Ecclesiastes 3:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The simple enjoyment of food, drink, and one's work is itself a gift from God.
What Does Ecclesiastes 3:13 Mean?
The Preacher names the everyday blessings within reach of all: eating, drinking, and finding satisfaction in one's labor. These are not distractions from the spiritual life but, he insists, the very gift of God to His creatures.
There is deep grace here. The ability to enjoy a meal, to take pleasure in honest work, to receive ordinary days as good, is not earned but given. Gratitude turns the plainest table into an altar. When we recognize daily provision as a gift rather than a right, contentment grows, and the labor that once seemed empty becomes a place where we meet the kindness of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 in the Original Language
mattat (מַתַּת), 'gift' -- something freely bestowed, here marking ordinary enjoyment as a present from God's hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 3:13
What does Ecclesiastes 3:13 mean?
The simple enjoyment of food, drink, and one's work is itself a gift from God.