A feast is prepared for laughter
In ancient Near Eastern culture, feasts were significant social events, often associated with joy and celebration. They were occasions for community bonding and were typically marked by abundance and generosity. The Bible frequently references feasts as times of joy and fellowship, such as in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:23-24). Feasts in biblical times were not only about physical nourishment but also about emotional and spiritual refreshment, reflecting the communal aspect of life in Israelite society.

and wine makes life merry
Wine was a common beverage in biblical times, often associated with joy and celebration. It was a staple in the diet and used in religious ceremonies, symbolizing blessing and abundance. The Bible acknowledges the positive aspects of wine, as seen in Psalm 104:15, which speaks of wine gladdening the heart. However, it also warns against excess and drunkenness (Proverbs 20:1). The dual nature of wine as both a gift and a potential stumbling block reflects the need for moderation and wisdom in its consumption.

but money is the answer for everything
This phrase reflects the practical realities of life, acknowledging the power and influence of wealth. In the ancient world, as today, money was necessary for meeting basic needs and facilitating trade and commerce. The Bible often addresses the role of money, warning against the love of it (1 Timothy 6:10) and emphasizing the importance of using wealth wisely and justly. While money can solve many practical problems, the Bible also teaches that it cannot provide true fulfillment or salvation, which are found only in God (Matthew 6:19-21). This phrase serves as a reminder of the limitations of material wealth and the importance of prioritizing spiritual riches.

1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings.

2. Jerusalem
- The central place of worship and governance during Solomon's reign, often associated with the setting of his teachings.

3. Feasts
- Social and religious gatherings in ancient Israel, often involving food, drink, and celebration.

4. Wine
- A common beverage in biblical times, symbolizing joy and festivity but also caution against excess.

5. Money
- Represents material wealth and its influence on human affairs, a recurring theme in wisdom literature.The Temporary Nature of Earthly Pleasures
Feasting and wine bring temporary joy, but they do not provide lasting fulfillment. Christians are encouraged to seek joy in the Lord, which is eternal.

The Role of Money in Life
While money can solve many practical problems, it should not be the ultimate pursuit. Believers are called to use their resources wisely and for God's glory.

Balancing Enjoyment and Responsibility
Enjoyment of life’s pleasures is not inherently wrong, but it must be balanced with responsibility and stewardship. Christians should enjoy God's blessings without falling into excess.

The Danger of Materialism
The verse highlights the potential for materialism to overshadow spiritual values. Believers must guard against allowing money to become an idol.

Wisdom in Financial Stewardship
Understanding the role of money in life requires wisdom. Christians are encouraged to seek God's guidance in financial decisions and to prioritize generosity.(19) I look on these verses as isolated proverbs, and believe that the obvious meaning suggested by the English of this verse is the right one. Those who strive to trace a continuity of thought take Ecclesiastes 10:18 as a figurative description of the ruin of an ill-governed land; Ecclesiastes 10:19 as describing the riot of those rulers who make feasts for merriment, and have money freely at their disposal; and (Ecclesiastes 10:20) as a warning to the subjects to beware how, notwithstanding all this mis-government, they venture to rebel.

Verse 19. - A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry. Here is a cause of the decay spoken of above. The rulers spend in revelry and debauchery the time and energy which they ought to give to affairs of state. More literally, for merriment they make bread, and wine [that] cheereth life; i.e. they use God's good gifts of bread and wine as means of intemperance and thoughtless pleasure. So a psalmist speaks of wine as making glad the heart of man (Psalm 104:15); and Ben-Sira says, "Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is there to a man that is without wine? for it was created to make men glad. Wine measurably drunk and in season bringeth gladness of the heart, and cheer fullness of the mind" (Ecclus. 31. [34.] 27, 28). But money answereth all things; i.e. grants all that such persons want. It requires money to provide rich food and costly wines; this they possess, and they are thus able to indulge their appetites to the utmost. It concerns them not how such resources are obtained - won by extortion from a starving people, exacted in exorbitant taxation, pillaged by unscrupulous instruments; they want gold to expend on their lusts, and they get it same-how, and with it all that in their view makes life worth living. Commentators alto Horace, ' Ep.,' 1:6.36, "Scilicet uxorem," etc.

"For why - a portioned wife, fair fame, and friends,
Beauty and birth on sovereign Wealth attends.
Blest is her votary throned his bags among?
Persuasion's self sits perched upon his tongue;
Love beams in every feature of his face,
And every gesture beams celestial grace."

(Howes.) Corn. a Lapide appositely quotes -

"...quidquid nummis praesentibus opta,
Et veniet; clausum possidet arca Jovem."

"If thou hast gold, then wish for anything,
And it will surely come; the money-box
Hath in it a most potent deity." Pineda, followed by Metals, suggests that this verse may be taken in a good sense. He would make ver. 18 correspond to ver. 16, characterizing the government of debauchees, and ver. 19 correspond to ver. 17, representing the rule of temperate princes where all is peace and prosperity. But there is nothing grammatical to indicate this arrangement; and the explanation given above is doubtless correct. The Septuagint Version is not faithful in our present text, though it is followed virtually by the Syriac: Αἰς γέλωτα ποιοῦσιν ἄρτον καὶ οϊνον καὶ ἔλαιον τοῦ εὐφρανθῆναι ζῶντας καὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου ταπεινώσει ἐπακούσεται τὰ πάντα "For gladness they make bread and wine and oil, that the living may rejoice, and to money all things will humble themselves, will obey" (doubly translating the word).

Parallel Commentaries ...

A feast
לֶ֔חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

is prepared
עֹשִׂ֣ים (‘ō·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for laughter,
לִשְׂחוֹק֙ (liś·ḥō·wq)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7814: Laughter, derision, sport

and wine
וְיַ֖יִן (wə·ya·yin)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

makes life
חַיִּ֑ים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

merry,
יְשַׂמַּ֣ח (yə·śam·maḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

but money
וְהַכֶּ֖סֶף (wə·hak·ke·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

is the answer
יַעֲנֶ֥ה (ya·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

for everything.
הַכֹּֽל׃ (hak·kōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)