Ecclesiastes 5:14

Ecclesiastes 5:14 Meaning and Explanation

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

King James Version (KJV)

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Such hoarded riches can vanish through a bad venture, leaving a man with a son to provide for and nothing left to give.

What Does Ecclesiastes 5:14 Mean?

The Preacher illustrates the harm of hoarded wealth with a sharp example. Riches that were guarded can be lost in a single misfortune or failed enterprise.

Then the man who trusted in them is left empty-handed, with a child to raise and nothing in his hand to pass on. The security he counted on proves no security at all. The lesson is not that planning is wrong but that no earthly store is truly safe. Lasting inheritance is found in what cannot perish, in a life laid up toward God rather than fenced behind fragile walls of gold.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 5:14

What does Ecclesiastes 5:14 mean?

Such hoarded riches can vanish through a bad venture, leaving a man with a son to provide for and nothing left to give.

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