Ecclesiastes 5:11

KJV

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?

KJV (with Strong's)

When goods {H2896} increase {H7235}, they are increased {H7231} that eat {H398} them: and what good {H3788} is there to the owners {H1167} thereof, saving {H518} the beholding {H7207}{H7212} of them with their eyes {H5869}?

Complete Jewish Bible

When the quantity of goods increases, so does the number of parasites consuming them; so the only advantage to the owner is that he gets to watch them do it.

Berean Standard Bible

When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

American Standard Version

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 5:11 profoundly observes the inherent paradox of accumulating material wealth: as possessions increase, so do the demands and the number of those who consume them, ultimately diminishing the personal benefit and true satisfaction for the owner. It critiques the common misconception that greater riches automatically equate to greater happiness, control, or lasting fulfillment, suggesting that the primary "good" derived from vast wealth often reduces to mere visual appreciation rather than deep, personal enjoyment or peace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 5-6) where Qoheleth, the Preacher, meticulously examines the futility of human endeavors and the pursuit of various earthly satisfactions "under the sun." Following warnings against hasty vows and the dangers of oppressing the poor in [Ecclesiastes 5:1-9](/ecclesiastes/5-1 "Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 - Warnings Against Hasty Vows and Oppression"), this verse specifically targets the acquisition of wealth. It sets the stage for further reflections on the insatiable nature of greed in [Ecclesiastes 5:10](/ecclesiastes/5-10 "Ecclesiastes 5:10 - The Insatiability of Greed") and the ultimate inability of riches to provide lasting joy or escape death, as elaborated in [Ecclesiastes 6:1-6](/ecclesiastes/6-1 "Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 - The Futility of Unenjoyed Wealth"). The entire passage contributes to the book's overarching theme of *hebel*—vanity or fleetingness—emphasizing that life's pursuits, apart from God, are ultimately unsatisfying.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel and the broader Near East, wealth was often associated with land, livestock, precious metals, and a large household, which included servants, laborers, and dependents. An increase in "goods" (wealth) naturally led to an increase in "eaters"—not just family members, but also a larger retinue of servants, managers, security personnel, and even tax collectors or tribute demands from rulers. The wealthy landowner or merchant would need more staff to manage, protect, and utilize their expanded assets. This meant that a significant portion of the increased produce or profit would be consumed by those necessary to maintain the wealth itself, rather than solely benefiting the owner. Furthermore, societal expectations often meant that the wealthy were expected to provide for a larger extended family or community, further distributing the "good" of their possessions.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 5:11 contributes significantly to several core themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores **The Paradox of Possessions**, revealing a counterintuitive truth: while one might assume more wealth brings more personal enjoyment, it often brings more burdens and shared consumption, diffusing the owner's direct benefit. Secondly, it highlights the **Diminishing Returns on Enjoyment** from material accumulation. Beyond a certain point, the personal satisfaction derived from wealth plateaus, reducing the owner's "good" to merely "beholding" their riches—a visual, rather than deeply experiential, satisfaction. This contrasts sharply with the popular belief that greater wealth equates to greater happiness or peace of mind, a concept the Preacher consistently challenges throughout [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "The Book of Ecclesiastes"). Thirdly, the verse subtly touches upon **The Illusion of Control** that wealth offers. While one may "own" the goods, the reality is that the actual control and benefit are distributed among many "eaters," diminishing the personal power or pleasure the owner might anticipate. This aligns with Qoheleth's broader skepticism about the ultimate value of human toil and accumulation, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - The Vanity of Toil"). Finally, it reinforces the **Futility of Materialism**, questioning the ultimate purpose of endless accumulation if the primary personal benefit is limited to a superficial appreciation rather than profound, lasting fulfillment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Goods (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This word (H2896) is highly versatile, meaning "good" in its widest sense, encompassing beauty, favor, prosperity, and wealth. In this context, it specifically refers to material possessions, riches, or abundance. The Preacher uses it to denote the very things people strive to acquire, setting up the paradox that even these "good" things do not ultimately yield the expected "good" for their owners.
* **Eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** The verb (H398) literally means "to eat" or "to consume." Here, it is used metaphorically to describe all those who consume, benefit from, or are supported by the increased wealth. This includes servants, employees, business partners, tax collectors, and even the expenses of maintenance and security. The imagery emphasizes that the "goods" are not solely for the owner's personal consumption but are distributed among many "eaters," diluting the owner's direct enjoyment.
* **Owners (Hebrew, _baʻal'_):** This noun (H1167) signifies a "master," "husband," or "owner." It highlights the legal or de facto possessor of the goods. By using this term, Qoheleth focuses on the individual who has accumulated the wealth, only to show how their mastery over it is diminished by the very increase they sought. The "owner" theoretically possesses everything, yet practically benefits very little beyond mere observation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:"** This clause presents the core observation. As one's wealth (goods) grows, so too does the number of people (or demands) that consume or depend on that wealth. This is a practical reality: more land requires more laborers, more businesses require more employees, more assets require more management and security. The "increase" in goods directly correlates with an "increase" in those who derive sustenance or benefit from them, effectively diluting the owner's share.
* **"and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?"** This is a rhetorical question that serves as the Preacher's poignant commentary on the first clause. It challenges the perceived benefit of such accumulation. If the wealth is largely consumed by others or by the demands of its own maintenance, what true "good" or personal advantage does the owner gain? The answer implied is "very little," or specifically, only the superficial satisfaction of "beholding" or looking at their possessions. It suggests a lack of deep, personal enjoyment, peace, or lasting fulfillment derived from the material abundance. The satisfaction is visual, not experiential or existential.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 5:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, where the expected outcome of increased wealth (greater personal benefit) is inverted: "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them." This creates a counterintuitive reality where accumulation leads to diffusion, not concentration, of benefit. Closely related is **Irony**, as the very pursuit meant to secure happiness and control ends up yielding minimal personal "good" for the owner. The owner's "good" is reduced to mere "beholding," an ironic twist on the supposed advantages of riches. Furthermore, the verse concludes with a powerful **Rhetorical Question**: "and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?" This question is not meant to be answered literally but to provoke thought and emphasize the Preacher's point that the personal gain from vast wealth is surprisingly limited and superficial, highlighting the vanity of such pursuits.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 5:11 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of earthly possessions and human satisfaction. It challenges the idolatry of wealth, revealing that material abundance, far from being an ultimate source of "good," often brings increased burdens and diminished personal enjoyment. The verse subtly teaches that true prosperity is not merely quantitative but qualitative, rooted in contentment and wisdom rather than endless accumulation. It aligns with the broader biblical principle that human happiness is not found in what one possesses, but in one's relationship with God and a right perspective on life's fleeting nature. The "beholding" suggests a superficiality that cannot truly satisfy the human soul, which longs for something more enduring than what the eyes can see.

* [Proverbs 27:20](/proverbs/27-20 "Proverbs 27:20 - The Insatiability of the Grave and Human Desire") - "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied."
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Warning Against Covetousness") - "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."
* [1 Timothy 6:7-8](/1_timothy/6-7 "1 Timothy 6:7-8 - Contentment in Godliness") - "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 5:11 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine our own attitudes toward wealth and material possessions. In a world constantly pushing for more, this verse reminds us that the pursuit of endless accumulation often leads to a paradoxical outcome: increased burdens and a diluted sense of personal satisfaction. It challenges us to re-evaluate what truly constitutes "good" in our lives, urging us to seek contentment and fulfillment not in the quantity of our possessions, but in the quality of our relationships, our spiritual walk, and our purpose. True joy and peace are often found in simplicity, generosity, and a recognition of God's provision, rather than in the endless cycle of acquiring and managing more. This verse encourages a posture of stewardship over hoarding, transforming potential burdens into opportunities to bless others and honor God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my cultural assumptions about wealth and happiness?**
* **In what ways might my own "goods" be increasing the number of "eaters" or demands in my life, diminishing my personal enjoyment?**
* **Beyond merely "beholding" my possessions, what truly brings me deep, lasting satisfaction and peace?**
* **How can I cultivate a spirit of contentment and generosity in a world that constantly encourages accumulation?**

### FAQ
**Does Ecclesiastes 5:11 condemn wealth itself, or the pursuit of it?**

Answer: Ecclesiastes 5:11 does not inherently condemn wealth itself, but rather the *illusion* that increased wealth automatically leads to increased personal good or satisfaction. The Preacher's observation is about the practical reality that with more possessions come more responsibilities and more people (or demands) consuming those resources, diminishing the owner's direct benefit to mere "beholding." The book of Ecclesiastes, and the Bible generally, acknowledges wealth as a potential blessing from God (e.g., [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - God Gives Power to Get Wealth")), but consistently warns against the dangers of covetousness, greed, and placing one's hope in riches, as seen in [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches Leads to Fall"). The critique is aimed at the human heart's misplaced trust and the futility of seeking ultimate fulfillment in material things.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 5:11, with its stark observation on the futility of finding ultimate good in accumulating wealth, finds its profound fulfillment in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. While Qoheleth highlights the paradox of earthly riches—that they bring more burdens and less personal satisfaction—Jesus offers a radical alternative: true wealth is found not in what we possess, but in Him and His eternal kingdom. Our Lord Himself lived a life of voluntary poverty, having "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus' Poverty")), demonstrating that true power and purpose do not depend on material abundance. He consistently warned against the deceitfulness of riches, cautioning that "you cannot serve God and money" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving God or Money")) and urging His followers to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")), where neither moth nor rust destroys. In Christ, the "good" that the owner in Ecclesiastes 5:11 merely "beholds" is transformed into an experiential, eternal reality. He is the true "good" who satisfies the soul's deepest longings, offering living water that quenches all thirst ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")) and bread of life that truly nourishes ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The transient, superficial satisfaction of "beholding" earthly goods pales in comparison to the eternal joy and spiritual riches found in knowing Christ, who is our ultimate inheritance and the source of all true contentment ([Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul's Contentment in Christ")).

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 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.

Habakkuk 2:13

Behold, [is it] not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

Psalms 119:36

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Psalms 119:37

¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.

Proverbs 23:5

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for [riches] certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Joshua 7:21

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.