Ecclesiastes 6:2
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.
Ecclesiastes 6:2 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from Ecclesiastes reflects on the idea that material wealth and success are ultimately meaningless without the ability to enjoy them. The passage describes a man who has been blessed with riches, wealth, and honor by God, yet he is unable to fully benefit from his prosperity. Instead, a stranger reaps the rewards of his labor. This illustrates the futility of pursuing worldly possessions, as they can easily be lost or stolen. The ultimate message of this verse is that true contentment does not come from material possessions, but from spiritual fulfillment and a connection with God. It serves as a cautionary reminder that chasing after wealth and success alone will not lead to lasting happiness and fulfillment. This passage encourages readers to seek a deeper meaning and purpose in life beyond the pursuit of material gain.
Theological Overview
This verse from the book of Ecclesiastes highlights a common theological theme found throughout the Bible - the idea that earthly possessions and wealth do not necessarily bring true fulfillment or satisfaction. The rich man described in this passage has been blessed by God with riches, wealth, and honor, yet despite having everything he desires, he is unable to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Instead, a stranger is the one who ultimately benefits from his possessions. This serves as a reminder that material wealth is ultimately fleeting and can be easily lost or taken away. The verse warns against placing too much importance on worldly treasures, as they can lead to emptiness and even harm. It calls for a deeper reflection on the true source of contentment and fulfillment, which can only be found in a relationship with God.
Ecclesiastes 6:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
World English Bible
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Douay-Rheims
A man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and honour, and his soul wanteth nothing of all that he desireth: yet God doth not give him power to eat thereof, but a stranger shall eat it up. This is vanity and a great misery.
Geneva Bible (1599)
A man to whom God hath giuen riches and treasures and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that it desireth: but God giueth him not power to eate thereof, but a strange man shall eate it vp: this is vanitie, and this is an euill sicknesse.