Ecclesiastes 6:2

Context

Ecclesiastes 6:2 is part of King Solomon's (or Qoheleth's) profound exploration into the meaning and value of life "under the sun"—that is, life from a purely human perspective, apart from direct divine revelation. The book frequently returns to the central theme of vanity (hebel), highlighting the futility and fleeting nature of earthly pursuits, including wealth, wisdom, and pleasure. This particular verse builds upon earlier observations about the troubles associated with riches, such as the anxiety of acquiring them and the inability to take them with you after death, as noted in Ecclesiastes 5:10-20.

Key Themes

• The Futility of Unenjoyed Wealth: The verse paints a stark picture of a person blessed with abundant material possessions ("riches, wealth, and honour") and every worldly desire, yet paradoxically, God withholds the ability to actually enjoy these blessings. This highlights that mere possession does not guarantee satisfaction or benefit.
• Divine Sovereignty Over Enjoyment: It emphasizes that true enjoyment of blessings is a gift from God, not an automatic outcome of accumulation. Even when God grants wealth, He retains the power to grant or withhold the "power to eat thereof," meaning the capacity to savor, utilize, or benefit from it. This underscores God's ultimate control over all aspects of life, including human contentment.
• Transience and Loss: The phrase "a stranger eateth it" speaks to the common human experience of wealth passing to others, often those unrelated or unknown to the accumulator. This can happen through death, unforeseen circumstances, or poor stewardship, reinforcing the temporary nature of earthly possessions.
• "Vanity" and "Evil Disease": Qoheleth concludes that such a situation is "vanity" (hebel), meaning empty, meaningless, or fleeting, and an "evil disease." This "disease" isn't a physical ailment but a grievous affliction of the soul—a profound spiritual and existential malady where one has everything but can enjoy nothing.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vanity" is hebel (הֶבֶל), which literally means "breath" or "vapor." It conveys the idea of something fleeting, insubstantial, or absurd. In Ecclesiastes, it encapsulates the book's pervasive message about the impermanence and ultimate emptiness of life's endeavors when viewed apart from God. The phrase "evil disease" (חֹלִי רָע, choli ra') signifies a severe, grievous illness or affliction. It's not a literal sickness but a profound spiritual or existential distress—a cruel irony where one has everything but benefits from nothing, illustrating the deep unhappiness that can accompany great wealth if enjoyment is withheld.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 6:2 serves as a powerful reminder that true richness is not merely in what one possesses, but in the ability to enjoy what God has provided. For believers today, this verse encourages:

• Contentment: Cultivating a spirit of contentment with what one has, rather than endlessly pursuing more, recognizing that true satisfaction is a state of heart, not a measure of possessions.
• Gratitude: Acknowledging that the ability to enjoy life's blessings—whether great or small—is a gracious gift from God.
• Stewardship: Understanding that wealth, honor, and resources are ultimately from God (James 1:17) and should be managed wisely, for His glory, and for the benefit of others, rather than hoarded for oneself.
• Prioritizing Spiritual Riches: Recognizing that the pursuit of earthly wealth without the capacity for enjoyment or without a focus on God's kingdom is ultimately futile. The verse implicitly points to the wisdom of investing in treasures that cannot be lost or consumed by others.