Ecclesiastes 5:17–19
All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
All his dayes also hee eateth in darkenesse, and he hath much sorrowe, and wrath with his sicknesse.
¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
¶ *††Behold that which I haue seene: It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his labour that he taketh vnder the sunne, all the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for it is his portion.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. there is a good which is comely, &c.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. the number of the dayes.
- *Cross-referenceChap.2.24 and 3.12.
Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
Euery man also to whom God hath giuen riches and wealth, and hath giuen him power to eate thereof, and to take his portion, and to reioyce in his labour; th is is the gift of God.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
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15 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 17
- Psalms 127:2Rank 1 from verse 17
- 1 Corinthians 11:30–32Rank 2 from verse 17
30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
30For this cause many are weake and sickly among you, and many sleepe.
31For if we would iudge our selues, we should not be iudged.
32But when we are iudged, we are chastened of the Lord, that wee should not be condemned with the world.
- 1 Kings 17:12Rank 3 from verse 17
12And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
12And she said, As the LORD thy God liueth, I haue not a cake, but an handfull of meale in a barrell, and a little oyle in a cruse: and behold, I am gathering two stickes, that I may goe in, and dresse it for me and my sonne, that we may eate it, and die.
- 2 Chronicles 16:10–12Rank 4 from verse 17
10Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.
11¶ And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.
10Then Asa was wroth with the Seer, and put him in a prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa †oppressed some of the people the same time.
11¶ And behold, the actes of Asa first and last, lo, they are written in the booke of the Kings of Iudah and Israel.
12And Asa in the thirtie and ninth yeere of his reigne, was diseased in his feete, vntill his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease hee sought not to the LORD, but to the Physicians.
- 2 Chronicles 24:24–25Rank 5 from verse 17
24For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
25And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
24For the armie of the Syrians came with a small companie of men, and the LORD deliuered a very great hoste into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers: so they executed iudgement against Ioash.
25And when they were departed from him (for they left him in great diseases) his owne seruants conspired against him, for the blood of the sonnes of Iehoiada the Priest, and slewe him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the citie of Dauid, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the Kings.
- 2 Kings 1:2Rank 6 from verse 17
2And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
2And Ahaziah fel downe thorow a lattesse in his vpper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sicke: and he sent messengers, and said vnto them, Goe, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, whether I shal recouer of this disease.
- 2 Kings 1:6Rank 7 from verse 17
6And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
6And they said vnto him, There came a man vp to meet vs, and said vnto vs, Goe, turne againe vnto the king that sent you, and say vnto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come downe from that bedde on which thou art gone vp, but shalt surely die.
- 2 Kings 5:27Rank 8 from verse 17
- Acts 12:23Rank 9 from verse 17
- Ezekiel 4:16–17Rank 10 from verse 17
16Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:
17That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.
16*Moreouer he said vnto me, Sonne of man, behold, I wil breake the staffe of bread in Ierusalem, and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care, and they shal drinke water by measure, and with astonishment:
17That they may want bread and water, & be astonied one with an other, and consume away for their iniquitie.
- Genesis 3:17Rank 11 from verse 17
17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;
17And vnto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened vnto the voyce of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commaunded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eate of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life.
- Proverbs 1:27–29Rank 13 from verse 17
27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
27*When your feare commeth as desolation, and your destruction commeth as a whirlewinde; when distresse and anguish commeth vpon you:
28*Then shall they call vpon mee, but I will not answere; they shall seeke me early, but they shall not finde me:
29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the feare of the LORD.
- Psalms 102:9Rank 14 from verse 17
- Psalms 78:33Rank 15 from verse 17
- Psalms 90:7–11Rank 16 from verse 17
7For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
10The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
7For we are consumed by thine anger: and by thy wrath are we troubled.
8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee: our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance.
9†‖For all our dayes are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our yeeres as a tale that is told.
10†The dayes of our yeres are threescore yeeres and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourescore yeeres, yet is their strength labour and sorrow: for it is soone cut off, and we flie away.
11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? euen according to thy feare, so is thy wrath.
From verse 18
- Ecclesiastes 2:24Rank 1 from verse 18
24¶ There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
24¶ *‖ There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drinke, and that he should make his soule enioy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
- Ecclesiastes 3:12–13Rank 2 from verse 18
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.
13And also that euery man should eate and drinke, and enioy the good of all his labour: it is the gift of God.
- Ecclesiastes 3:22Rank 3 from verse 18
22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
22*Wherefore I perceiue that there is nothing better, then that a man should reioyce in his owne workes: for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?
- Ecclesiastes 9:7Rank 4 from verse 18
- 1 Timothy 6:17Rank 5 from verse 18
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they bee not high minded, nor trust in †vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, who giueth vs richly all things to enioy,
- Ecclesiastes 2:10Rank 6 from verse 18
10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
10And whatsoeuer mine eyes desired, I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any ioy: for my heart reioyced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.
- Ecclesiastes 8:15Rank 7 from verse 18
15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
15*Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9Rank 8 from verse 18
9¶ Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
9¶ Reioyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee into iudgement.
- Jeremiah 52:34Rank 9 from verse 18
34And for his diet, there was a continual diet given him of the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
34†And for his diet, there was a continuall diet giuen him of the king of Babylon, euery day a portion vntill the day of his death, all the dayes of his life.
From verse 19
- Deuteronomy 8:18Rank 1 from verse 19
18But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
18But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giueth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his Couenant, which he sware vnto thy fathers, as it is this day.
- Ecclesiastes 3:13Rank 2 from verse 19
- Ecclesiastes 6:2Rank 3 from verse 19
2A 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.
2A man to whom God hath giuen riches, wealth and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that he desireth, yet God giueth him not power to eate thereof, but a stranger eateth it: Th is is vanitie, and it is an euill disease.
- 2 Chronicles 1:12Rank 4 from verse 19
12Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.
12Wisedome and knowledge is granted vnto thee, and I will giue thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as *none of the kings haue had, that haue beene before thee, neither shall there any after thee haue the like.
- Ecclesiastes 2:24–26Rank 5 from verse 19
24¶ There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
26For 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.
24¶ *‖ There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drinke, and that he should make his soule enioy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25For who can eate? or who else can hasten hereunto more then I?
26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
- 1 Kings 3:13Rank 6 from verse 19
13And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
13And I haue also *giuen thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there ‖shall not be any among the Kings like vnto thee, all thy dayes.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 5:17
Third-person singular present form of eat, meaning to take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Grief, sadness, anguish, pain, regret, distress, trouble, or heaviness. Sense 2: To grieve or cause such pain.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Fierce anger, indignation, displeasure, rage, or the punitive judgment and destructive action that proceed from it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Disease, illness, or a state of bodily weakness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 5:18
1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Fair, beautiful, graceful, or pleasing in appearance. 2. Becoming, fitting, or proper.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To possess, experience, or receive with satisfaction, benefit, or delight.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The state of living; the period or manner of one's existence.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A part, share, allotment, inheritance, assigned duty, reward, or outcome belonging or given to someone.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 5:19
Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Bestowed, granted, delivered, or appointed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Riches, possessions, or material resources. 2. Prosperity, welfare, or well-being.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Of that or those previously mentioned; of it or of them.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To receive, seize, carry, accept, choose, or lay hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
A part, share, allotment, inheritance, assigned duty, reward, or outcome belonging or given to someone.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. To be glad, take joy, delight, or exult; to express gladness. 2. To make glad or cause to rejoice.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Something given or bestowed; a present. Sense 2: An endowment or ability. Sense 3: A bribe.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
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16And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
16*And this also is a sore euill, that in all points as he came, so shall hee goe: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the winde?
17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
17All his dayes also hee eateth in darkenesse, and he hath much sorrowe, and wrath with his sicknesse.
Selected passage18¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
18¶ *††Behold that which I haue seene: It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his labour that he taketh vnder the sunne, all the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for it is his portion.
Selected passage19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
19Euery man also to whom God hath giuen riches and wealth, and hath giuen him power to eate thereof, and to take his portion, and to reioyce in his labour; th is is the gift of God.
Selected passage20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
20‖For he shall not much remember the dayes of his life: because God answereth him in the ioy of his heart.