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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 5:15 As a man came from his mother's womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/21_Ecc_05_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 5:15 - The Futility of Wealth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As a man came from his mother's womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. 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They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />As he had come naked from his mother&#8217s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will carry nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can bring in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came; and he will take away nothing from all his labor that he can carry in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As he came from his mother&#8217s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They came into this world naked, and when they die, they will be just as naked. They can't take anything with them, and they won't have anything to show for all their work. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They came from their mother's womb naked. They will leave as naked as they came. They won't even be able to take a handful of their earnings with them from all their hard work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We leave this world just as we entered it--with nothing. In spite of all our work there is nothing we can take with us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Just as he came naked from his mother's womb, he will leave as naked as he came; he will receive no profit from his efforts— he cannot carry away even a handful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Just as he came forth from his mother\'s womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />As he came into the world, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turns back to go as he came, and he does not take away anything of his labor, that goes in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />According as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked he shall turn back to go as he came, and he shall not take away anything in his labor that shall go in his hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, so shall he return, and shall take nothing away with him of his labour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 5:14>Just as he went forth naked from his mother’s womb, so shall he return, and he shall take nothing with him from his labors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />As they came forth from their mother’s womb, so again shall they return, naked as they came, having nothing from their toil to bring with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As they came from their mother’s womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he return to the earth to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Just as he goes forth from the womb of his mother naked, he will return to go as he came, and he will take nothing of his labor to go in his hand<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go <i>with him</i> in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=957" 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">14</span>or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">As</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">a man came</a> <a href="/hebrew/517.htm" title="517: ’im·mōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- A mother. A primitive word; a mother; in a wide sense (like 'ab).">from his mother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: mib·be·ṭen (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">womb,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lā·le·ḵeṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">so he will depart</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">again,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6174.htm" title="6174: ‘ā·rō·wm (Adj-ms) -- Naked. Or marom; from aram; nude, either partially or totally.">naked</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: kə·šeb·bā (Prep-k, Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">as he arrived.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">He takes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3972.htm" title="3972: ū·mə·’ū·māh (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Anything. Apparently a form of m'uwm; properly, a speck or point, i.e. something; with negative, nothing.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5999.htm" title="5999: ḇa·‘ă·mā·lōw (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Trouble, labor, toil. From amal; toil, i.e. Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. Of body or mind.">for his labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: še·yō·lêḵ (Pro-r:: V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to carry</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in his hands.</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>This too is a grievous evil: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for 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="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></span><br />saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7</a></span><br />For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Psalm 49:17</a></span><br />For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.<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="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a></span><br />But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-7.htm">1 Corinthians 4:7</a></span><br />For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?<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="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a></span><br />But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/27-24.htm">Proverbs 27:24</a></span><br />for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10</a></span><br />For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Luke 16:22-23</a></span><br />One day the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. And the rich man also died and was buried. / In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a></span><br />What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></span><br />The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></b></br> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Psalm 49:17</a></b></br> For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a></b></br> But God said unto him, <i>Thou</i> fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-22.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-14.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-21.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Departs</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-14.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-24.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-18.htm">Naked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-6.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-2.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-6.htm">Work</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/5-14.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-3.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-20.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Departs</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/songs/2-3.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-3.htm">Gets</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-18.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/songs/3-4.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Mother's</a> <a href="/isaiah/20-2.htm">Naked</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-7.htm">Turneth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-5.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-19.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/12-5.htm">World</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>As a man came from his mother’s womb</b><br />This phrase emphasizes the beginning of human life, highlighting the vulnerability and dependency of a newborn. The Hebrew word for "man" here is "אָדָם" (adam), which not only refers to an individual but also connects to the broader human experience. The imagery of the "mother’s womb" underscores the natural and humble origins of every person, reminding us of our shared humanity and the divine creation of life. In a historical context, this phrase serves as a reminder of the simplicity and purity of our beginnings, untainted by material possessions or societal status.<p><b>so he will depart again</b><br />The inevitability of death is a central theme in Ecclesiastes, and this phrase captures the cyclical nature of life. The Hebrew word "יָשׁוּב" (yashuv) means "to return," suggesting a return to the earth or to God. This reflects the biblical understanding that life is transient and that our earthly journey is temporary. The phrase encourages believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporal gains, aligning with the Christian perspective of living a life that honors God and prepares for the afterlife.<p><b>naked as he arrived</b><br />"Naked" in Hebrew is "עָרוֹם" (arom), which conveys a state of being without possessions or defenses. This stark imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of materialism. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of life and death, where individuals were often buried with goods for the afterlife, yet the biblical text challenges this notion by emphasizing spiritual readiness over material wealth. For Christians, this phrase calls for a life of humility and reliance on God, recognizing that worldly possessions hold no eternal value.<p><b>He takes nothing for his labor</b><br />The word "labor" in Hebrew is "עֲמָלוֹ" (amalo), which refers to toil or work. This phrase highlights the futility of accumulating wealth and possessions, as they cannot be taken beyond the grave. It echoes the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, where He advises storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-20</a>). The historical context of labor in ancient times often involved hard, physical work, yet the spiritual lesson remains timeless: true fulfillment comes from serving God and others, not from material gain.<p><b>to carry in his hands</b><br />The imagery of "hands" in Hebrew, "בְּיָדוֹ" (beyado), symbolizes human effort and achievement. This phrase underscores the ultimate powerlessness of human endeavors in the face of death. In biblical times, hands were often associated with work and creation, yet here they are empty, reinforcing the message that earthly achievements are fleeting. For Christians, this serves as a call to invest in spiritual pursuits and relationships that have eternal significance, trusting in God's provision and grace rather than our own efforts.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) There is a clear use of <a href="/job/1-21.htm" title="And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.">Job 1:21</a>. (See also <a href="/psalms/139-15.htm" title="My substance was not hid from you, when I was made in secret, and curiously worked in the lowest parts of the earth.">Psalm 139:15</a>.) And this passage itself is used in <a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/40-1.htm" title="Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things.">Ecclesiasticus 40:1</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - The case of the rich man who has lost his property is here generalized. What is true of him is, in a measure, true of every one, so far as he can carry nothing away with him when he dies (<a href="/psalms/49-17.htm">Psalm 49:17</a>). <span class="cmt_word">As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came.</span> There is a plain reference to <a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a>, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither." The <span class="accented">mother</span> is the earth, human beings being regarded as her offspring. So the psalmist says, "My frame was curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth" (<a href="/psalms/139-15.htm">Psalm 139:15</a>). And Ben-Sira, "Great trouble is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother's womb till the day that they return to the mother of all things." <a href="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7</a>, "We brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything out." Thus Propertius, 'Eleg.,' 3:5. 13 - <p><span class="foreign">"Hand ullas portabis opes Acherontis ad undas,<br />Nudus ab inferna, stulte, vehere rate."</span> <p><span class="accented">"No wealth thou'lt take to Acheron's dark shore,<br />Naked, th' infernal bark will bear thee o'er."</span> <span class="cmt_word">Shall take nothing of his labor;</span> rather, for <span class="accented">his labor</span>, the preposition being <span class="hebrew">בְּ</span> of price. He gets nothing by his long toil in amassing wealth. <span class="cmt_word">Which he may carry away in his hand,</span> as his own possession. The ruined Dives points a moral for all men. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/5-15.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">As</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[a man] came</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצָא֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from his mother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִמּ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_517.htm">Strong's 517: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">womb,</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֶּ֣טֶן</span> <span class="translit">(mib·be·ṭen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> </span><span class="str2">The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so he will depart</span><br /><span class="heb">לָלֶ֖כֶת</span> <span class="translit">(lā·le·ḵeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">again:</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשׁ֥וּב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">naked</span><br /><span class="heb">עָר֛וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·rō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6174.htm">Strong's 6174: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nude, either partially, totally</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as he arrived.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּשֶׁבָּ֑א</span> <span class="translit">(kə·šeb·bā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He takes</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָּׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמְא֙וּמָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mə·’ū·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> </span><span class="str2">A speck, point, nothing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for his labor</span><br /><span class="heb">בַעֲמָל֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·‘ă·mā·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5999.htm">Strong's 5999: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to carry</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיֹּלֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(še·yō·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in his hands.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:15 As he came forth from his mother's (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 5:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 5:16" /></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>