Ecclesiastes 5:12

KJV

The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sleep {H8142} of a labouring man {H5647} is sweet {H4966}, whether he eat {H398} little {H4592} or much {H7235}: but the abundance {H7647} of the rich {H6223} will not suffer {H3240} him to sleep {H3462}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sleep of a working man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the overfullness of the rich won't let them sleep at all.

Berean Standard Bible

The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.

American Standard Version

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 5:12 powerfully contrasts the peaceful rest of a diligent worker with the restless anxiety often accompanying great wealth. It posits that genuine contentment and undisturbed sleep are not found in material accumulation but in honest labor and a simpler existence, revealing a profound paradox where the very abundance people strive for can become a source of their deepest disquiet.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Ecclesiastes (chapters 5-6) where the Preacher, Qoheleth, meticulously dissects the futility and vexation inherent in human endeavors "under the sun"—specifically, the pursuit of wealth, status, and pleasure. Having previously warned against rash vows and the oppression of the poor (Ecclesiastes 5:1-9), Qoheleth now turns his gaze to the insatiable nature of money and its failure to bring true satisfaction (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11). Ecclesiastes 5:12 serves as a poignant illustration of this vanity, offering a direct, tangible example of how wealth can detract from basic human well-being, setting the stage for further reflections on the transient and often burdensome nature of riches in the subsequent verses (Ecclesiastes 5:13-20). The verse acts as a stark counterpoint to the common assumption that more possessions equate to more peace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many agrarian societies, physical labor was a fundamental aspect of daily life for the vast majority. A "labouring man" (`H5647 ʻâbad`) would typically be an agricultural worker, craftsman, or common laborer, whose livelihood depended directly on their physical exertion. Sleep was highly valued as a necessary recovery from strenuous work, often in challenging conditions. Wealth, on the other hand, was primarily concentrated among a small elite—kings, nobles, merchants, and landowners. While wealth was generally seen as a blessing from God, Qoheleth frequently challenges this simplistic view, exposing the potential for riches to become a snare. The cultural understanding would have recognized the common person's need for rest and the relative simplicity of their lives compared to the complex affairs and anxieties that often accompanied significant property and influence.
* **Key Themes:** Ecclesiastes 5:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Vanity and Futility** (`hebel`), demonstrating that material prosperity, though seemingly desirable, often fails to deliver true satisfaction or peace. Instead, it can bring worry and sleeplessness, highlighting the emptiness of chasing earthly gain (cf. [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Blessing of Contentment and Simple Pleasures**, suggesting that genuine well-being is found not in abundance but in the ability to enjoy the fruits of one's labor and to rest peacefully, regardless of one's material possessions (cf. [Ecclesiastes 2:24](/ecclesiastes/2-24 "Ecclesiastes 2:24 - Enjoyment of Labor")). Thirdly, the verse subtly critiques the **Deceitfulness of Riches**, illustrating how wealth can promise security and comfort but deliver anxiety and unrest, a warning echoed throughout biblical wisdom literature (cf. [Proverbs 23:4-5](/proverbs/23-4-5 "Proverbs 23:4-5 - Do Not Toil to Be Rich")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sleep (Hebrew, _shênâh'_):** From `H8142`, this noun refers to the state of slumber. In the context of the "labouring man," it signifies a deep, restorative, and untroubled rest, a direct consequence of physical exertion and perhaps a clear conscience. For the rich, the absence of this "sleep" points to a profound internal disquiet, a lack of peace that even material comfort cannot alleviate.
* **Sweet (Hebrew, _mâthôwq'_):** From `H4966`, this adjective describes the quality of the laborer's sleep. It implies not just the presence of sleep, but its delightful, pleasant, and satisfying nature. It's a sleep that is truly refreshing and brings joy, highlighting the qualitative difference in rest experienced by the two contrasting figures.
* **Abundance (Hebrew, _sâbâʻ'_):** From `H7647`, this term denotes copiousness, fullness, or plenty. It refers to the rich man's overflowing possessions and material prosperity. Ironically, this very "abundance," which one might expect to bring comfort and security, is precisely what "will not suffer him to sleep," becoming a source of anxiety rather than peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet":** This clause introduces the first subject, the "labouring man," whose physical exertion and honest toil lead to a profound and satisfying rest. The word "sweet" emphasizes the quality of this sleep—it is not merely sleep, but a delightful, restorative experience, a natural and earned reward for his efforts. This suggests a deep contentment derived from his work.
* **"whether he eat little or much":** This sub-clause further emphasizes the laborer's contentment. His ability to sleep soundly is not dependent on the quantity of his sustenance or his material possessions. Whether his meals are meager or plentiful, his rest remains undisturbed, highlighting that his peace is internal and not tied to external circumstances or consumption.
* **"but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep":** This clause presents a stark contrast. The "rich" man, despite his "abundance" (his great wealth and possessions), is denied the simple blessing of peaceful sleep. The phrase "will not suffer him to sleep" (from `H3240 yânach`, meaning to allow to stay, to permit) indicates that his wealth actively prevents him from resting. This is due to the anxieties of managing, protecting, or increasing his riches, or perhaps the insatiable desire for more, which robs him of inner peace.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 5:12 masterfully employs **Antithesis** to highlight its central message. The verse is structured around a direct contrast between two figures: the "labouring man" and the "rich." This opposition is further emphasized by contrasting their experiences of sleep: the laborer's sleep is "sweet," while the rich man's "abundance will not suffer him to sleep." This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring the paradox that material wealth, often pursued as a source of security and comfort, can ironically lead to anxiety and unrest, while a simpler, laborious life can yield genuine peace. The use of **Irony** is also prominent, as the very thing that should provide comfort (abundance) becomes the source of discomfort (sleeplessness).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse resonates deeply with biblical wisdom concerning wealth, labor, and contentment. The Preacher's observation aligns with a broader scriptural caution against the deceptive nature of riches, which often promise security and satisfaction but deliver anxiety and spiritual barrenness. True rest and peace are presented not as outcomes of material accumulation but as gifts, often associated with a life of diligent work and trust in God, regardless of one's economic standing. The ability to sleep soundly is a metaphor for a tranquil soul, unburdened by covetousness or the anxieties of possession.

* [Psalm 127:2](/psalms/127-2 "Psalm 127:2 - God Gives Sleep to His Beloved")
* [Proverbs 15:16](/proverbs/15-16 "Proverbs 15:16 - Better Little with the Fear of the Lord")
* [1 Timothy 6:6-10](/1_timothy/6-6-10 "1 Timothy 6:6-10 - The Danger of Loving Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often equates success with material wealth and relentless accumulation, Ecclesiastes 5:12 serves as a timeless and counter-cultural challenge. It forces us to examine our priorities: are we pursuing "abundance" at the cost of our peace, our health, and our ability to genuinely rest? The verse invites us to consider the profound satisfaction that comes from honest labor and a contented spirit, reminding us that true well-being is not measured by the size of our bank account but by the quality of our rest and the tranquility of our minds. It encourages us to cultivate gratitude for simple blessings and to find joy in the present, rather than being perpetually driven by the desire for more, which often leads to an endless cycle of anxiety and dissatisfaction. Ultimately, it calls us to trust God for our provision, freeing us from the burden of self-reliance and the ceaseless pursuit of earthly treasures that cannot deliver true peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What anxieties or burdens does the pursuit or possession of wealth bring into my life?**
* **How does my current lifestyle reflect a valuing of "sweet sleep" and contentment over "abundance"?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of peace and trust, regardless of my material circumstances?**
* **How can I find greater satisfaction in my labor, seeing it as a means to a peaceful life rather than merely a path to more possessions?**

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

Answer: This verse does not inherently condemn wealth itself, but rather highlights the potential negative consequences and anxieties that can accompany its accumulation, particularly when it becomes the primary focus of one's life. The problem is not wealth in a neutral sense, but the "abundance of the rich" that prevents sleep, implying that the *attachment* to wealth, the *worry* over it, or the *insatiable desire* for more, is what robs one of peace. Scripture often warns against the love of money, which is a root of all kinds of evil ([1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Love of Money")). The contrast is between the peace of the laborer and the restlessness of the wealthy, suggesting that true contentment is not found in material possessions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 5:12, with its stark contrast between the restless rich and the peaceful laborer, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and teachings of Jesus. Jesus consistently taught against the accumulation of earthly treasures, which are subject to decay and theft, urging His followers instead to lay up treasures in heaven ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). He warned that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, not because wealth is inherently evil, but because it often becomes an idol, a source of trust and security that supplants God ([Matthew 19:23-24](/matthew/19-23-24 "Matthew 19:23-24 - The Rich Young Ruler")). Christ Himself, though Lord of all, embraced a life of humble service and had "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), embodying the "labouring man" who finds rest not in possessions but in fulfilling the Father's will. He offers a peace that the world cannot give, a peace that transcends circumstances and is not dependent on material abundance ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")). The "sweet sleep" of the laborer prefigures the true rest found in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Ultimately, the fulfillment of this verse lies in the recognition that true security, peace, and eternal rest are found in a relationship with God through Christ, rather than in the fleeting and often anxiety-inducing pursuit of worldly wealth.

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

Proverbs 3:24

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

Psalms 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalms 127:2

[It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Jeremiah 31:26

Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.