Ecclesiastes 6:2

Authorized King James Version

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

Word-by-Word Analysis

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

A man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִתֶּן

H5414

hath given

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

ל֣וֹ

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙

H430

to whom God

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

עֹשֶׁר֩

H6239

riches

wealth

וּנְכָסִ֨ים

H5233

wealth

treasure

וְכָב֜וֹד

H3519

and honour

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וְֽאֵינֶ֨נּוּ

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

#10

חָסֵ֥ר

H2638

so that he wanteth

lacking; hence, without

#11

לְנַפְשׁ֣וֹ׀

H5315

nothing for his soul

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

#12

מִכֹּ֣ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

יִתְאַוֶּ֗ה

H183

of all that he desireth

to wish for

#15

וְלֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#16

יַשְׁלִיטֶ֤נּוּ

H7980

giveth him not power

to dominate, i.e., govern; by implication, to permit

#17

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙

H430

to whom God

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

#18

יֹֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ

H398

eateth

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#19

מִמֶּ֔נּוּ

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#20

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#21

אִ֥ישׁ

H376

A man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#22

נָכְרִ֖י

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

#23

יֹֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ

H398

eateth

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#24

זֶ֥ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#25

הֶ֛בֶל

H1892

it this is vanity

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

#26

וָחֳלִ֥י

H2483

disease

malady, anxiety, calamity

#27

רָ֖ע

H7451

and it is an evil

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

#28

הֽוּא׃

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

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Topics

Wisdom