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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_05_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 5:13 - The Futility of Wealth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 5:12">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 5:13 <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 5:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />There is a sore evil <i>which</i> I have seen under the sun, <i>namely</i>, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />There is a severe evil <i>which</i> I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is a sickening evil <i>which</i> I have seen under the sun: wealth being hoarded by its owner to his detriment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />There is a grievous evil <i>which</i> I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />There is a sickening evil <i>which</i> I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their master to his own evil <i>demise</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being kept <i>and</i> hoarded by their owner to his own misery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I have seen something terribly unfair. People get rich, but it does them no good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />There is a painful tragedy that I have seen under the sun: Riches lead to the downfall of those who hoard them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Here is a terrible thing that I have seen in this world: people save up their money for a time when they may need it, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I have observed a painful tragedy on earth: Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners of them to their hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />There is an evil making sick I saw under the sun: riches watched to its owners for their evil.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 5:12>There is even another most burdensome infirmity, which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept to the harm of the owner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches hoarded by their owners to their own hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There is a grievous ill that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owners to their hurt,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There is also another grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, riches kept by the owner thereof to his own hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />There is a disease of evil that I have seen under the sun: wealth that is kept by its owner to his harm<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, <i>namely</i>, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=941" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">The Futility of Wealth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: yêš (Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. ">There is</a> <a href="/hebrew/2470.htm" title="2470: ḥō·w·lāh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence to be weak, sick, afflicted; or to grieve, make sick; also to stroke, entreat.">a grievous</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’î·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">I have seen</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·šā·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun:</a> <a href="/hebrew/6239.htm" title="6239: ‘ō·šer (N-ms) -- Riches. From ashar; wealth.">wealth</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šā·mūr (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">hoarded</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: lə·rā·‘ā·ṯōw (Prep-l:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">to the harm</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: liḇ·‘ā·lāw (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">of its owner,</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-3</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24-25</a></span><br />One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15-21</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Proverbs 23:4-5</a></span><br />Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-19.htm">Mark 4:19</a></span><br />but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/28-22.htm">Proverbs 28:22</a></span><br />A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13-15</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” / The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus. / So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-27.htm">Proverbs 15:27</a></span><br />He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a></span><br />Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/20-20.htm">Job 20:20-22</a></span><br />Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure. / Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure. / In the midst of his plenty, he will be distressed; the full force of misery will come upon him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.</p><p class="hdg">a sore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:8</a></b></br> There is one <i>alone</i>, and <i>there is</i> not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet <i>is there</i> no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither <i>saith he</i>, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This <i>is</i> also vanity, yea, it <i>is</i> a sore travail.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:1,2</a></b></br> There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it <i>is</i> common among men: … </p><p class="hdg">riches</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:9</a></b></br> All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: <i>there is</i> a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-5.htm">Genesis 13:5-11</a></b></br> And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-16.htm">Genesis 14:16</a></b></br> And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-12.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/james/5-3.htm">Hoarded</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-35.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/esther/9-30.htm">Namely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Possessor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-15.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-11.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-5.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/isaiah/23-18.htm">Hoarded</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm">Hurt</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/9-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-20.htm">Namely</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Owner</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-10.htm">Owners</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-12.htm">Possessor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">vanities in divine service</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-8.htm">in murmuring against oppression</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">and in riches</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Joy in riches is the gift of God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun:</b><br>The phrase "grievous evil" indicates a profound moral and ethical concern. In the context of Ecclesiastes, "under the sun" refers to life on earth, emphasizing the human perspective apart from divine revelation. The author, traditionally believed to be Solomon, uses this phrase to highlight the futility and vanity of earthly pursuits. This aligns with the broader theme of Ecclesiastes, which questions the value of worldly achievements without a relationship with God. The term "grievous" suggests a deep sorrow or burden, indicating the severity of the issue being addressed.<p><b>wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner:</b><br>The act of hoarding wealth is depicted as harmful, suggesting that excessive accumulation can lead to negative consequences. This reflects the biblical principle that wealth, when not used wisely or shared, can become a source of personal destruction. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, yet the misuse of it could lead to spiritual and relational decay. This idea is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The harm mentioned could be both physical and spiritual, as the obsession with wealth can lead to anxiety, isolation, and a false sense of security. The passage serves as a caution against the idolatry of wealth, urging believers to seek contentment and generosity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation where Solomon reigned, representing a place of both spiritual significance and material prosperity during his time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_owner.htm">The Owner</a></b><br>- The individual who hoards wealth, experiencing harm as a result of their actions, illustrating a universal human tendency.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/under_the_sun.htm">Under the Sun</a></b><br>- A phrase used throughout Ecclesiastes to denote life on earth, emphasizing the temporal and often futile nature of worldly pursuits.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wealth.htm">Wealth</a></b><br>- Material riches that, when hoarded, can lead to negative consequences for the individual, as observed by Solomon.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_hoarding_wealth.htm">The Danger of Hoarding Wealth</a></b><br>Hoarding wealth can lead to spiritual and emotional harm, as it often becomes an idol that distracts from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_riches.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Riches</a></b><br>Wealth is fleeting and cannot provide lasting satisfaction or security, reminding us to focus on eternal values.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generosity_as_a_remedy.htm">Generosity as a Remedy</a></b><br>Practicing generosity can counteract the negative effects of hoarding, aligning our hearts with God's purposes and blessing others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_provision.htm">Contentment in God's Provision</a></b><br>Finding contentment in what God provides helps us avoid the trap of accumulating wealth for its own sake.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>We are called to be good stewards of the resources God entrusts to us, using them to further His kingdom rather than for selfish gain.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_gambling_considered_sinful.htm">Is gambling considered sinful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_wealth_as_a_blessing_fit_with_nt.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:19 depicts wealth as a divine blessing; how does this harmonize with New Testament teachings that caution against riches?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_aren't_james_5_1-3_warnings_on_the_rich_supported_by_history.htm">In James 5:1-3, why are the warnings against the rich not corroborated by historical evidence showing that many wealthy individuals also contributed positively to society?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_king_solomon_considered_saved.htm">Is King Solomon considered saved?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Sore evil.--</span><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm" title="A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.">Ecclesiastes 6:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/14-17.htm" title="Therefore you shall say this word to them; Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.">Jeremiah 14:17</a>; <a href="/nahum/3-19.htm" title="There is no healing of your bruise; your wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of you shall clap the hands over you: for on whom has not your wickedness passed continually?">Nahum 3:19</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 13-17.</span> - Another view of the evils attendant upon riches is here presented: the owner may lose them at a stroke, and leave nothing for his children. This thought is presented in different lights. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There is also a sore evil which</span> <span class="cmt_word">I have seen under the sun</span> (so ver. 16). The fact that follows is, of course, not universally true, but occasionally seen, and is a very bitter evil. The Septuagint calls it <span class="greek">ἀῥῤωστία</span>; the Vulgate, <span class="accented">infirmitas</span>. <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>Riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt</span>; rather, <span class="accented">preserved by the possessor</span>, hoarded and guarded, only to bring their lord added grief when by some reverse of fortune he loses them, as explained in what follows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">There is</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵ֚שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> </span><span class="str2">Being, substance, existence, is</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a grievous</span><br /><span class="heb">חוֹלָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2470.htm">Strong's 2470: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be weak or sick</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have seen</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאִ֖יתִי</span> <span class="translit">(rā·’î·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֣חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sun:</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·meš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wealth</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹ֛שֶׁר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6239.htm">Strong's 6239: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wealth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hoarded</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמ֥וּר</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mūr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the harm</span><br /><span class="heb">לְרָעָתֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·rā·‘ā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of its owner,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבְעָלָ֖יו</span> <span class="translit">(liḇ·‘ā·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a grievous evil which (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>