Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

ECCLESIASTES 5:19KJV
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Ecclesiastes 5:19 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 5:19 mean?

Ecclesiastes 5:19 says that when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and also gives them the ability to enjoy these things and find satisfaction in their work, this enjoyment is a gift from God. The verse highlights that both material blessings and the capacity to appreciate them come from God.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, reflecting on the nature of life and what truly brings meaning. In this part of Ecclesiastes, the focus is on recognizing that prosperity and the enjoyment of daily life are not guaranteed by hard work alone, but are granted by God. The verse encourages readers to see satisfaction and joy in their labor as something to be received with gratitude, not as something earned or controlled by human effort.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 5:19

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): The verse twice uses this word for God, emphasizing that both wealth and the ability to enjoy it are directly from God, not just random chance or personal achievement.
  • "Given" (נָתַן, natan): This word appears twice, underlining that both riches and the power to enjoy them are acts of giving from God, not things people simply take for themselves.
  • "Power" (שָׁלַט, shalat): This word means having authority or ability, suggesting that even the capacity to enjoy wealth is not automatic, but something God enables.
  • "Gift" (מַתָּנָה, mattanah): The word for "gift" here stresses that enjoyment of life’s blessings is not a right or a reward, but something freely given by God.

Why Ecclesiastes 5:19 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 5:19 corrects the common idea that happiness from wealth is guaranteed by having more; it points out that the ability to enjoy what one has is itself a gift from God.
  • The verse fits into the wider theme of Ecclesiastes, which often questions the value of human effort and possessions without recognizing God’s role in providing meaning and joy.
  • This verse helps clarify that gratitude and contentment are not just attitudes, but responses to what God gives, shifting the focus from striving for more to appreciating what is already provided.

Where else these words appear

“wealth” Hebrew H5233 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 22:8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.
  • 2 Chronicles 1:11 And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:
  • 2 Chronicles 1:12 Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

“gift” Hebrew H4991 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:7 And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.
  • Proverbs 25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
  • Ezekiel 46:5 And the meat offering shall be an ephah for a ram, and the meat offering for the lambs as he shall be able to give, and an hin of oil to an ephah.

“power” Hebrew H7980 · used in 7 verses

  • Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
  • Psalms 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
  • Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

“this” Hebrew H2090 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 18:4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
  • 2 Kings 6:19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?