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.

ECCLESIASTES 6:2KJV
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Ecclesiastes 6:2 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 6:2 mean?

Ecclesiastes 6:2 describes a person who receives riches, wealth, and honor from God, so that nothing is lacking for their desires, but God does not give them the ability to enjoy these things; instead, someone else enjoys them. The verse calls this situation "vanity" and an "evil disease," showing how empty and troubling it is when someone cannot benefit from their own blessings.

In Ecclesiastes, the Teacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) is reflecting on the frustrations and mysteries of life. Here, he points out a specific irony: even when a person has everything they could want, they might not be able to enjoy it, and someone else ends up with the benefit. This observation fits the book’s larger theme about the limits of human control and the unpredictability of life.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 6:2

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): The verse credits God as the source of both the blessings and the limits on enjoyment, emphasizing that both prosperity and the ability to enjoy it are ultimately in God's hands.
  • "Power" (שָׁלַט, shalat): The word translated as "power" means authority or ability. The verse highlights that having possessions is not the same as having the ability to enjoy them—enjoyment itself is a gift.
  • "Vanity" (הֶבֶל, hevel): This word means vapor or breath, often used in Ecclesiastes to describe things that are fleeting, insubstantial, or ultimately unsatisfying. It underlines the emptiness of having much but not being able to enjoy it.
  • "Evil disease" (רָעָה חוֹלִי, ra'ah choli): This phrase combines the words for "evil" and "disease" or "sickness," painting the situation as not just sad but deeply troubling, almost like a spiritual or emotional illness.

Why Ecclesiastes 6:2 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 6:2 challenges the common belief that having wealth and honor guarantees happiness, showing that enjoyment is not automatic and can be withheld.
  • The verse draws attention to the unpredictability of life and the limits of human control, a major theme throughout Ecclesiastes.
  • By calling the situation "vanity" and an "evil disease," the verse highlights the deep frustration and emptiness that can come from unfulfilled desires, even in the midst of abundance.

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.

“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 5:19 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.

“wanteth” Hebrew H2638 · used in 19 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?
  • Proverbs 9:4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
  • Proverbs 12:11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

“disease” Hebrew H2483 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
  • 2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
  • Isaiah 1:5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.