Ecclesiastes 6:2

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Preacher addresses humanity under the sun, introducing a specific evil that weighs heavily on mankind. He describes a scenario where God grants prosperity but deliberately withholds the ability to experience it.

The words — The Hebrew terms עֹשֶׁר ('o.Sher) and נְכָסִים (ne.kha.Sim) denote wealth and riches, while כָּבוֹד (kha.Vod) specifies honor. The verb יִתֵּן (yi.ten) marks God's active bestowal of these blessings, whereas the phrase אֵינֶנּוּ (ei.Ne.nu) signals the subsequent denial of enjoyment.

The thread — Ecclesiastes 5:19 contrasts this scenario by stating God enables enjoyment of one's lot, while Psalms 17:14 identifies those whose portion is confined to this life. Psalms 73:7 parallels the warning by showing how unchecked prosperity breeds arrogance and iniquity in the heart.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that material provision does not guarantee fulfillment or secure legacy. It forces a reader to confront the reality that unenjoyed blessing and lost inheritance are both futile and grievous.

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

אִ֣ישׁ'ishanyone אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.Sherwhom יִתֶּן־yi.ten-he givesל֣וֹl/oto <the>/ himהָאֱלֹהִ֡יםha./'E.lo.Him<the>/ God עֹשֶׁר֩'o.Sherwealth וּנְכָסִ֨יםu./ne.kha.Simand/ riches וְכָב֜וֹדve./kha.Vodand/ honor וְֽאֵינֶ֨נּוּve./'ei.Ne./nuand/ not/ he חָסֵ֥רcha.Ser[is] lacking לְנַפְשׁ֣וֹ׀le./naf.Sh/oto/ appetite/ his מִכֹּ֣לmi./Kolany of/ all אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-that יִתְאַוֶּ֗הyit.'a.Vehhe desires וְלֹֽא־ve./lo'-and/ not יַשְׁלִיטֶ֤נּוּyash.li.Te./nuhe gives power/ him הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ha./'E.lo.Him<the>/ God לֶאֱכֹ֣לle./'e.Kholto/ eat מִמֶּ֔נּוּmi.Me./nufrom/ it כִּ֛יkifor אִ֥ישׁ'isha man נָכְרִ֖יna.khe.Riforeign יֹֽאכֲלֶ֑נּוּyo.kha.Le./nuhe eats/ it זֶ֥הzehthis הֶ֛בֶלHe.vel[is] futility וָחֳלִ֥יvo./cho.Liand/ [is] an affliction רָ֖עra'an evil הֽוּא׃Hu'it

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ecclesiastes 5:19 Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.
Psalms 17:14 from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
Psalms 73:7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
1 Kings 3:13 Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.
Lamentations 5:2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.
Job 21:9 Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
Psalms 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.
Daniel 5:18 As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.
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!”’
Deuteronomy 8:7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills;