Ecclesiastes 5:15 Meaning and Explanation
“As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →We enter the world naked and leave it the same way, carrying nothing of all our labor with us.
What Does Ecclesiastes 5:15 Mean?
The Preacher widens his gaze from one man's loss to the common destiny of all. We arrive in the world with nothing, and we depart with nothing; the hands that grasped so much go out empty.
This plain truth strips the illusion that we can take our gains with us. It is meant not to crush hope but to reorder it, loosening our grip on what we cannot keep. Centuries later Paul echoed the same: we brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out. What endures is not what we hold but Who holds us, and the treasure we send ahead by faith and love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 5:15
What does Ecclesiastes 5:15 mean?
We enter the world naked and leave it the same way, carrying nothing of all our labor with us.