There is a sore evil [which] I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
There is {H3426} a sore {H2470} evil {H7451} which I have seen {H7200} under the sun {H8121}, namely, riches {H6239} kept {H8104} for the owners {H1167} thereof to their hurt {H7451}.
Here is a gross evil which I have seen under the sun: the owner of wealth hoards it to his own hurt.
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:
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Ecclesiastes 6:1
¶ There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it [is] common among men: -
Ecclesiastes 6:2
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. -
Luke 18:22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. -
Luke 18:23
And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. -
Genesis 19:14
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. -
Luke 16:22
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; -
Luke 16:23
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Context
Ecclesiastes 5:13 is part of a larger discourse by "the Preacher" (Qoheleth) on the vanity and futility of earthly pursuits, particularly the accumulation of wealth, when viewed "under the sun"—that is, from a purely human, temporal perspective without divine revelation. This chapter specifically warns against various forms of foolishness and materialism, emphasizing that much human striving for riches ultimately leads to dissatisfaction and sorrow. The verse immediately precedes observations on how wealth can be lost suddenly (Ecclesiastes 5:14) and offers no true security.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV phrase "a sore evil" translates the Hebrew ra'ah chola (רָעָה חֹלָה), which literally means "sick evil" or "grievous evil." This emphasizes the deep-seated, painful, and unhealthy nature of the problem Qoheleth describes. It's not just a minor inconvenience but a profound malady of the human condition "under the sun." The recurring phrase "under the sun" (tachat ha'shemesh) is characteristic of Ecclesiastes, framing the commentary from a worldly perspective.
Practical Application
Ecclesiastes 5:13 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of materialism and the misguided pursuit of wealth. It prompts us to: