Ecclesiastes 3:13

13 also 1that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is 2God's gift to man.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 3:13

And also that every man should eat and drink
Not to excess, but in moderation; and yet freely, plentifully, and cheerfully; and not alone, but giving the poor a portion with him; and in all having in view the glory of God, ( 1 Corinthians 10:31 ) ; and enjoy the good of all his labour;
take the comfort of what he has been labouring for, and not lay it up for, and leave it to, he knows not who: the Targum is,

``and see good in his days, and cause his children, at the time of his death, to inherit all his labour;''
it [is] the gift of God;
not only to have, but to enjoy, and make a proper use of the mercies of life. This is the same doctrine which is delivered ( Ecclesiastes 2:24 ) .

Ecclesiastes 3:13 In-Context

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;
13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man.
14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Cross References 2

  • 1. See Ecclesiastes 2:24
  • 2. [Ecclesiastes 2:24; Ecclesiastes 5:19]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.