Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 10:19
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Teacher addresses readers in a wisdom discourse that follows a warning about structural decay from idleness and precedes a caution against careless speech toward rulers. He observes how practical resources function in daily life.
The words — כֶּסֶף (ke.sef) means money or silver, and יַעֲנֶה (ya.'a.Neh) means it answers or provides a solution. The text states that feasts and wine are prepared for joy and make life glad, but money is the answer for everything.
The thread — This observation runs against Ecclesiastes 2:1, where tested pleasure proved futile, and aligns with the material provision described in Psalms 104:15. It stands in contrast to Psalm 112:9, which locates lasting honor in giving to the poor rather than relying on wealth.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge that money resolves practical needs but does not supply ultimate meaning. It asks for sober assessment of material comfort against enduring wisdom.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Cross-references
- Psalms 104:15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
- Psalms 112:9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
- Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.
- Ecclesiastes 7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
- Isaiah 23:18 Yet her profits and wages will be set apart to the LORD; they will not be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothing.
- Isaiah 24:11 In the streets they cry out for wine. All joy turns to gloom; rejoicing is exiled from the land.
- Luke 12:19 Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
- Philippians 4:15 And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
- 1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
- Genesis 43:34 When the portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of the others. So they feasted and drank freely with Joseph.