What does Ecclesiastes 5:11 mean?
"When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?" - Ecclesiastes 5:11
Ecclesiastes 5:11 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"
As one of the most profound and philosophical books in the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes addresses the futility of human efforts and the vanity of earthly pursuits. In the context of Ecclesiastes 5:11, the verse delves into the theme of wealth and its fleeting nature, challenging the reader to consider the ultimate significance of material possessions and riches.
The verse begins with the observation that when goods increase, those who consume them also increase. This can be interpreted as a universal truth about wealth and abundance – as one's possessions grow, so do the demands and desires of those around them. Whether it be family members, employees, or even the government, an increase in wealth often results in an increase in people seeking a share in it. This sentiment is echoed in the popular phrase, "More money, more problems."
The second part of the verse poses a thought-provoking question: "what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?" This rhetorical question challenges the reader to consider the true value of wealth and possessions. In essence, the verse suggests that merely owning and observing one's riches may offer little true benefit or fulfillment. The accumulation of wealth, while seemingly desirable, ultimately provides little more than the experience of looking upon it.
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder about the illusory nature of wealth and its inability to bring lasting satisfaction or meaning. It aligns with the broader theme of Ecclesiastes, which emphasizes the transitory nature of human life and the futility of pursuing earthly treasures. The pursuit of wealth is characterized as ultimately empty and unfulfilling.
In a broader context, Ecclesiastes 5:11 also touches on the ethical and moral implications of wealth. The verse suggests that the increase in goods often leads to increased dependency and conflicts over resources. Additionally, it raises questions about the responsibilities of those who possess wealth and the potential impact of their abundance on others.
Symbolically, the verse can be seen as a commentary on the human condition and the universal struggle with the pursuit of material wealth. It highlights the tendency for individuals to become ensnared by the pursuit of riches, ultimately finding little enduring value in their possessions. This theme resonates throughout history and across cultures, serving as a timeless reflection on the elusive nature of material abundance.
Overall, Ecclesiastes 5:11 in the King James Version offers a profound meditation on the limitations of wealth and the emptiness of material pursuits. It challenges the reader to consider the true significance of possessions and the ultimate futility of placing one's hope and identity in earthly treasures. In doing so, it invites reflection on the deeper, more enduring sources of meaning and fulfillment in life.
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Ecclesiastes 5:11 - "When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?"
"When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?" - Ecclesiastes 5:11
Ecclesiastes 11:5 - "As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all."
Ecclesiastes 1:11
Ecclesiastes 5:5 - "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
Ecclesiastes 7:11 - "¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun."
Ecclesiastes 10:11 - "Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better."
Ecclesiastes 11:7 - "¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:"
Ecclesiastes 6:11 - "¶ Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?"
Song of Solomon 5:11
Ecclesiastes 5:9 - "¶ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field."
Ecclesiastes 4:5 - "The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh."
Philippians 2:5-11
Ecclesiastes 11:1 - "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
Ecclesiastes 7:5 - "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
Ecclesiastes 11:4 - "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap."
Ecclesiastes 5:7 - "For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God."
Ecclesiastes 12:11 - "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd."
Ecclesiastes 5:3 - "For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words."
Ecclesiastes 4:11 - "Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?"
Ecclesiastes 5:14 - "But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand."
Ecclesiastes 11:2 - "Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth."
Ecclesiastes 10:5 - "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler:"
Ecclesiastes 2:5 - "I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:"
"Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." - Ecclesiastes 5:5
Ecclesiastes 1:5 - "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
Ecclesiastes 1:11 - "There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after."
Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
Ecclesiastes 5:13 - "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt."
Ecclesiastes 5:17 - "All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness."