Ecclesiastes 5:9
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ancient economies were predominantly agricultural. Israelite society was rooted in land allotments (Joshua 13-21), and the Mosaic law protected agricultural life through Sabbath year (Leviticus 25:1-7), gleaning rights (Leviticus 19:9-10), and prohibition of moving boundary stones (Deuteronomy 19:14). Solomon's kingdom flourished economically (1 Kings 4:20-25), but his heavy taxation and forced labor (1 Kings 12:4) oppressed the people. After the kingdom divided, both prophets and wisdom literature critiqued exploitation. Jesus's parables frequently used agricultural imagery, assuming His audience understood farming's centrality. The verse reminds that despite technological progress, humanity still depends on God's creation and agricultural stewardship—a truth ecological crises highlight today.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that even the powerful depend on basic agricultural provision humble your perspective on wealth and status?
- In what ways does modern society obscure the fundamental dependence on land and agriculture that this verse highlights?
Analysis & Commentary
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field—this verse's interpretation is debated. The Hebrew yitron erets ba-kol (יִתְרוֹן־אֶרֶץ בַּכֹּל, profit of the earth is for all) may mean agriculture benefits everyone, or that hierarchy extends everywhere (connecting to v. 8). The phrase melekh le-sadeh ne'evad (מֶלֶךְ לְשָׂדֶה נֶעֱבָד, king for/to the field is served/enslaved) is ambiguous.
Most likely meaning: Even the king depends on agriculture—the field serves him. This highlights human interdependence and agriculture's foundational importance. Despite hierarchies of power (v. 8), everyone depends on cultivated land for sustenance. The greatest monarch cannot eat gold or silver; he needs bread from the field. This levels social distinctions—all humans share fundamental dependence on God's provision through creation. It also may provide context for v. 8: corruption in high places ultimately harms agriculture and thus hurts everyone, including the corrupt officials themselves.