Ecclesiastes 5:10

KJV

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that loveth {H157} silver {H3701} shall not be satisfied {H7646} with silver {H3701}; nor he that loveth {H157} abundance {H1995} with increase {H8393}: this is also vanity {H1892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The lover of money never has enough money; the lover of luxury never has enough income. This too is pointless.

Berean Standard Bible

He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.

American Standard Version

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 5:10 profoundly asserts that the relentless pursuit and accumulation of material wealth, specifically silver and abundance, can never truly satisfy the human heart. The Preacher observes a fundamental paradox: the more one loves and acquires riches, the deeper the sense of dissatisfaction becomes, culminating in the declaration that such a pursuit is ultimately "vanity"—a fleeting, insubstantial, and meaningless endeavor that fails to deliver lasting contentment or purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 5:10 is situated within a larger section of the book (chapters 5-6) where the Preacher, Koheleth, offers sharp critiques of various human endeavors "under the sun"—that is, from a purely earthly perspective, without explicit reference to divine revelation. This particular verse follows observations on the dangers of rash vows and the oppression of the poor, transitioning into a direct commentary on the futility of wealth accumulation. It sets the stage for further reflections on the transient nature of riches and the inability of material possessions to bring lasting joy, a theme echoed in [Ecclesiastes 6:7](/ecclesiastes/6-7 "Ecclesiastes 6:7 - All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled"). The verse serves as a foundational statement regarding the Preacher's skepticism toward materialism as a source of ultimate meaning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, silver (Hebrew: *keçeph*) served as the primary medium of exchange and a store of wealth, often weighed rather than coined. "Abundance" (Hebrew: *hâmôwn*) referred to a great multitude of possessions, including livestock, land, and produce, which were indicators of prosperity and status. The pursuit of wealth was a common human aspiration, often seen as a blessing from God. However, the wisdom tradition, as exemplified by Ecclesiastes, frequently challenged the notion that material prosperity inherently led to a good life, warning against the dangers of greed and the fleeting nature of earthly treasures. The cultural backdrop includes a society where land ownership, agricultural success, and the accumulation of precious metals were central to economic and social stability, making the Preacher's critique particularly poignant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ecclesiastes. Foremost is the theme of **vanity** (Hebrew: *hebel*), which permeates the entire book, signifying the fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately unsatisfying nature of all earthly pursuits when detached from a divine perspective. The verse highlights the **insatiability of human desire**, particularly for material gain; no amount of silver or increase can ever truly fill the void within the human heart, leading to perpetual discontent. It also underscores the **deceptive nature of wealth**, which promises satisfaction but delivers only emptiness, a sentiment that resonates with the Preacher's earlier observations on the vanity of all human labor and striving, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - All was vanity and vexation of spirit"). Ultimately, the verse challenges the common assumption that happiness and fulfillment are directly proportional to one's material possessions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **loveth (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** This primitive root signifies having affection for, liking, or being a friend to something or someone. In this context, it describes an intense, habitual, and deep-seated affection or desire directed towards silver and abundance, implying an idolatrous attachment rather than a mere appreciation for resources. It suggests that the problem lies not in wealth itself, but in the heart's orientation towards it—a love that elevates material possessions to a position of ultimate value.
* **satisfied (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** This root means to sate, to fill to satisfaction, or to have enough. The verse's use of the negative ("shall not be satisfied") highlights the perpetual emptiness experienced by those who love silver. No matter how much is accumulated, the craving remains unfulfilled, demonstrating the inherent inability of material things to provide true, lasting contentment. This speaks to a spiritual hunger that cannot be appeased by physical means.
* **vanity (Hebrew, _hebel'_):** This crucial term, central to Ecclesiastes, literally means "breath" or "vapor." Figuratively, it denotes emptiness, futility, transience, or something that is ultimately unsatisfactory and without lasting substance. When applied to the pursuit of wealth, it underscores its ephemeral nature and its failure to provide genuine meaning or fulfillment. The pursuit of wealth for its own sake is likened to grasping at smoke—it promises substance but delivers nothing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver":** This clause presents a direct and paradoxical observation. The one whose primary affection and pursuit is directed towards accumulating silver, the symbol of wealth, will never find true contentment or fulfillment in it. The very object of their desire becomes the source of their perpetual dissatisfaction, highlighting the insatiable nature of greed. No amount of acquisition is ever enough to fill the void created by this misplaced love.
* **"nor he that loveth abundance with increase":** This parallel clause extends the principle. "Abundance" refers to a great quantity or multitude of possessions, while "increase" refers to the revenue or produce derived from one's labor or investments. Just as with silver, the person who loves and pursues an ever-growing accumulation of wealth and its returns will find that this increase never brings satisfaction. The desire for more grows with what it feeds on, creating an endless cycle of wanting.
* **"this [is] also vanity":** This concluding declaration serves as the Preacher's definitive judgment on the preceding observations. The entire endeavor of loving and pursuing wealth as an end in itself, with the expectation of finding satisfaction, is declared "vanity" (*hebel*). It is empty, fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately meaningless in providing lasting joy or purpose. It is a pursuit that promises much but delivers nothing of true value, leaving the individual perpetually unfulfilled.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 5:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two initial clauses ("He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase") express the same core idea in slightly different terms, reinforcing the message of insatiability. The phrase "this [is] also vanity" functions as a declarative **Chiasm** or a concluding **Aphorism**, summarizing the preceding observations with a definitive judgment. The concept of "vanity" itself is a powerful **Metaphor** (or **Simile**), likening the pursuit of earthly gain to grasping at "breath" or "vapor," emphasizing its fleeting and insubstantial nature. The inherent contradiction of seeking satisfaction in something that inherently cannot provide it also creates a subtle **Irony**, highlighting the folly of human striving.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 5:10 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of human desire and the limitations of material possessions. It asserts that the human heart possesses a capacity for desire that no finite object, including wealth, can ever fully satisfy. This insatiability points to a deeper, spiritual longing that only an infinite source can fulfill. The verse challenges the idolatry of materialism, where money or possessions become the ultimate object of affection and trust, displacing God. It aligns with the broader biblical teaching that true contentment and security are not found in what one possesses, but in one's relationship with the Creator and a proper perspective on earthly life.

* [Proverbs 27:20](/proverbs/27-20 "Proverbs 27:20 - Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 5:10 serves as a timeless mirror reflecting the human condition, particularly in modern consumer-driven societies. It confronts the pervasive myth that more money, more possessions, or greater "increase" will lead to ultimate happiness and fulfillment. This verse calls us to critically examine where we place our deepest affections and what we truly believe will bring us satisfaction. If our primary "love" is directed towards accumulating wealth, we are destined for perpetual dissatisfaction, always chasing the next acquisition, never feeling truly "enough." The Preacher's stark declaration of "vanity" reminds us to re-evaluate our priorities, shifting our focus from the fleeting and insubstantial to that which is eternal and truly satisfying. It prompts us to cultivate a spirit of contentment, recognizing that true richness lies not in what we own, but in who we are and in our relationships with God and others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek satisfaction and security in my life?**
* **What does "enough" truly mean to me, and do I find myself constantly desiring more?**
* **How might the "love of silver" manifest in my own life, even subtly?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate contentment and find true fulfillment beyond material possessions?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse condemn wealth itself, or merely the love of it?**

Answer: Ecclesiastes 5:10 does not condemn wealth itself, but rather the *love* of wealth and the expectation that it can provide ultimate satisfaction. The issue is not the possession of silver or abundance, but the heart's idolatrous affection for it (`loveth silver`) and the futile belief that it can fill a spiritual void (`shall not be satisfied`). The Preacher critiques the misplaced hope in material possessions as a source of lasting contentment, declaring such a pursuit to be "vanity" or meaningless. The Bible acknowledges wealth as a potential blessing, but consistently warns against the dangers of greed and covetousness, as seen in [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf") and [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters").

**What does "vanity" (Hebrew: *hebel*) truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Ecclesiastes 5:10, "vanity" (Hebrew: *hebel*) is a key term that encapsulates the Preacher's central message. It literally means "breath," "vapor," or "smoke," conveying the idea of something fleeting, insubstantial, and ultimately without lasting value or meaning. When applied to the pursuit of wealth, it means that such a pursuit, when made an end in itself, is ultimately empty, futile, and incapable of providing genuine or enduring satisfaction. It's like trying to grasp smoke—it appears to be something, but it offers no substance and quickly dissipates. This "vanity" is not moral evil, but rather an existential futility, a striving that yields no lasting profit "under the sun," as the Preacher often notes throughout the book (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 5:10, with its stark declaration of the futility of seeking satisfaction in wealth, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. The insatiable longing that no amount of silver or abundance can satisfy points to a spiritual hunger that only the living God can quench. Jesus Christ, the true treasure, offers a satisfaction that transcends all earthly possessions. He invites those who thirst to come to Him and drink, promising living water that will well up to eternal life, ensuring they will [never be thirsty again](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again"). Unlike the fleeting nature of material wealth, Christ offers an [inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you"). His teachings consistently challenge the pursuit of earthly riches, urging His followers instead to [seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you") and to [store up treasures in heaven](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven"). In Christ, the "vanity" of earthly striving is replaced by an eternal purpose and an [abundant life](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - I came that they may have life and have it abundantly") that truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matthew 6:24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

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.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Psalms 62:10

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart [upon them].