Ecclesiastes 5:18
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְלִרְא֨וֹת
Behold that which I have seen
H7200
וְלִרְא֨וֹת
Behold that which I have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
טוֹבָ֜ה
it is good
H2896
טוֹבָ֜ה
it is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
5 of 26
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְלִרְא֨וֹת
Behold that which I have seen
H7200
וְלִרְא֨וֹת
Behold that which I have seen
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 26
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
טוֹבָ֜ה
it is good
H2896
טוֹבָ֜ה
it is good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
11 of 26
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
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲמָל֣וֹ׀
of all his labour
H5999
עֲמָל֣וֹ׀
of all his labour
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
13 of 26
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
שֶׁיַּעֲמֹ֣ל
that he taketh
H5998
שֶׁיַּעֲמֹ֣ל
that he taketh
Strong's:
H5998
Word #:
14 of 26
to toil, i.e., work severely and with irksomeness
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
15 of 26
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
under the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ
under the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
16 of 26
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
מִסְפַּ֧ר
all
H4557
מִסְפַּ֧ר
all
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
17 of 26
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
יְמֵֽי
the days
H3117
יְמֵֽי
the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
חַיָּ֛ו
of his life
H2416
חַיָּ֛ו
of his life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
19 of 26
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָֽתַן
giveth
H5414
נָֽתַן
giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
21 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים
which God
H430
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים
which God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
23 of 26
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
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 2:24There 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.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?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;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.Ecclesiastes 9:7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.Ecclesiastes 2:10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.Jeremiah 52:34And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
Historical Context
This reflects Israel's wilderness experience with manna—God provided daily, and hoarding produced rot (Exodus 16:19-20). Ecclesiastes applies this principle to all labor: receive today's portion with thanksgiving rather than anxious accumulation.
Questions for Reflection
- What difference would it make to view your daily work as 'portion' from God rather than merely means to accumulation?
- How can you cultivate the ability to 'see good' in your present labor rather than only in imagined future outcomes?
- In what practical ways can you receive life's simple pleasures (eating, drinking, working) as divine gifts warranting gratitude?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely (הִנֵּה אֲשֶׁר־רָאִיתִי אָנִי טוֹב אֲשֶׁר־יָפֶה, hinneh asher-ra'iti ani tov asher-yafeh)—'Behold what I have seen: it is good, it is beautiful.' The doubled affirmation (tov and yafeh) emphasizes positive discovery after the gloom of verses 13-17. For one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour (לֶאֱכוֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְאוֹת טוֹבָה בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ, le'ekhol velishto velir'ot tovah bekhol-amalo)—to eat, drink, and see good in all his toil.
After exposing accumulation's futility, Qoheleth offers the counter-vision: present enjoyment of God's gifts in the labor itself, not hoarding for an uncertain future. This isn't hedonism—the phrase which God giveth him (שֶׁנָּתַן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים, shenatan-lo ha'elohim) frames enjoyment as receiving divine provision with gratitude. For it is his portion (כִּי־הוּא חֶלְקוֹ, ki-hu chelqo)—echoing 3:22, recognizing God's apportioned gift. Paul later taught similar contentment: 'Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content' (1 Timothy 6:8). This is covenantal contentment—enjoying God's daily bread rather than anxiously hoarding.