Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, New Living Translation So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. English Standard Version There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, Berean Standard Bible Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. King James Bible 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. New King James Version Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. New American Standard Bible There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink, and show himself some good in his trouble. This too I have seen, that it is from the hand of God. NASB 1995 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. NASB 1977 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God. Legacy Standard Bible There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and have his soul see good in his labor. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. Amplified Bible There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. Christian Standard Bible There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, Holman Christian Standard Bible There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, American Standard Version There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Contemporary English Version The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working. I believe these are God's gifts to us, English Revised Version There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. GOD'S WORD® Translation There is nothing better for people to do than to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in their work. I saw that even this comes from the hand of God. Good News Translation The best thing we can do is eat and drink and enjoy what we have earned. And yet, I realized that even this comes from God. International Standard Version The only worthwhile thing for a human being is to eat, drink, and enjoy life's goodness that he finds in what he accomplishes. This, I observed, is also from the hand of God himself, Majority Standard Bible Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. NET Bible There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God. New Heart English Bible There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Webster's Bible Translation 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 labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. World English Bible There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThere is nothing good in a man who eats, and has drunk, and has shown his soul good in his labor. This also I have seen that it [is] from the hand of God. Young's Literal Translation There is nothing good in a man who eateth, and hath drunk, and hath shewn his soul good in his labour. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. Smith's Literal Translation Not good in man he shall eat and drink and cause his soul to see good in his labor. Also this I saw that it is from the hand of God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIs it not better to eat and drink, and to shew his soul good things of his labours? and this is from the hand of God. Catholic Public Domain Version Is it not better to eat and drink, and to show his soul the good things of his labors? And this is from the hand of God. New American Bible There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and provide themselves with good things from their toil. Even this, I saw, is from the hand of God. New Revised Standard Version There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThere is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated There is no good for a man but to eat and to drink and to show good to his soul in his work; this also I have seen that it is from the hand of LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Brenton Septuagint Translation A man has nothing really good to eat, and to drink, and to shew his soul as good in his trouble. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Work…23Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. 24Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. 25For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?… Cross References Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, / and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot. / 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. / For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart. Ecclesiastes 8:15 So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works: / Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head. / Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun. Psalm 128:2 For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 104:14-15 He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: / wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Isaiah 22:13 But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 15:32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 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!”’ Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ... James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. Treasury of Scripture 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 labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. nothing Ecclesiastes 3:12,13,22 Ecclesiastes 5:18 Ecclesiastes 8:15 make his soul enjoy good Ecclesiastes 3:13 Ecclesiastes 5:19 Ecclesiastes 6:2 Jump to Previous Better Delight Drink Drunk Eat Eateth Enjoy Enjoyment Find Good Hand Labor Meat Pleasure Satisfaction Shewn Soul Toil WorkJump to Next Better Delight Drink Drunk Eat Eateth Enjoy Enjoyment Find Good Hand Labor Meat Pleasure Satisfaction Shewn Soul Toil WorkEcclesiastes 2 1. the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure12. Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event 18. The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom 24. Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift Nothing is better for a man This phrase sets the tone for the verse, emphasizing the ultimate satisfaction and contentment available to humanity. The Hebrew word for "better" (טוֹב, tov) often conveys goodness, welfare, or prosperity. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it suggests that amidst life's vanities, finding joy in simple pleasures is a profound blessing. Historically, this reflects a counter-cultural message in a world often driven by ambition and material gain. than to eat and drink and enjoy his work I have also seen that this is from the hand of God Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences. 2. Israel The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and religious context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of Ecclesiastes. 3. The Hand of God A phrase indicating divine providence and blessing. It suggests that the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures is a gift from God. Teaching Points The Gift of EnjoymentRecognize that the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as eating, drinking, and working, is a gift from God. This perspective encourages gratitude and contentment. The Role of Work Work is not merely a means to an end but a part of God’s design for human fulfillment. Finding joy in work is a reflection of God’s blessing. Divine Providence Understanding that enjoyment comes from the hand of God helps us to see life’s pleasures as part of His providential care, encouraging us to live with a sense of trust and reliance on Him. Contentment in Simplicity In a world that often seeks fulfillment in excess, this verse calls believers to find contentment in the simple, everyday blessings provided by God.(24) Nothing better.--"Not good" is the sense of the Hebrew as it stands, for it will be observed that the word "than" is in italics. But as this word might easily have dropped out by a transcriber's error, interpreters, taking in connection Ecclesiastes 3:12; Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 5:18; Ecclesiastes 8:15, generally agree to modify the text so as to give it the meaning of our version, according to which the sense is: "Seeing the uncertainty of the future, the only good a man can get from his labour is that present pleasure which he can make it yield to himself; and whether he can even enjoy so much as this depends on God." If the text be not altered, the sense is: "It is not good for a man to eat, &c, seeing it depends on God whether or not that is possible."Verse 24. - There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink. The Vulgate makes the sentence interrogative, which the Hebrew does not sanction, Nonne melius est comedere et bibere? Septuagint Οὐκ ἔστιν ἀγαθὸν ἀνθρώπῳ ο{ φάγεται καὶ ο{ πίεται, "There is naught good to a man to eat or drink;" St. Jerome and others insert misi, "except for a man to eat," etc. This and the Authorized Version, which are more or less approved by most critics, make the writer enunciate a kind of modified Epicureanism, quotations in confirmation of which will be found set forth by Plumptre. It is not pretended that the present Hebrew text admits this exposition, and critics have agreed to modify the original in order to express the sense which they give to the passage. As it stands, the sentence runs, "It is not good in (בָּ) man that he should eat," etc. This is supposed to clash with later statements; e.g. Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13; Ecclesiastes 8:15; and to condemn all bodily pleasure even in its simplest form. Hence commentators insert מ ("than") before שֶׁיּלֺאכַל, supposing that the initial mere has dropped out after the terminal of the preceding word, adam (comp. Ecclesiastes 3:22). This solution of a difficulty might be allowed were the Hebrew otherwise incapable of explanation without doing violence to the sentiments elsewhere expressed. But this is not the case. As Metals has seen, the great point lies in the preposition ב, and what is stated is that it does not depend on man, it is not in his power, he is not at liberty to eat and drink and enjoy himself simply at his own will; his power and ability proceed wholly from God. A higher authority than his decides the matter. The phrase, "to eat and drink," is merely a periphrasis for living in comfort, peace, and affluence. St. Gregory, who holds that here and in other places Koheleth seems to contradict himself, makes a remark which is of general application, "He who looks to the text, and does not acquaint himself with the sense of the Holy Word, is not so much furnishing himself with instruction as bewildering himself in uncertainty, in that the literal words sometimes contradict themselves; but whilst by their oppositeness they stand at variance with themselves, they direct the reader to a truth that is to be understood" ('Moral.,' 4:1). They who read Epicureanism into the text fall into the error here denounced. They take the expression, "eat and drink," in the narrowest sense of bodily pleasure, whereas it was by no means so confined in the mind of a Hebrew. To eat bread in the kingdom of God, to take a place at the heavenly banquet, represents the highest bliss of glorified man (Luke 14:15; Revelation 19:9, etc.). In a lower degree it signifies earthly prosperity, as in Jeremiah 22:15, "Did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice? then it was well with him." So in our passage we find only the humiliating truth that man in himself is powerless to make his life happy or his labors successful. There is no Epicurean-ism, even in a modified form, in the Hebrew text as it has come down to us. With other supposed traces of this philosophy we shall have to deal subsequently (see on Ecclesiastes 3:12; 6:2). And that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor; i.e. taste the enjoyment of his labor, get pleasure as the reward of all his exertions, or find it in the actual pursuit. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. This is the point - the power of enjoyment depends on the will of God. The next verse substantiates this assertion. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Nothingאֵֽין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle [is] better ט֤וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good for man בָּאָדָם֙ (bā·’ā·ḏām) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being than to eat שֶׁיֹּאכַ֣ל (še·yō·ḵal) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 398: To eat and drink וְשָׁתָ֔ה (wə·šā·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8354: To imbibe and וְהֶרְאָ֧ה (wə·her·’āh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim enjoy רָאִ֣יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7200: To see his work. בַּעֲמָל֑וֹ (ba·‘ă·mā·lōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind I אָ֔נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I have also גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and seen הִֽיא׃ (hî) Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are that כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction this [is] זֹה֙ (zōh) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2090: This, that from the hand מִיַּ֥ד (mî·yaḏ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 3027: A hand of God. הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links Ecclesiastes 2:24 NIVEcclesiastes 2:24 NLT Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV Ecclesiastes 2:24 NASB Ecclesiastes 2:24 KJV Ecclesiastes 2:24 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 2:24 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 2:24 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 2:24 French Bible Ecclesiastes 2:24 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a man (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |