The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:15

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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 (Psalms 49:17). As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came. There is a plain reference to Job 1:21, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither." The mother 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" (Psalms 139:15). 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." 1 Timothy 6:7, "We brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry anything out." Thus Propertius, 'Eleg.,' 3.5. 13—

"Hand ullas portabis opes Acherontis ad undas,

Nudus ab inferna, stulte, vehere rate."

"No wealth thou'lt take to Acheron's dark shore,

Naked, th' infernal bark will bear thee o'er."

Shall take nothing of his labor; rather, for his labor, the preposition being בְּ of price. He gets nothing by his long toil in amassing wealth. Which he may carry away in his hand, as his own possession. The ruined Dives points a moral for all men.

More for Ecclesiastes 5:15

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:1-20Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:8-17Ecclesiastes 5:8-17 · The Pulpit CommentarySection 7. Perils to which one is exposed in a despotic state, and the unprofitableness of riches. Ecclesiastes 5:8, Ecclesiastes 5:9 In political life there is little that is satisfactory; yet one must not surrender on…Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:9-17Ecclesiastes 5:9-17 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. T…The Vanity of RichesEcclesiastes 5:9-17 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE VANITY OF RICHES. Solomon had shown the vanity of pleasure, gaiety, and fine works, of honour, power, and royal dignity; and there is many a covetous worldling that will agree with him, and speak as slightly as he d…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:10-17Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe thought of the acts of injustice and oppression noticed above, all of which spring from the craving for money, leads the bard to dwell upon the evils that accompany this pursuit and possession of wealth, which is th…The Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:13-17Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnother view of the evils attendant upon riches is here presented: the owner may lose them at a stroke, and leave nothing for his children. This thought is presented in different lights.

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:1-20EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:8-17Section 7. Perils to which one is exposed in a despotic state, and the unprofitableness of riches. Ecclesiastes 5:8, Ecclesiastes 5:9 In political life there is little that is satisfactory; yet one must not surrender on…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 5:9-17The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. T…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Vanity of RichesTHE VANITY OF RICHES. Solomon had shown the vanity of pleasure, gaiety, and fine works, of honour, power, and royal dignity; and there is many a covetous worldling that will agree with him, and speak as slightly as he d…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:10-17The thought of the acts of injustice and oppression noticed above, all of which spring from the craving for money, leads the bard to dwell upon the evils that accompany this pursuit and possession of wealth, which is th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:13-17Another view of the evils attendant upon riches is here presented: the owner may lose them at a stroke, and leave nothing for his children. This thought is presented in different lights.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5:15-16The difference at death. Even when we have been long looking for the departure of one whose powers as well as his days are spent, his death, when it does come, makes a great difference to us. Between life at its lowest…Joseph S. Exell and contributors