and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ecclesiastes 5:14
What does Ecclesiastes 5:14 mean?
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Ecclesiastes 5:14
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The "bad venture" wasn't necessarily poor business choices; it could be any misfortune, like natural disaster or theft, meaning even responsible living doesn't guarantee security. The verse highlights that a father's deepest pain might be having nothing left to pass on to his son, underscoring the futility of chasing wealth that can vanish so completely.
and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Teacher is reflecting on the futility of labor and wealth accumulation, showing how quickly fortune can vanish. This verse depicts a man who has amassed riches, likely through hard work or trade, only to lose it all through misfortune or bad dealings. Consequently, when he fathers a son, he has nothing substantial to pass on, highlighting the precariousness of earthly possessions and the anxieties that can plague even the wealthy.
We often imagine wealth is secure once earned. But what happens when it vanishes as quickly as it appeared?
Solomon paints a stark picture here. The 'evil travail' can refer to a bad business deal, but it also encompasses any unforeseen disaster. Think of sudden market crashes, unexpected lawsuits, natural disasters, or even theft. The point is that wealth, built with great effort ('labour for the wind' in chapter 5:16), is not guaranteed. It can be lost through no fault of one's own, highlighting the precariousness of trusting in earthly possessions.
This isn't a condemnation of work or prosperity, but a sober reminder that our security is not found in our bank accounts. It speaks to the reality that life is unpredictable, and even diligent effort can be undone by circumstances beyond our control.
What's more heartbreaking than toiling your whole life for your children, only to have nothing left to give them?
The verse culminates in a poignant image: the wealthy man, after losing everything, has a son, but 'nothing in his hand' to pass on. This is the ultimate tragedy in the pursuit of worldly gain – the inability to provide for one's own posterity. The effort, the sleepless nights, the careful planning – all for naught when it comes to leaving a lasting inheritance.
This isn't just about financial legacy. It's about the potential loss of spiritual or relational legacy too, if our pursuit of wealth has come at the expense of investing in our children's character and faith. The verse exposes the vanity of accumulating riches if they cannot ultimately serve their intended purpose, leaving both father and son in a state of profound lack.
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This passage provides a literal example of Samson's strength being compared to the 'spirit of the Lord' coming upon him, mirroring the idea that even a seemingly natural father can have his capabilities supernaturally enabled, or, in contrast, that such help can be withdrawn, leaving him 'nothing in his hand'.
Job 1:21Like Job in this verse, the rich man in Ecclesiastes loses everything suddenly and unexpectedly, highlighting the fragility of earthly possessions and the devastating impact of their loss, regardless of the reasons.
Proverbs 23:5This proverb directly warns against the futility of chasing wealth that can easily vanish, echoing the theme in Ecclesiastes of riches taking 'wings and fly away like an eagle toward heaven.'
Matthew 6:19-20Jesus' teaching on storing up treasures in heaven directly contrasts with the vanity of accumulating earthly riches that can be lost, as seen in Ecclesiastes 5:14, urging a focus on eternal, incorruptible wealth.
Luke 12:16-21The parable of the rich fool illustrates the danger of relying on one's abundance, only to have it stripped away in a single night, mirroring the sudden and complete loss described in Ecclesiastes.
clarkeEcclesiastes 5:14: "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
And he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand - He has been stripped of his property by unfortunate trade or by plunderers; and he has nothing to leave to his children.
wesleyEcclesiastes 5:14: "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
5:14 Perish - By some wicked practices, either his own, or of other men. Nothing - In the son's possession after his father's death.
The "bad venture" wasn't necessarily poor business choices; it could be any misfortune, like natural disaster or theft, meaning even responsible living doesn't guarantee security. The verse highlights that a father's deepest pain might be having nothing left to pass on to his son, underscoring the futility of chasing wealth that can vanish so completely.
The Teacher is reflecting on the futility of labor and wealth accumulation, showing how quickly fortune can vanish. This verse depicts a man who has amassed riches, likely through hard work or trade, only to lose it all through misfortune or bad dealings. Consequently, when he fathers a son, he has nothing substantial to pass on, highlighting the precariousness of earthly possessions and the anxieties that can plague even the wealthy.
The Teacher is reflecting on the futility of labor and wealth accumulation, showing how quickly fortune can vanish. This verse depicts a man who has amassed riches, likely through hard work or trade, only to lose it all through misfortune or bad dealings. Consequently, when he fathers a son, he has nothing substantial to pass on, highlighting the precariousness of earthly possessions and the anxieties that can plague even the wealthy.
"and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand." — The "bad venture" wasn't necessarily poor business choices; it could be any misfortune, like natural disaster or theft, meaning even responsible living doesn't guarantee security. The verse highlight…
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Last reviewed October 2026