Ecclesiastes 5:17
15 As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.
16 This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?
Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
18 Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
19 Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.
- KJV
- All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
- WEB
- All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.
- ASV
- All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.
- DARBY
- All his days also he eateth in darkness, and hath much vexation, and sickness, and irritation.
- BLB
- Even all his days he will eat in darkness, and having sorrow abounding, and sickness and anger.
- ÅB
- Dessuten spiser han alle sine dager sitt brød i mørket, og mye gremmelse har han og sykdom og vrede.
- OTB
- Alle deres dager spiser de i mørke, med stor frustrasjon, sykdom og sinne.
- B1930
- Dessuten eter han alle sine dager sitt brød i mørket, og megen gremmelse har han og sykdom og vrede.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.
Read in context2 Chronicles 24:24–25
Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.
Read in contextProverbs 1:27–29
when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.
Read in contextJob 21:25
Yet another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, having never tasted prosperity.
Read in context1 Corinthians 11:30–32
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
Read in context2 Kings 5:27
Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.
Read in contextActs 12:23
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Read in context2 Chronicles 16:10–12
Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.
Read in context