Ecclesiastes 5:14

14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.
The Message Bible (MSG)
14 And then loses it all in a bad business deal. He fathered a child but hasn't a cent left to give him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
14 and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
14 These hoarded riches were then lost in bad business deals. The owners had children, but now they have nothing to give them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
14 It's also when wealth is lost because of an unwise business deal. Then there won't be anything left for the owner's son.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:14

But those riches perish by evil travail
Or, "by an evil business or affair" F14. That is, such riches as are not well got, or are not used as they should be, these waste away and come to nothing; either by the owner's bad management, and misconduct in trade and business; or by fire, tempest, thieves, and robbers, and many other ways and means: these are very certain things; and there are various ways by which they make themselves wings and flee away, under the direction of a divine providence; and he begetteth a son, and [there is] nothing in his hand;
the riches he had hoarded up, he designed for his son; but being stripped of them by one means or another, when he comes to die, has nothing to leave his son: or if his riches do not perish in his own lifetime, yet they are quickly consumed by his son, who, in a short time, has nothing to live upon; and so being brought up a gentleman, and in no business, is in a worse condition than such who have been brought up to work for their living, and in no expectation of an estate after the decease of their friends. The Targum understands it in this latter sense, paraphrasing the words thus,

``and those riches, which he shall leave his son after his death, shall perish, because he hath gotten them in an evil way; and they shall not remain in the hand of the son whom he hath begotten; neither shall anything remain in his hand.''

FOOTNOTES:

F14 (er Nyneb) "occupatione, negotio, vel casu malo", Gejerus.

Ecclesiastes 5:14 In-Context

12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?
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