Ecclesiastes 10:19

Authorized King James Version

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A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

Original Language Analysis

לִשְׂחוֹק֙ for laughter H7814
לִשְׂחוֹק֙ for laughter
Strong's: H7814
Word #: 1 of 10
laughter (in merriment or defiance)
עֹשִׂ֣ים is made H6213
עֹשִׂ֣ים is made
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לֶ֔חֶם A feast H3899
לֶ֔חֶם A feast
Strong's: H3899
Word #: 3 of 10
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וְיַ֖יִן and wine H3196
וְיַ֖יִן and wine
Strong's: H3196
Word #: 4 of 10
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
יְשַׂמַּ֣ח maketh merry H8055
יְשַׂמַּ֣ח maketh merry
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 5 of 10
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
חַיִּ֑ים H2416
חַיִּ֑ים
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 6 of 10
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְהַכֶּ֖סֶף but money H3701
וְהַכֶּ֖סֶף but money
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 7 of 10
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
יַעֲנֶ֥ה answereth H6030
יַעֲנֶ֥ה answereth
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 8 of 10
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּֽל׃ H3605
הַכֹּֽל׃
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

Analysis & Commentary

A feast is made for laughter (לִשְׂחוֹק עֹשִׂים לֶחֶם, lishoq osim lechem)—literally 'for laughter they make bread/feast,' from lechem (bread, food). And wine maketh merry (וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח חַיִּים, veyayin yesamach chayim)—'and wine gladdens life,' using samach (to rejoice, be glad). But money answereth all things (וְהַכֶּסֶף יַעֲנֶה אֶת־הַכֹּל, veha-kesef ya'aneh et-hakol)—'but silver answers everything,' from anah (to answer, respond to needs).

This verse has generated interpretation debate: Is it endorsing materialism or describing reality cynically? Context (v. 16-18 contrasting wise and foolish leadership) suggests the latter—observing money's practical power in earthly affairs. Lechem (feasts) bring shoq (laughter), yayin (wine) creates simchah (joy)—legitimate pleasures. But kesef (silver/money) ya'aneh hakol (answers everything)—money provides practical solutions in this world. This isn't prescriptive ('pursue money!') but descriptive ('money functions powerfully'). Yet Scripture elsewhere warns money cannot answer what ultimately matters: 'What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?' (Mark 8:36). Money 'answers' earthly needs but not eternal questions.

Historical Context

Ancient economies, though less monetized than modern ones, recognized silver's universal exchange function—it 'answered' needs by facilitating trade, enabling purchases, providing security. This reality hasn't changed across millennia.

Questions for Reflection