Ecclesiastes 5:15

Authorized King James Version

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As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

Original Language Analysis

כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 1 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָצָא֙ As he came forth H3318
יָצָא֙ As he came forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 2 of 14
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִבֶּ֣טֶן womb H990
מִבֶּ֣טֶן womb
Strong's: H990
Word #: 3 of 14
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
אִמּ֔וֹ of his mother's H517
אִמּ֔וֹ of his mother's
Strong's: H517
Word #: 4 of 14
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
עָר֛וֹם naked H6174
עָר֛וֹם naked
Strong's: H6174
Word #: 5 of 14
nude, either partially or totally
יָשׁ֥וּב shall he return H7725
יָשׁ֥וּב shall he return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 6 of 14
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לָלֶ֖כֶת H1980
לָלֶ֖כֶת
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כְּשֶׁבָּ֑א as he came H935
כְּשֶׁבָּ֑א as he came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וּמְא֙וּמָה֙ nothing H3972
וּמְא֙וּמָה֙ nothing
Strong's: H3972
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִשָּׂ֣א and shall take H5375
יִשָּׂ֣א and shall take
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 11 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בַעֲמָל֔וֹ of his labour H5999
בַעֲמָל֔וֹ of his labour
Strong's: H5999
Word #: 12 of 14
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
שֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְ to go H3212
שֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְ to go
Strong's: H3212
Word #: 13 of 14
to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ in his hand H3027
בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ in his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 14 of 14
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

Analysis & Commentary

As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return (כַּאֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ עָרוֹם יָשׁוּב לָלֶכֶת כְּשֶׁבָּא, ka'asher yatsa mibeten immo arom yashuv lalekhet keshebba)—echoing Job's famous declaration: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return' (Job 1:21). And shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand (וּמְאוּמָה לֹא־יִשָּׂא בַעֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיֹּלֵךְ בְּיָדוֹ, ume'umah lo-yissa va'amalo sheyolekh beyado)—absolutely nothing from his toil goes with him.

This verse provides Scripture's starkest memento mori regarding possessions: we arrive empty-handed and depart empty-handed, rendering accumulation's ultimate futility undeniable. The repetition of 'naked' (arom) and the double negative me'umah lo ('nothing not') emphasize absolute destitution at death. Paul echoed this: 'We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out' (1 Timothy 6:7). Yet the verse isn't counseling passivity—it's exposing idolatry. What we 'carry away' isn't material but spiritual: 'Lay up treasures in heaven' (Matthew 6:20). The only eternal investments are Kingdom works, transformed character, and souls won for Christ.

Historical Context

Ancient burial practices—from Egyptian pyramids filled with goods to Mesopotamian grave offerings—reflected pagan belief in taking possessions to the afterlife. Biblical realism rejected this fantasy, insisting death strips all earthly accumulation.

Questions for Reflection