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Ecclesiastes 5:14

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ecclesiastes 5:14

Verse 14 of 20

Scripture focus

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:14

Theological / Devotional

Evil travail. Better, “a bad venture” (RSV), that is, a poor investment or business deal that results in serious loss. Unwise speculation may wipe out a man’s life savings overnight. Constant care is essential if a businessman would hold capital and with it earn a profit.

Begetteth. “Hath begotten” is closer to the Hebrew. The son is here thought of as the prospective heir to his father’s estate.

Nothing in his hand. If the pronoun “his” refers to the father, then the meaning is that at the time of death he finds that he has nothing to bequeath to his son. If “his” refers to the son, then the meaning is that after the father’s death and his affairs are settled, the son finds nothing left of the inheritance he had anticipated. The first suggestion is preferable.

By SdaBc