Ecclesiastes 5:14
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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The phrase "evil travail" can refer not just to bad business deals, but also to losses from external forces like storms, robbers, or lawsuits, highlighting how little control even the wealthy have over their possessions. This emptiness is poignantly emphasized when the man fathers a son, only to realize he has nothing substantial to pass on, a stark reminder of life's uncertainties.
The Teacher has been exploring the anxieties and frustrations that come with accumulating wealth, noting that such riches often bring sleepless nights and don't ultimately satisfy. He's just described how the wealthy man's abundance doesn't ensure him more sleep than the laborer. This verse illustrates the precariousness of wealth by showing how even a rich man can lose everything through bad investments or misfortune, leaving him with nothing to pass on to his son.
Ever felt like you worked hard for something, only to have it slip through your fingers? This verse paints a stark picture of that reality.
Solomon is showing us just how unstable wealth can be.
An Unforeseen Downfall
'Those riches perish by evil travail' means wealth can disappear through bad business deals, unfortunate ventures, or even theft and disaster. It's not just about poor choices; sometimes, despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control can wipe out fortunes.
No Guarantees
What seems secure today can be gone tomorrow. The point isn't to live in fear, but to recognize that our ultimate security isn't found in earthly possessions.
Imagine working tirelessly to build something for your family, only to have nothing left to give them. This verse captures that profound disappointment.
The second part of the verse delivers a powerful, emotional punch.
The Pain of Empty Hands
'And he begetteth a son, but there is nothing in his hand.' This isn't just about the father having nothing; it's the heartbreaking realization that all his labor, all his striving for wealth, has resulted in leaving his child with no inheritance. It's the ultimate vanity when efforts to provide for the future yield nothing.
A Legacy Lost
The desire to leave something behind for our children is natural. But when that inheritance is gone, it magnifies the futility of chasing wealth for its own sake. The verse underscores that true legacy isn't measured by what we leave to our children, but by what we leave in them – their character, their faith, and their relationship with God.
This passage uses the same phrasing to describe Samson's feeling of helplessness and lack of resources, mirroring the helplessness of the rich man who has lost everything.
Proverbs 23:5This proverb directly states that riches have a way of disappearing, aligning with the theme of the vanity of earthly wealth and the potential for sudden loss described in Ecclesiastes.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool highlights the folly of hoarding wealth and the suddenness with which it can be lost, with no guarantee of future security, a core message echoed in Ecclesiastes 5:14.
Job 1:21Job's profound loss, where he states 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord,' resonates with the experience of losing all possessions, albeit from a place of faith and surrender.
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 phrase "evil travail" can refer not just to bad business deals, but also to losses from external forces like storms, robbers, or lawsuits, highlighting how little control even the wealthy have over their possessions. This emptiness is poignantly emphasized when the man fathers a son, only to realize he has nothing substantial to pass on, a stark reminder of life's uncertainties.
The Teacher has been exploring the anxieties and frustrations that come with accumulating wealth, noting that such riches often bring sleepless nights and don't ultimately satisfy. He's just described how the wealthy man's abundance doesn't ensure him more sleep than the laborer. This verse illustrates the precariousness of wealth by showing how even a rich man can lose everything through bad investments or misfortune, leaving him with nothing to pass on to his son.
The Teacher has been exploring the anxieties and frustrations that come with accumulating wealth, noting that such riches often bring sleepless nights and don't ultimately satisfy. He's just described how the wealthy man's abundance doesn't ensure him more sleep than the laborer. This verse illustrates the precariousness of wealth by showing how even a rich man can lose everything through bad investments or misfortune, leaving him with nothing to pass on to his son.
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"and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand." — The phrase "evil travail" can refer not just to bad business deals, but also to losses from external forces like storms, robbers, or lawsuits, highlighting how little control even the wealthy have ov…
