Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is one [alone], and [there is] not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet [is there] no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither [saith he], For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This [is] also vanity, yea, it [is] a sore travail.

There is {H3426} one {H259} alone, and there is not a second {H8145}; yea, he hath neither child {H1121} nor brother {H251}: yet is there no end {H7093} of all his labour {H5999}; neither is his eye {H5869} satisfied {H7646} with riches {H6239}; neither saith he, For whom do I labour {H6001}, and bereave {H2637} my soul {H5315} of good {H2896}? This is also vanity {H1892}, yea, it is a sore {H7451} travail {H6045}.

the situation in which a solitary individual without a companion, with neither son nor brother, keeps on working endlessly but never has enough wealth. "For whom" [he should ask], "am I working so hard and denying myself pleasure?"This too is truly pointless, a sorry business.

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, saith he, do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Commentary

Ecclesiastes 4:8 KJV describes a poignant scene of a solitary individual consumed by endless labor and the pursuit of wealth, yet finding no true satisfaction or purpose in it. The verse highlights the tragic irony of accumulating riches without anyone to share them with or pass them on to, ultimately labeling such a life as "vanity" and "sore travail."

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Ecclesiastes (chapter 4) where the Preacher, often identified as Solomon, observes various injustices and paradoxes of life "under the sun." Immediately preceding this verse, he discusses the oppression of the weak and the fleeting nature of human achievements. Verse 8 serves as a stark contrast to the benefits of companionship, which are extolled in the verses that follow, particularly Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two are better than one." The passage critiques a life focused solely on personal gain and accumulation, devoid of relational purpose.

Key Themes

  • Solitude and Isolation: The "one alone" signifies a profound lack of family, friends, or heirs, leading to a life of emotional and social emptiness despite material success.
  • Futility of Wealth Without Purpose: The individual's "eye [is not] satisfied with riches," illustrating that material possessions cannot fill a spiritual or relational void. The question, "For whom do I labour?" underscores the lack of meaning when there's no one to share with or leave an inheritance to.
  • Unending Toil and Dissatisfaction: Despite immense labor, there is "no end of all his labour," indicating a relentless, unfulfilling cycle of work driven by an insatiable desire for more, rather than by necessity or joy. This resonates with the broader theme of vanity (hebel) throughout Ecclesiastes.
  • Vanity and Grievous Toil: The conclusion that "This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail" encapsulates the Preacher's assessment. The Hebrew word for "vanity," hebel, often translated as "meaningless" or "futile," suggests something fleeting, like breath or vapor. "Sore travail" (inyan ra) implies a grievous, evil, or burdensome task.

Linguistic Insights

The term "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel) is a cornerstone of Ecclesiastes, appearing over 30 times. It conveys the idea of something fleeting, ephemeral, or ultimately meaningless when detached from a higher purpose or divine perspective. It's not necessarily "evil," but rather "futile" or "without lasting substance." The phrase "sore travail" (Hebrew: inyan ra) literally means "evil business" or "grievous task," emphasizing the burdensome and unsatisfying nature of such a life.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 4:8 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of wealth for its own sake, especially when it leads to isolation. It prompts us to consider:

  • The Value of Relationships: True richness is often found in shared experiences, community, and meaningful connections, not just material accumulation.
  • Purpose Beyond Riches: Our labor should ideally have a purpose that extends beyond personal gain, whether it's serving others, building a legacy, or honoring God. This contrasts sharply with the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21, who stored up treasures for himself but was not rich toward God.
  • Finding Contentment: The verse challenges the notion that more possessions will bring satisfaction. Genuine contentment comes from within, often through gratitude, generosity, and a spiritual perspective.

Ultimately, this verse encourages us to seek balance, prioritize relationships, and find true meaning and satisfaction in life that transcends mere material accumulation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  • Proverbs 27:20

    ¶ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

  • Luke 12:20

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

  • Ecclesiastes 1:8

    All things [are] full of labour; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:13

    And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all [things] that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

  • Matthew 11:28

    Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  • Isaiah 5:8

    ¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
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