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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 2:25 For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/21_Ecc_02_25.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 2:25 - The Futility of Work" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.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/2-24.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:24">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 2:25 <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:26">►</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/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who else can hasten <i>hereunto</i>, more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For who can eat and who can have enjoyment outside of Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Who can eat or enjoy themselves without God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How else could you have anything to eat or enjoy yourself at all? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />for who can eat or enjoy life apart from him? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For apart from Him, who can eat and who can find enjoyment?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, apart from him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who else can hasten to it more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For who eats and who hurries out more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For who eateth and who hasteth out more than I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For who shall eat, and who shall hasten forth above me?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Who shall so feast and abound with delights as I? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So who will feast and overflow with delights as much as I have?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat or drink apart from God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For who can eat or who can drink except he?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For who is going to eat and who will drink apart from him?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For who shall eat, or who shall drink, without him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/2-25.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=422" 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/2.htm">The Futility of Work</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">24</span>Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/2351.htm" title="2351: ḥūṣ (N-ms) -- The outside, a street. Or chuts; from an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, i.e. Outside, outdoors.">apart from</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">Him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: yō·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">can eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">and who</a> <a href="/hebrew/2363.htm" title="2363: yā·ḥūš (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment.">can find enjoyment?</a> </span><span class="reftext">26</span>To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.…<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="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a></span><br />Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/16-11.htm">Psalm 16:11</a></span><br />You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></span><br />wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm">Proverbs 15:13</a></span><br />A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a></span><br />So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-11.htm">Philippians 4:11-13</a></span><br />I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. / I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/4-7.htm">Psalm 4:7</a></span><br />You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4</a></span><br />Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-11.htm">John 15:11</a></span><br />I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-8.htm">Psalm 34:8</a></span><br />Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/63-5.htm">Psalm 63:5</a></span><br />My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods; with joyful lips my mouth will praise You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/8-10.htm">Nehemiah 8:10</a></span><br />Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?</p><p class="hdg">who can</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:12</a></b></br> I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/4-21.htm">1 Kings 4:21-24</a></b></br> And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/18-18.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-13.htm">Eager</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Enjoy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Enjoyment</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-17.htm">Hasten</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Hasteth</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-21.htm">Hereunto</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Pleasure</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-7.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Eager</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Eateth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-12.htm">Enjoy</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-8.htm">Enjoyment</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-13.htm">Food</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Hasten</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-1.htm">Hasteth</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-3.htm">Hereunto</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-12.htm">Pleasure</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift</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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For apart from Him</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the centrality of God in the pursuit of true satisfaction and meaning in life. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the author, traditionally understood to be Solomon, explores the futility of life when lived without reference to God. The phrase suggests that all human endeavors, when disconnected from God, ultimately lead to emptiness. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that portrays God as the source of life and fulfillment (<a href="/john/15-5.htm">John 15:5</a>). Theologically, it underscores the doctrine of God's sovereignty and the necessity of a relationship with Him for a meaningful existence.<p><b>who can eat</b><br>Eating, in biblical times, was not only a necessity but also a communal and celebratory act. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, meals were often shared in fellowship, symbolizing peace and covenant relationships. This phrase implies that even the basic act of eating, which sustains physical life, lacks true satisfaction without God's blessing. It echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a>, where it is stated that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. This connection highlights the spiritual dimension of sustenance that transcends mere physical nourishment.<p><b>and who can find enjoyment?</b><br>Enjoyment, or joy, is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, where the author grapples with the apparent meaninglessness of life. This phrase suggests that genuine joy is elusive without God. Historically, Solomon's reign was marked by prosperity and wisdom, yet he acknowledges that these alone do not guarantee happiness. The pursuit of pleasure, wealth, and wisdom, as detailed in the preceding verses, ultimately falls short without divine purpose. This reflects the biblical teaching that true joy is a fruit of the Spirit (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a>) and is found in a life aligned with God's will. The phrase invites readers to consider the deeper, God-given joy that transcends temporal circumstances.<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 extensive writings. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences and search for meaning.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central place of worship and the capital of Israel during Solomon's reign. It serves as the backdrop for much of Solomon's life and his reflections on the futility of worldly pursuits.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of happiness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_true_joy.htm">Dependence on God for True Joy</a></b><br>True enjoyment and satisfaction in life are gifts from God. Without Him, our pursuits are ultimately empty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_worldly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Worldly Pursuits</a></b><br>Solomon's reflections remind us that wealth, wisdom, and pleasure, when sought apart from God, lead to vanity and dissatisfaction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_gratitude.htm">The Role of Gratitude</a></b><br>Recognizing God as the source of all good things fosters a heart of gratitude, which enhances our enjoyment of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_a_god-centered_life.htm">The Importance of a God-Centered Life</a></b><br>Aligning our lives with God's purposes brings fulfillment and joy that transcends circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_provision.htm">Contentment in God's Provision</a></b><br>Learning to be content with what God provides helps us to find joy in the present moment, rather than constantly seeking more.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/meaning_of_'eat,_drink,_and_be_merry'.htm">What does 'Eat, Drink, and Be Merry' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_2_thess._3_10_contradict_jesus.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Does telling the idle they 'shall not eat' contradict Jesus' teachings on charity and feeding the poor (e.g., Matthew 25)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'a_thousand_years_twice'_literal.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:6 - Is the mention of living 'a thousand years twice' literal, and how does it align with known human lifespans?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_11_7-8_align_with_self-denial.htm">In Ecclesiastes 11:7-8, how does the encouragement to enjoy life reconcile with passages elsewhere that emphasize self-denial or suffering?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">Hasten.--</span><a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm" title="Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.">Habakkuk 1:8</a>.<p><span class= "bld">More than I.</span>--There is a various rendering, which has the authority of the LXX., and which has every appearance of being right: "without Him."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?</span> This is the translation of the received text. "Eat" means enjoy one's self, as in the preceding verse; "hasten hereunto" implies eager pursuit of pleasure; and Koheleth asks - Who had better opportunity than he for verifying the principle that all depends upon the gift of God? Vulgate, <span class="accented">Quis ita devorabit</span>, <span class="accented">et deliciis affluet ut ego?</span> The Septuagint had a different reading, which obtains also in the Syriac and Arabic versions, and has been adopted by many modern critics. Instead of <span class="hebrew">מִמֶּנִּי</span>, they read <span class="hebrew">מִמֶּנְּוּ</span>, "without him," <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. except from God. "For who shall eat or who shall drink without him (<span class="greek">πάρεξ αὐτοῦ</span>)<span class="accented">?"</span> This merely repeats the thought of the last verse, in agreement with the saying of St. James (James 1:17), "Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father' of lights." But the received reading, if it admits the rendering of the Authorized Version (which is somewhat doubtful), stands in close connection with the personal remark just preceding, "This also I saw," etc., and is a more sensible confirmation thereof than a tautological observation can be. The next verse carries on the thought that substantial enjoyment is entirely the gift of God, and granted by him as the moral Governor of the world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/2-25.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">apart from</span><br /><span class="heb">ח֥וּץ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥūṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2351.htm">Strong's 2351: </a> </span><span class="str2">Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Him,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִמֶּֽנִּי׃</span> <span class="translit">(mim·men·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> </span><span class="str2">A part of, from, out of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">מִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can eat</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאכַ֛ל</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and who</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can find enjoyment?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָח֖וּשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥūš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2363.htm">Strong's 2363: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hurry, to be eager with excitement, enjoyment</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:25 For who can eat or who can (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:26" /></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>