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.
Original Language Analysis
ט֖וֹב
There is nothing better
H2896
ט֖וֹב
There is nothing better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
2 of 18
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בָּאָדָם֙
for a man
H120
בָּאָדָם֙
for a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
3 of 18
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
שֶׁיֹּאכַ֣ל
than that he should eat
H398
שֶׁיֹּאכַ֣ל
than that he should eat
Strong's:
H398
Word #:
4 of 18
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְהֶרְאָ֧ה
H3318
וְהֶרְאָ֧ה
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ
and that he should make his soul
H5315
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ
and that he should make his soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
ט֖וֹב
There is nothing better
H2896
ט֖וֹב
There is nothing better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
9 of 18
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
בַּעֲמָל֑וֹ
in his labour
H5999
בַּעֲמָל֑וֹ
in his labour
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
10 of 18
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
רָאִ֣יתִי
also I saw
H7200
רָאִ֣יתִי
also I saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
13 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִיַּ֥ד
that it was from the hand
H3027
מִיַּ֥ד
that it was from the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
16 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 3:22Wherefore 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 8:15Then 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 6:17Charge 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;1 Corinthians 15:32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.Deuteronomy 12:18But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.Acts 14:17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.Ecclesiastes 6:2A 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.Deuteronomy 12:12And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.Malachi 2:2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
Historical Context
Ancient Israelite culture valued feasting and celebration as expressions of covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 12:7; 14:26). The ability to eat, drink, and enjoy labor's fruit was sign of God's favor, not mere animal satisfaction. This verse stands against both ascetic denial of pleasure and hedonistic pursuit of pleasure as ultimate. Food and drink are good gifts from God (Psalm 104:14-15; 1 Timothy 4:3-4), to be received with thanksgiving. The verse anticipates Jesus's ministry pattern: He attended feasts (Luke 5:29; 7:36; John 2:1-11), ate with sinners (Matthew 9:10-11), and taught disciples to pray for daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Paul similarly taught that 'everything created by God is good' when 'received with thanksgiving' (1 Timothy 4:4). The Reformers emphasized that earthly vocations and ordinary activities glorify God when done in faith—eating, drinking, and laboring become acts of worship when received as divine gifts.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you cultivate gratitude for simple, daily provisions—food, drink, meaningful work—as gifts from God's hand rather than treating them as entitlements?
- What anxious striving for permanent achievement might God be calling you to release in exchange for grateful enjoyment of present blessings?
Analysis & Commentary
After documenting life's frustrations and limitations, Solomon offers his first positive recommendation: '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 isn't hedonistic escapism but theological realism. The phrase 'nothing better' (ayin tov, אֵין־טוֹב) suggests this is the optimal response to life under the sun. Rather than anxiously striving for permanent achievement (which proves impossible), wisdom receives life's simple provisions with gratitude. The crucial theological grounding follows: 'This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God' (miyad ha-Elohim, מִיַּד הָאֱלֹהִים). Food, drink, and satisfaction in labor are divine gifts, not human achievements. This verse introduces a refrain repeated throughout Ecclesiastes (3:12-13, 22; 5:18-19; 8:15; 9:7-9): godly wisdom receives God's gifts gratefully in the present rather than anxiously grasping for permanent security. The verse balances Ecclesiastes' realism about vanity with affirmation of God's good gifts—temporal pleasures, though not ultimate, are genuine blessings to be enjoyed as from God's hand.