Ecclesiastes 5:14
New International Version
or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

New Living Translation
Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.

English Standard Version
and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.

Berean Standard Bible
or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.

King James Bible
But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

New King James Version
But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

New American Standard Bible
When that wealth was lost through bad business and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.

NASB 1995
When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.

NASB 1977
When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.

Legacy Standard Bible
And those riches were lost through a bad endeavor; and he became the father of a son, but there was nothing in his hand for him.

Amplified Bible
For when those riches are lost in bad investments and he becomes the father of a son, then there is nothing in his hand [for the support of the child].

Christian Standard Bible
That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.

American Standard Version
and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Contemporary English Version
Suddenly they lose everything in a bad business deal, then have nothing to leave for their children.

English Revised Version
and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These hoarded riches were then lost in bad business deals. The owners had children, but now they have nothing to give them.

Good News Translation
and then lose it all in some bad deal and end up with nothing left to pass on to their children.

International Standard Version
and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances. Then a son is born, but there is nothing left for him.

Majority Standard Bible
or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.

NET Bible
Then that wealth was lost through bad luck; although he fathered a son, he has nothing left to give him.

New Heart English Bible
Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Webster's Bible Translation
But those riches perish by evil labor: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

World English Bible
Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And that wealth has been lost in an evil business, and he has begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand!

Young's Literal Translation
And that wealth hath been lost in an evil business, and he hath begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand!

Smith's Literal Translation
And those riches shall perish by evil labor: and he begetting a son, and not anything in his hand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they are lost with very great affliction: he hath begotten a son, who shall be in extremity of want.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For they are lost in a most grievous affliction. He has produced a son, who will be in the utmost destitution.

New American Bible
Should the riches be lost through some misfortune, they may have offspring when they have no means.

New Revised Standard Version
and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And those riches are lost in a bad venture; for when he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And wealth is lost in bad business, for he begets a son and there is nothing in his hand
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Futility of Wealth
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. 15As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.…

Cross References
Job 1:21
saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

1 Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

Psalm 49:17
For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.

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.

Luke 12:20-21
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

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.

James 1:10-11
But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

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.

Luke 16:19-31
Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...

1 John 2:17
The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Proverbs 27:24
for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Mark 8:36
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Psalm 73:18-20
Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. / How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! / Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.


Treasury of Scripture

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

those

Ecclesiastes 2:26
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Job 5:5
Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

Job 20:15-29
He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly…

and he

1 Samuel 2:6-8,36
The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up…

1 Kings 14:26
And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he even took away all: and he took away all the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

Psalm 109:9-12
Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow…

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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.














or wealth lost
The phrase "or wealth lost" speaks to the transient nature of material possessions. In the Hebrew text, the word for "wealth" is "hōn," which can also mean substance or riches. This highlights the idea that wealth is not a permanent fixture in life. Historically, wealth in ancient times was often tied to land, livestock, or precious metals, all of which could be easily lost due to poor management, theft, or natural disasters. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes the biblical teaching that earthly wealth is fleeting and should not be the primary focus of one's life, as true riches are found in spiritual treasures.

in a bad venture
The term "in a bad venture" refers to risky or unwise investments. The Hebrew word "ʿinyan" can be translated as "occupation" or "business," suggesting that the loss comes from a failed enterprise. This reflects the unpredictability of human endeavors and the potential for failure despite one's best efforts. In the biblical context, this serves as a caution against placing too much trust in human wisdom and endeavors, reminding believers to seek God's guidance in all their plans. The conservative Christian view would stress the importance of stewardship and seeking divine wisdom in financial matters.

so that when he has a son
The phrase "so that when he has a son" introduces the idea of legacy and inheritance. In ancient Israelite culture, passing on an inheritance to one's children was a significant aspect of family life and continuity. The Hebrew word "ben" for "son" underscores the importance of family lineage and the expectation of providing for future generations. This reflects the biblical principle of leaving a godly legacy, not just in material terms but also in spiritual heritage. Conservative Christians are encouraged to focus on imparting faith and values to their children, alongside any material inheritance.

there is nothing to pass on
Finally, "there is nothing to pass on" conveys the ultimate futility of relying solely on material wealth. The Hebrew phrase "ʾên bĕyādô" literally means "there is nothing in his hand," emphasizing the emptiness and lack of substance when wealth is lost. This serves as a sobering reminder of the impermanence of earthly possessions and the importance of investing in eternal treasures. From a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the teaching that true wealth is found in a relationship with God and the spiritual legacy one leaves behind, rather than in material accumulation.

(14) Evil travail.--Unsuccessful business.

Nothing in his hand.--The same words occur in a literal sense in Judges 14:6.

Verse 14. - Those riches perish by evil travail; thing or circumstance. There is no need to confine the cause of the loss to unsuccessful business, as many commentators do. The rich man does not seem to be a tradesman or speculator; he loses his property, like Job, by visitations for which he is in no way answerable - by storm or tempest, by robbers, by fire, by exactions, or by lawsuits. And he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. The verb rendered "begetteth" is in the past tense, and used as it were, hypothetically, equivalent to "hath he begotten a son," supposing he has a son. His misery is doubled by the reflection that he has lost all hope of securing a fortune for his children, or founding a family, or passing on an inheritance to posterity. It is doubtful to whom the pronoun "his" refers. Many consider that the father is meant, and the clause says that when he has begotten a son, he finds he has nothing to give him. But the suffix seems most naturally to refer to the son, who is thus left a pauper. Vulgate, Generavit filium qui in summa egestate erit. Having a thing in the hand moans having power over it, or possessing it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
or
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

wealth
הָעֹ֥שֶׁר (hā·‘ō·šer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth

lost
וְאָבַ֛ד (wə·’ā·ḇaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish

in a bad
רָ֑ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

venture,
בְּעִנְיַ֣ן (bə·‘in·yan)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6045: Ado, employment, an affair

so that when he has
וְהוֹלִ֣יד (wə·hō·w·lîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

a son
בֵּ֔ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

there is nothing
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

to pass on.
בְּיָד֖וֹ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:14 Those riches perish by misfortune and if (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 5:13
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