5:17 5:17

Ecclesiastes 5:18

5:19 5:19

Bible Versions

¶ Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.
Behold that which I have seen {H7200}: it is good {H2896} and comely {H3303} for one to eat {H398} and to drink {H8354}, and to enjoy {H7200} the good {H2896} of all his labour {H5999} that he taketh {H5998} under the sun {H8121} all {H4557} the days {H3117} of his life {H2416}, which God {H430} giveth {H5414} him: for it is his portion {H2506}.
This is what I have seen to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, drink and enjoy the good that results from all his work that he engages in under the sun for all the days of his life that God has given him, for this is his allotted portion.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.

Context

Ecclesiastes, often attributed to "the Preacher" (Qoheleth), is a profound book grappling with the meaning of life "under the sun"—human existence apart from a direct, revealed understanding of God's ultimate plan. Leading up to verse 18, the Preacher has explored the vanity of wealth, the futility of striving for more, and the oppression often found in society (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12). This verse, however, shifts to a more positive, albeit sober, conclusion. It's one of several passages in Ecclesiastes that pivot from despair over life's enigmas to an affirmation of enjoying what God provides, seeing it as a divine gift rather than a pursuit of fleeting happiness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Gift of Enjoyment: The central message is that enjoying the simple pleasures of life—eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in the fruits of one's labor—is not merely permissible but is presented as "good and comely" (fitting and beautiful) because it is a direct gift from God. This counters the idea that all earthly pursuits are inherently vain.
  • Contentment with One's Portion: The phrase "it is his portion" signifies that whatever a person receives from their toil during their lifetime is their allotted share, divinely appointed. This encourages a spirit of contentment and gratitude for what one has, rather than endlessly striving for more or lamenting what is lacking.
  • Balance and Wisdom: This verse offers a balanced perspective amidst the Preacher's often melancholic observations. It suggests that true wisdom involves recognizing and appreciating God's provision in the everyday aspects of life, finding joy in the present moment and the results of honest work, rather than in the accumulation of fleeting riches or power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "good and comely" is tov v'yafeh (טוב ויפה), which carries the sense of being both "good" (morally, functionally beneficial) and "beautiful" or "fitting." It implies that this way of living—enjoying life and labor as God's gift—is not just acceptable but inherently proper and aesthetically pleasing in the eyes of God. The word for "portion" is cheleq (חֵלֶק), which often refers to an allotted share, an inheritance, or a division. In this context, it emphasizes that one's ability to enjoy the fruits of their labor is a specific, assigned blessing from God.

Related Scriptures

This sentiment is echoed in several other passages within Ecclesiastes, highlighting a recurring theme of finding joy in God's provision despite life's uncertainties:

  • Ecclesiastes 2:24: "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God."
  • Ecclesiastes 3:12-13: "I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God."
  • Ecclesiastes 9:7-9: "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works."

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 5:18 offers a timeless lesson for modern life. In a world often driven by relentless ambition, consumerism, and the pursuit of fleeting happiness, this verse calls us to:

  1. Cultivate Gratitude: Recognize that the ability to work, earn, and enjoy the simple necessities and pleasures of life is a direct blessing from God.
  2. Find Joy in the Present: Instead of constantly striving for future gains or lamenting past failures, find contentment and joy in the "portion" God has given you today.
  3. Appreciate Honest Labor: See your work, whatever it may be, as a means through which God provides for you, and find satisfaction in the effort and its results. It reminds us that our daily work is not merely a means to an end, but can be a source of enjoyment and fulfillment when viewed as a divine gift.
  4. Embrace Simplicity: The focus is on basic sustenance and the "good of all his labour," not extravagant wealth. This encourages a simpler, less materialistic approach to life.
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.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:24

    [There is] nothing better for a man, [than] that he should eat and drink, and [that] he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it [was] from the hand of God.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:12

    I know that [there is] no good in them, but for [a man] to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:13

    And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it [is] the gift of God.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:15

    Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
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