Ecclesiastes 2:26
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְאָדָם֙
to a man
H120
לְאָדָם֙
to a man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
2 of 22
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לְטוֹב֙
that is good
H2896
לְטוֹב֙
that is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
3 of 22
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
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
H5414
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלַחוֹטֶא֩
but to the sinner
H2398
וְלַחוֹטֶא֩
but to the sinner
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
H5414
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עִנְיָ֜ן
travail
H6045
עִנְיָ֜ן
travail
Strong's:
H6045
Word #:
11 of 22
ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
לֶאֱס֣וֹף
to gather
H622
לֶאֱס֣וֹף
to gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
12 of 22
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
H5414
לָתֵת֙
For God giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְטוֹב֙
that is good
H2896
לְטוֹב֙
that is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
15 of 22
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
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 22
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
הֶ֖בֶל
This also is vanity
H1892
הֶ֖בֶל
This also is vanity
Strong's:
H1892
Word #:
20 of 22
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
Cross References
Proverbs 13:22A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.Proverbs 28:8He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.John 16:24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.Job 32:8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.Genesis 7:1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.Luke 1:6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Historical Context
Ancient wisdom generally taught that righteousness produces prosperity. Ecclesiastes nuances this: God gives joy to the righteous, not necessarily abundance—and even when sinners accumulate, God transfers it to the just. Job's friends assumed suffering indicated sin; Job's experience complicated this formula. This verse emphasizes not automatic prosperity but divine sovereignty in distribution. The righteous may have less materially yet enjoy it more through God's gift of contentment. The Reformers emphasized common grace (God's general provision) and special grace (saving favor). Modern prosperity gospel errs by promising automatic wealth; this verse teaches that God's blessing includes joy in whatever He provides.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you possess God's gift of joy in your current circumstances, or are you laboring anxiously to accumulate?
- How does this verse challenge both prosperity gospel and despair about righteousness bringing no blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
The Preacher reveals divine sovereignty in distribution of life's goods: 'For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God.' The Hebrew 'tov lephanav' (טוֹב לְפָנָיו, good in His sight) indicates those who please God, not those achieving self-righteousness. God gives them 'wisdom, knowledge, and joy'—comprehensive blessing including intellectual, spiritual, and emotional dimensions. Conversely, 'the sinner' (chote, חוֹטֵא) receives 'travail' (inyan, עִנְיָן)—burdensome toil. The sinner labors to accumulate, yet ultimately it transfers to the righteous. This verse teaches divine providence in distributing earthly goods: God sovereignly determines who enjoys what they acquire.