Ecclesiastes 5:13
New International Version
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,

New Living Translation
There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.

English Standard Version
There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,

Berean Standard Bible
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

King James Bible
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

New King James Version
There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.

New American Standard Bible
There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth being hoarded by its owner to his detriment.

NASB 1995
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.

NASB 1977
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.

Legacy Standard Bible
There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their master to his own evil demise.

Amplified Bible
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept and hoarded by their owner to his own misery.

Christian Standard Bible
There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

American Standard Version
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:

Contemporary English Version
I have seen something terribly unfair. People get rich, but it does them no good.

English Revised Version
There is a grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There is a painful tragedy that I have seen under the sun: Riches lead to the downfall of those who hoard them.

Good News Translation
Here is a terrible thing that I have seen in this world: people save up their money for a time when they may need it,

International Standard Version
I have observed a painful tragedy on earth: Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him,

Majority Standard Bible
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

NET Bible
Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.

New Heart English Bible
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners of them to their hurt.

World English Bible
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.

Young's Literal Translation
There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
There is an evil making sick I saw under the sun: riches watched to its owners for their evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There is even another most burdensome infirmity, which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept to the harm of the owner.

New American Bible
This is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches hoarded by their owners to their own hurt.

New Revised Standard Version
There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is also another grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, riches kept by the owner thereof to his own hurt.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There is a disease of evil that I have seen under the sun: wealth that is kept by its owner to his harm
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Futility of Wealth
12The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. 13There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, 14or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.…

Cross References
1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

James 5:1-3
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

Proverbs 11:24-25
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 23:4-5
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Mark 4:19
but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Proverbs 28:22
A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Luke 16:13-15
No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” / The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus. / So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Job 20:20-22
Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure. / Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure. / In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.


Treasury of Scripture

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

a sore

Ecclesiastes 4:8
There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Ecclesiastes 6:1,2
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: …

riches

Ecclesiastes 8:9
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.

Genesis 13:5-11
And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents…

Genesis 14:16
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

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Ecclesiastes 5
1. vanities in divine service
8. in murmuring against oppression
9. and in riches
18. Joy in riches is the gift of God.














There is a grievous evil
The phrase "grievous evil" in Hebrew is "ra'ah cholah," which conveys a sense of profound moral and spiritual wrongness. The term "ra'ah" is often used in the Old Testament to describe not just physical harm but also moral corruption and spiritual decay. This sets the tone for the verse, indicating that what follows is not merely unfortunate but deeply troubling from a moral standpoint. The use of "grievous" underscores the severity of the issue, suggesting that it is not just a personal failing but a societal ill that affects the community and the individual's relationship with God.

I have seen
The phrase "I have seen" indicates a personal observation by the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon. This personal witness adds weight to the statement, as it is not hearsay or theoretical but an experienced reality. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this phrase often introduces observations about the human condition and the futility of life without God. It serves as a reminder that the insights shared are grounded in real-life experiences and observations, lending credibility and urgency to the message.

under the sun
"Under the sun" is a recurring phrase in Ecclesiastes, used to describe life from a purely earthly perspective, without consideration of the divine or eternal. It emphasizes the limitations and frustrations of human existence when viewed apart from God. This phrase sets the context for the "grievous evil" being discussed, highlighting that the issue is a common human experience, observable in the natural world and human society.

wealth hoarded
The term "wealth hoarded" refers to the accumulation and retention of material possessions beyond what is necessary. In Hebrew, the word for "hoarded" can imply storing up or keeping back, often with a sense of selfishness or greed. This behavior is critiqued throughout Scripture, as it reflects a lack of trust in God's provision and a focus on earthly treasures rather than heavenly ones. The act of hoarding wealth is portrayed as contrary to the biblical principles of stewardship, generosity, and reliance on God.

to the harm of its owner
The phrase "to the harm of its owner" reveals the paradox of wealth accumulation. Instead of bringing security and happiness, hoarded wealth can lead to spiritual, emotional, and even physical harm. The Hebrew word for "harm" can also mean "hurt" or "injury," suggesting that the consequences of hoarding are detrimental. This aligns with biblical teachings that warn against the deceitfulness of riches and the dangers of placing trust in material wealth rather than in God. The verse serves as a cautionary tale, urging believers to examine their relationship with wealth and to prioritize spiritual well-being over material gain.

(13) Sore evil.--Ecclesiastes 6:2; Jeremiah 14:17; Nahum 3:19.

Verses 13-17. - Another view of the evils attendant upon riches is here presented: the owner may lose them at a stroke, and leave nothing for his children. This thought is presented in different lights. Verse 13. - There is also a sore evil which I have seen under the sun (so ver. 16). The fact that follows is, of course, not universally true, but occasionally seen, and is a very bitter evil. The Septuagint calls it ἀῥῤωστία; the Vulgate, infirmitas. Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt; rather, preserved by the possessor, hoarded and guarded, only to bring their lord added grief when by some reverse of fortune he loses them, as explained in what follows.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There is
יֵ֚שׁ (yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

a grievous
חוֹלָ֔ה (ḥō·w·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

evil
רָעָ֣ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

I have seen
רָאִ֖יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

under
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the sun:
הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (haš·šā·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

wealth
עֹ֛שֶׁר (‘ō·šer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth

hoarded
שָׁמ֥וּר (šā·mūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

to the harm
לְרָעָתֽוֹ׃ (lə·rā·‘ā·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

of its owner,
לִבְעָלָ֖יו (liḇ·‘ā·lāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a grievous evil which (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 5:12
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