Ecclesiastes 6:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A person may possess everything yet lack the capacity to enjoy it, leaving his abundance to be consumed by someone else.
What Does Ecclesiastes 6:2 Mean?
The Preacher describes a man with riches, wealth, and honour, lacking nothing his heart could name, and yet unable to enjoy any of it. What he gathered passes to a stranger. Solomon calls this 'vanity,' a fleeting vapor, and an 'evil disease,' a sickness of the soul rather than the body.
The lesson is gentle but clear: possessions alone cannot satisfy, and the power to enjoy good is itself a gift, not a guarantee. Wealth that the heart cannot taste is no blessing at all. This drives us to seek what truly nourishes, the kind of contentment that comes from God's own hand. Treasure laid up in heaven, and a heart at rest in Him, cannot be eaten by a stranger or lost to the grave.
Ecclesiastes 6:2 in the Original Language
hebel (הֶבֶל), 'vanity' -- a breath or vapor, something fleeting and impossible to grasp.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ecclesiastes 6:2
What does Ecclesiastes 6:2 mean?
A person may possess everything yet lack the capacity to enjoy it, leaving his abundance to be consumed by someone else.