Ecclesiastes 5:19

19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom 1God has given riches and wealth, He has also 2empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the 3gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:19

Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth
Which include the whole of a man's substance; all his estate, personal and real; and all his goods and possessions, movable and immovable, as gold, silver, cattle, fields, and farms; which are all the gift of God, by whatsoever means they may be acquired or possessed; and hath given him power;
or, "caused him to have dominion" F18, over his wealth and riches, and not be a slave to them, as many are: but to have so much command of them and of himself, as to eat thereof;
comfortably enjoy them; and dispose of them to his own good, the good of others, and the glory of God. It follows, and to take his portion;
which God hath allotted him; to take it thankfully, and use it freely and comfortably; and to rejoice in his labour;
in the things he has been labouring for, in a cheerful use of them; blessing God for them, and taking the comfort of them; this [is] the gift of God;
to have such power over his substance, and not be a slave to it, and to enjoy the fruits of his labour, in a cheerful and comfortable manner; this is as much the gift of God as riches themselves F19.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 (wjylvh) "eumque dominari eum fecerit", Tigurine version; "imperare fecit eum", Gejerus; "dominari eum fecerit", Rambachius.
F19 "Di tibi divitias dederunt, artemque fruendi", Horat. Ep. l. 1. Ep. 4. v. 7.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 In-Context

17 Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger.
18 Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.
19 Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
20 For he will not often consider the years of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 1:12; Ecclesiastes 6:2
  • 2. Ecclesiastes 6:2
  • 3. Ecclesiastes 3:13

Footnotes 1

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