Ecclesiastes 5:14 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:14 mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:14 describes how wealth can suddenly disappear through misfortune, leaving a person with nothing to pass on to his child. The verse highlights the uncertainty of riches and the reality that even someone who once had much may end up with empty hands.

In this verse, the Teacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) is reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life and wealth. He speaks to anyone who puts their trust in riches, showing that hard times or "evil travail" can wipe away what someone has worked for, so that when a son is born, there is nothing left to inherit. This fits into the wider theme of Ecclesiastes, which questions the lasting value of material things.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 5:14

• "Riches" (עֹשֶׁר, ʿosher): This word refers to material wealth or possessions. The focus is on tangible assets, not just money, making the loss even more striking.
• "Perish" (אָבַד, ʾavad): This word means to be lost, destroyed, or to vanish. It emphasizes that the loss of wealth is total and irreversible in this context.
• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ) and "travail" (עִנְיָן, ʿinyan): Together, these words point to a harmful or troubling event—some kind of misfortune or hardship—that causes the wealth to be lost.
• "Nothing" (אֵין, ʾen) and "hand" (יָד, yad): The phrase means the person literally has nothing left in his possession, underscoring the complete loss.

Why Ecclesiastes 5:14 matters

• Ecclesiastes 5:14 warns against assuming that wealth is permanent or secure, challenging the idea that material success guarantees a lasting legacy.
• The verse connects to the book’s broader message that life’s outcomes are often beyond human control, encouraging humility about what can be achieved or kept.
• By showing that even a diligent person can lose everything, Ecclesiastes 5:14 highlights the limits of human effort and the unpredictable nature of life.