As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
ECCLESIASTES 5:15KJVWhat does Ecclesiastes 5:15 mean?
Ecclesiastes 5:15 teaches that just as a person is born with nothing, they will also leave this world with nothing, unable to take any of their hard-earned possessions with them. The verse emphasizes the reality that material gain cannot be carried beyond death, no matter how much someone works for it.
The speaker is traditionally understood to be King Solomon, reflecting on the limits of human effort and wealth in the broader context of Ecclesiastes. He is addressing anyone who seeks meaning in life, especially those who pursue riches. The verse uses the image of birth and death to highlight the temporary nature of material things and to remind readers that labor and possessions ultimately stay behind when life ends.
The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 5:15
- "נָקֵ֔ב" (naked, transliteration: ‘arom) means unclothed or without possessions. This word stresses the complete lack of material goods at both birth and death, underlining the idea of absolute emptiness in both moments.
- "יָשׁוּב" (return, transliteration: yashuv) means to go back or return. The use of this word connects the end of life directly to its beginning, reinforcing the cyclical and fleeting nature of human existence.
- "עֲמָלוֹ" (his labour, transliteration: ‘amalo) refers to a person’s toil or hard work. The verse points out that none of the results of this effort can be taken along after death, which deepens the sense of futility in striving for material gain.
Why Ecclesiastes 5:15 matters
- Ecclesiastes 5:15 clears up the common misunderstanding that wealth or achievements can provide lasting security or meaning, showing instead that these are temporary.
- The verse emphasizes a major theme in Ecclesiastes: the limits of human effort and the ultimate equality of all people in death, regardless of their possessions.
- By connecting birth and death so closely, the verse encourages readers to reflect on what truly matters in life, setting up the book’s broader search for lasting significance beyond material things.