Ecclesiastes 5:13 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:13 mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:13 describes a troubling situation where someone hoards wealth, but instead of bringing benefit, these riches end up causing harm to their owner. The verse points out that keeping wealth for oneself can actually lead to personal suffering rather than security or happiness.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, reflecting on the realities of life "under the sun"—that is, in the everyday world. In this verse, he observes that wealth, when guarded selfishly or obsessively, can become a source of pain rather than a blessing. This statement fits into the book’s broader theme about the limits and dangers of pursuing material gain.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 5:13

• The word "sore" is חֹלִי (ḥōlî), often meaning "sickness" or "pain." Here, it emphasizes that the evil described is not just bad, but deeply troubling or harmful, like an illness.
• "Riches" is עֹשֶׁר (ʿōsher), referring specifically to material wealth or possessions. The verse is not about general blessings, but about tangible, stored-up wealth.
• "Kept" is שָׁמַר (shāmar), meaning to guard or preserve carefully. This highlights the deliberate effort to hold onto wealth, not just having it by chance.
• "Hurt" is רָעָה (ra‘āh), the same word used for "evil" earlier in the verse, showing that the harm is real and significant, not just a minor inconvenience.

Why Ecclesiastes 5:13 matters

• Ecclesiastes 5:13 challenges the common belief that accumulating wealth always leads to happiness or security, showing that it can actually result in personal harm.
• The verse fits into a larger section warning about the dangers of loving money and the emptiness that can come from making wealth an ultimate goal.
• By using strong language for "evil" and "hurt," the verse emphasizes that this is not just a minor problem, but a serious and often overlooked danger in the pursuit of riches.