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 5:15KJV
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Ecclesiastes 5:15 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“naked” Hebrew H6174 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 2:25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
  • Job 24:7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.
  • Isaiah 20:4 So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

“nothing” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.

“labour” Hebrew H5999 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Psalms 55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

“womb” Hebrew H990 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
  • Job 15:2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
  • Proverbs 18:20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.