Ecclesiastes 5:18
"Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Behold that which I have seen,.... Observed, considered and approved of, and which he recommended and excited attention to, and is as follows; it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink; to make use of the creatures God has given for service in a free and liberal manner, without excess, and with moderation; and not deprive a man's self of those things he may lawfully partake of, and are necessary for him: to do this

is good for himself, and for the health of his body; and is right in the sight of God, and is comely before men; it is not only lawful, but laudable. There is another version and sense of the words, "it is good to eat and drink him that is fair" (q), or comely; Christ, who is fairer than the children of men; to live by faith on him, to eat his flesh, and drink his blood; but this, however true, spiritual, and evangelical, it seems foreign to the text. It follows, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him; this last clause, "which God giveth him", is not to be connected with "the good of all his labour"; though it is true, that whatever good is got by labour is the gift of God; but with "all the days of his life"; for the life of man, and all the days of it, be they more or fewer, are the gift of God, and according to his determinate will and pleasure; and throughout this time a man should enjoy, in a comfortable way, with thankfulness to God, the good things he has gotten by his labour and industry, through the blessing of God along with them. This Solomon frequently inculcates; Aben Ezra says, this is the third time, but it seems to be the fourth; see Ecc 2:24 ; for it is his portion; that is, in this life; for otherwise, if a good man, he has a better portion in another: this is the part which God has allotted to him here; and it is his duty, and for his good and comfort, to make use of it. (q) "Bonum est, cum qui pulcher est, edere et bibere, h. e. Christo per fidem frui; nova et singularis expositio", Rambachius.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (20 words)

H1571 גַּם
Definition:

6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ 6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ

Possible Meanings:
  • moreover (semantic_range)
  • yea (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H5414 נָתַן
Definition:

19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj 19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj

Possible Meanings:
  • give (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H6239 עשֶׁר
Definition:

25riches; —׳עabsoluteGenesis 31:627t. constructEsther 1:4; suffixעָשְׁרוֺJeremiah 9:225t.,עָשְׁרָםPsalm 49:7;Proverbs 14:24; + (or "")כָּבוֺד1Kings 3:13;Proverbs 3:169t.;׳עָשָׂה עJeremiah 17:11, compa 25riches; —׳עabsoluteGenesis 31:627t. constructEsther 1:4; suffixעָשְׁרוֺJeremiah 9:225t.,עָשְׁרָםPsalm 49:7;Proverbs 14:24; + (or "")כָּבוֺד1Kings 3:13;Proverbs 3:169t.;׳עָשָׂה עJeremiah 17:11, compa

Possible Meanings:
  • a ten (semantic_range)
H5233 נֶכֶס
Definition:

8only pluralנְכָסִיםriches, treasures(probably Assyrian or Aramaic loan-word, compare Assyriannikâsu,property,wealth,gain, DlHWB 463, Syriacwealth; on derivation from Assyriannikâsu,cut off,hew down,b 8only pluralנְכָסִיםriches, treasures(probably Assyrian or Aramaic loan-word, compare Assyriannikâsu,property,wealth,gain, DlHWB 463, Syriacwealth; on derivation from Assyriannikâsu,cut off,hew down,b

H7980 שָׁלַט
Definition:

9, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשְׁלַטEcclesiastes 2:19, etc.;Infinitive constructשְׁלוֺטEsther 9:1; —domineer, lord itover,עַלperson,Nehemiah 5:15;בpersonEcclesiastes 8:9(לְרַע לוֺ);בof thingEc 9, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשְׁלַטEcclesiastes 2:19, etc.;Infinitive constructשְׁלוֺטEsther 9:1; —domineer, lord itover,עַלperson,Nehemiah 5:15;בpersonEcclesiastes 8:9(לְרַע לוֺ);בof thingEc

Possible Meanings:
  • have power (semantic_range)
  • rule (semantic_range)
  • have power (semantic_range)
  • make ruler (semantic_range)
H0398 אָכַל
Definition:

28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו 28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו

Possible Meanings:
  • eat (semantic_range)
  • devour (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H5375 נָשָׂא
Definition:

35carry away(of wind, with accusative of thing);Imperativemasculine singularשֵׂאEzra 5:15take(accusative vessels).Hithpa.make a rising, an insurrection: Participlefeminine singularמִתְנַשְּׂאָהEzra 4: 35carry away(of wind, with accusative of thing);Imperativemasculine singularשֵׂאEzra 5:15take(accusative vessels).Hithpa.make a rising, an insurrection: Participlefeminine singularמִתְנַשְּׂאָהEzra 4:

Possible Meanings:
  • lift (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H2506 חֵלֶק
Definition:

5portion, tract, territory—׳חabsoluteGenesis 31:14+; constructGenesis 14:24+; suffixחֶלְקִיPsalm 16:56t.;חֶלְקְךָNumbers 18:20;Ecclesiastes 9:9;חֶלְקֶ֑ךָPsalm 50:18;חֶלְקֵךְIsaiah 57:6;חֶלְקוֺHabakkuk 5portion, tract, territory—׳חabsoluteGenesis 31:14+; constructGenesis 14:24+; suffixחֶלְקִיPsalm 16:56t.;חֶלְקְךָNumbers 18:20;Ecclesiastes 9:9;חֶלְקֶ֑ךָPsalm 50:18;חֶלְקֵךְIsaiah 57:6;חֶלְקוֺHabakkuk

Possible Meanings:
  • possession (semantic_range)
  • lot (semantic_range)
H8055 שָׂמַח
Definition:

9;וְשָׂמֵ֑חַconsecutiveProverbs 29:6; 3feminine singularשָׂמֵ֑חָהEsther 8:15; 2masculine singularוְשָׂמַחְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 12:18+; 3 masculine pluralשָׂמֵ֑חוּNehemiah 12:43, etc.;ImperfectיִשְׂמַחIsaia 9;וְשָׂמֵ֑חַconsecutiveProverbs 29:6; 3feminine singularשָׂמֵ֑חָהEsther 8:15; 2masculine singularוְשָׂמַחְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 12:18+; 3 masculine pluralשָׂמֵ֑חוּNehemiah 12:43, etc.;ImperfectיִשְׂמַחIsaia

Possible Meanings:
  • glad (semantic_range)
  • joyful (semantic_range)
  • merry (semantic_range)
H5999 עָמָל
Definition:

8feminineEcclesiastes 10:15(against AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 113, see KöSynt. § 249 m)trouble, labour, toil(on this form as abstract see LagBN 143BaNB 105); —׳עNumbers 23:21+; constructעֲמַלJudges 10:16+; 8feminineEcclesiastes 10:15(against AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 113, see KöSynt. § 249 m)trouble, labour, toil(on this form as abstract see LagBN 143BaNB 105); —׳עNumbers 23:21+; constructעֲמַלJudges 10:16+;

Possible Meanings:
  • toiling (semantic_range)
H2090 זֹה
Definition:

19;Ezekiel 40:45;Ecclesiastes 2:2,24;Ecclesiastes 5:15;Ecclesiastes 5:18;Ecclesiastes 7:23;Ecclesiastes 9:13(זאתdoes not occur in Ecclesiastes); also in the phraseכָּזֹה וְכָזֶה(seeזה6cβ).Topical Lexi 19;Ezekiel 40:45;Ecclesiastes 2:2,24;Ecclesiastes 5:15;Ecclesiastes 5:18;Ecclesiastes 7:23;Ecclesiastes 9:13(זאתdoes not occur in Ecclesiastes); also in the phraseכָּזֹה וְכָזֶה(seeזה6cβ).Topical Lexi

Possible Meanings:
  • this (semantic_range)
H4991 מַתָּת
Definition:

7; constructמַתַּתProverbs 25:144t.; —gift= reward1 Kings 13:7;מַתַּת יָדוֺthe gift of his hand, i.e. of his power, what he is able to giveEzekiel 46:5,11 (compareמַתָּנָהandיָד2);אֱלֹהִים׳מEcclesiast 7; constructמַתַּתProverbs 25:144t.; —gift= reward1 Kings 13:7;מַתַּת יָדוֺthe gift of his hand, i.e. of his power, what he is able to giveEzekiel 46:5,11 (compareמַתָּנָהandיָד2);אֱלֹהִים׳מEcclesiast

H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

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