Ecclesiastes 6:2 “God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing hi…”

Ecclesiastes 6:2

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

World English Bible

a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

American Standard Version

a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

Geneva Bible 1599

A man to whom God hath giuen riches and treasures and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that it desireth: but God giueth him not power to eate thereof, but a strange man shall eate it vp: this is vanitie, and this is an euill sicknesse.

Darby Translation

one to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and a sore evil.

Young's Literal Translation

A man to whom God giveth wealth, and riches, and honour, and there is no lack to his soul of all that he desireth, and God giveth him not power to eat of it, but a stranger eateth it; this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease.

Bible in Basic English

A man to whom God gives money, wealth, and honour so that he has all his desires but God does not give him the power to have joy of it, and a strange man takes it. This is to no purpose and an evil disease.

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Cross references

“a man”

Ecclesiastes 5:19 1 Kings 3:13 Daniel 5:18 1 Chronicles 29:25 1 Chronicles 29:28 2 Chronicles 1:11

Ecclesiastes 5:19 · BSB

Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

1 Kings 3:13 · BSB

Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

Daniel 5:18 · BSB

As for you, O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness, glory and honor.

1 Chronicles 29:25 · BSB

The LORD highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been bestowed on any king in Israel before him.

1 Chronicles 29:28 · BSB

He died at a ripe old age, full of years, riches, and honor, and his son Solomon reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 1:11 · BSB

God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies—and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and know…

“so”

Psalm 17:14 Psalm 73:7 Job 21:9–15 Ecclesiastes 2:4–10 Deuteronomy 8:7–10 Judges 18:10

Psalm 17:14 · BSB

from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.

Psalm 73:7 · BSB

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

Job 21:9–15 · BSB

Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.

Ecclesiastes 2:4–10 · BSB

I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

Deuteronomy 8:7–10 · BSB

For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks and fountains and springs that flow through the valleys and hills;

Judges 18:10 · BSB

When you enter, you will come to an unsuspecting people and a spacious land, for God has delivered it into your hand. It is a place where nothing on earth is lacking.”

“but”

Lamentations 5:2 Psalm 39:6 Deuteronomy 28:33 Deuteronomy 28:43 Hosea 7:9

Lamentations 5:2 · BSB

Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners.

Psalm 39:6 · BSB

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Deuteronomy 28:33 · BSB

A people you do not know will eat the produce of your land and of all your toil. All your days you will be oppressed and crushed.

Deuteronomy 28:43 · BSB

The foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower.

Hosea 7:9 · BSB

Foreigners consume his strength, but he does not notice. Even his hair is streaked with gray, but he does not know.

“vanity”

Ecclesiastes 4:4 Ecclesiastes 4:8 Ecclesiastes 5:16

Ecclesiastes 4:4 · BSB

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 · BSB

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—…

Ecclesiastes 5:16 · BSB

This too is a grievous affliction: Exactly as a man is born, so he will depart. What does he gain as he toils for the wind?

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:

3A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Read Ecclesiastes 6