Ecclesiastes 5:11

Authorized King James Version

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When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

Original Language Analysis

בִּרְבוֹת֙ increase H7235
בִּרְבוֹת֙ increase
Strong's: H7235
Word #: 1 of 11
to increase (in whatever respect)
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה When goods H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה When goods
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 2 of 11
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
רַבּ֖וּ they are increased H7231
רַבּ֖וּ they are increased
Strong's: H7231
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, to cast together , i.e., increase, especially in number; to multiply by the myriad
אוֹכְלֶ֑יהָ that eat H398
אוֹכְלֶ֑יהָ that eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 4 of 11
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וּמַה H4100
וּמַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
כִּשְׁרוֹן֙ them and what good H3788
כִּשְׁרוֹן֙ them and what good
Strong's: H3788
Word #: 6 of 11
success, advantage
לִבְעָלֶ֔יהָ is there to the owners H1167
לִבְעָלֶ֔יהָ is there to the owners
Strong's: H1167
Word #: 7 of 11
a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)
כִּ֖י H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם thereof saving H518
אִם thereof saving
Strong's: H518
Word #: 9 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
רְא֥יּת H7200
רְא֥יּת
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 10 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עֵינָֽיו׃ of them with their eyes H5869
עֵינָֽיו׃ of them with their eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 11 of 11
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Analysis & Commentary

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them (בִּרְבוֹת הַטּוֹבָה רַבּוּ אוֹכְלֶיהָ, birvot hatovah rabbu okhleiha)—when prosperity multiplies, so do the consumers/dependents. The Hebrew okhleiha literally means 'those eating them,' referring to household members, servants, staff, and parasitic hangers-on. And what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? (וּמַה־כִּשְׁרוֹן לִבְעָלֶיהָ כִּי אִם־רְאוּת עֵינָיו, umah-kishron liv'aleiha ki im-re'ut einav)—the only advantage is visual observation.

Qoheleth identifies wealth's ironic burden: prosperity attracts dependents proportionally, leaving the owner with mere spectatorship rather than actual enjoyment. The term kishron ('advantage' or 'success') recalls the book's recurring question: 'What profit has man from all his labor?' (1:3). Jesus later warned that 'a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions' (Luke 12:15). The wealthy man becomes custodian rather than consumer, watching resources flow through his hands to others—rendering ownership functionally meaningless beyond the psychological satisfaction of 'having.' True contentment comes not from accumulation but from enjoying God's sufficient provision (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

Historical Context

Solomon's enormous wealth (1 Kings 10:14-29) required massive administrative apparatus—officials, servants, traders, guards—all 'eating' from royal resources. His 40,000 stalls of horses and daily provisions (1 Kings 4:22-28) illustrate this principle exactly.

Questions for Reflection