, demonstrating a shared dependence among all people.
• "the king himself" (melekh): The melekh (king) represents the pinnacle of human power, authority, and control in ancient societies. His specific mention serves as the ultimate illustration. If even the king, the one seemingly least dependent on anything, falls under this truth, it powerfully drives home the point for everyone.
• "is served by the field" (l'sadeh ne'evad): The Hebrew ne'evad is the passive voice of avad ("to serve," "to work"). The phrase literally means "to the field he is served" or "by the field he is caused to serve/rely." This is a striking reversal: typically, the people serve the king. Here, the sadeh (field, cultivated land) is performing the service of providing sustenance for the king. It highlights the king's profound and inescapable reliance on agriculture for his own survival and, by extension, the prosperity and stability of his kingdom. It underscores that even absolute power ultimately depends on the foundational natural processes that yield food.

Ecclesiastes 5 9 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the theme of humanity's shared and leveling dependence, which aligns with Qoheleth's overarching message about the limitations of life "under the sun." It indirectly critiques societies where wealth or position lead to exploitation, reminding those in power that they, too, are bound by the same biological realities as the lowliest farmer. The statement emphasizes that genuine security and abundance come not merely from economic systems or human governance, but from the foundational cycles of nature orchestrated by God, requiring human effort applied to the land. It also stands as a reminder that material accumulation, while useful, does not grant ultimate independence or overcome universal human vulnerability to hunger and natural cycles.

Ecclesiastes 5 9 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:9 presents a timeless and profound truth that acts as a humbling counterpoint to human ambition and the pursuit of transient wealth and power. In a world often obsessed with accumulation, the Preacher reminds us that our most fundamental needs are met by the simple, constant provision of the earth. By specifically naming "the king"—the emblem of supreme authority and self-sufficiency—the verse powerfully conveys that even the most powerful individual cannot escape dependence on the natural world's yield. This perspective serves to deflate human pride and highlights the limits of control, directing attention to the underlying reality that sustenance, true "profit," comes from God's created order. It calls for a recognition of our shared, foundational reliance on provision that is outside of human schemes or a vault full of gold. Ultimately, it emphasizes that all people are reliant on what the land yields, implying contentment should be found in acknowledging this shared dependence and the Divine Giver of that sustenance, rather than striving endlessly for unsatisfying riches.