Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? New Living Translation The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! English Standard Version When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Berean Standard Bible When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? King James Bible When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? New King James Version When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? New American Standard Bible When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look at them? NASB 1995 When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? NASB 1977 When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look on? Legacy Standard Bible When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the success to their masters except to look on with their eyes? Amplified Bible When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what advantage is there to their owners except to see them with their eyes? Christian Standard Bible When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes? Holman Christian Standard Bible When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes? American Standard Version When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes? Contemporary English Version The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won't do you any good--others will just spend it for you. English Revised Version When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes? GOD'S WORD® Translation As the number of goods increase, so do the number of people who consume them. What do owners gain [from all their goods] except [the opportunity] to look at them? Good News Translation The richer you are, the more mouths you have to feed. All you gain is the knowledge that you are rich. International Standard Version When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? Majority Standard Bible When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? NET Bible When someone's prosperity increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? New Heart English Bible When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes? Webster's Bible Translation When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners of them, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? World English Bible When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied, and what benefit [is] to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? Young's Literal Translation In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied, and what benefit is to its possessor except the sight of his eyes? Smith's Literal Translation In the multitude of good they were multiplied eating it: and what the success to its possessors but seeing with his eyes? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhere there are great riches, there are also many to eat them. And what doth it profit the owner, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes? Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Where there are great riches, there are also many to devour them. Of what use are they to the owner except as a feast for the eyes alone? New Revised Standard Version When goods increase, those who eat them increase; and what gain has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen goods increase, they also are increased who eat them; and what profit is there to their owners, except the beholding of them with their eyes? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated In the abundance of good its consumers have increased, and what is the profit to its owner except only the sight of his eyes? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes? Brenton Septuagint Translation In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Wealth…10He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. 11When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? 12The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.… Cross References Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. James 5:1-3 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Matthew 13:22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. / Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Psalm 49:16-17 Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. Treasury of Scripture When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? they Genesis 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. Genesis 13:2,5-7 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold… 1 Kings 4:22,23 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, … what Ecclesiastes 6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Joshua 7:21-25 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it… Jump to Previous Advantage Beholding Benefit Consume Eat Except Eyes Feast Gain Good Goods Increase Increased Multiplied Multiplying Owner Owners Possessor Profit Save Saving Sight ThereofJump to Next Advantage Beholding Benefit Consume Eat Except Eyes Feast Gain Good Goods Increase Increased Multiplied Multiplying Owner Owners Possessor Profit Save Saving Sight ThereofEcclesiastes 5 1. vanities in divine service8. in murmuring against oppression 9. and in riches 18. Joy in riches is the gift of God. When good things increase, This phrase reflects the accumulation of wealth and possessions, a common theme in Ecclesiastes. In the ancient Near Eastern context, prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine favor. However, the Preacher (traditionally understood as Solomon) frequently questions the ultimate value of material wealth. The increase of "good things" can also be seen as a test of character, as wealth can lead to pride or a false sense of security, as warned in Proverbs 11:28. so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes? Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings. 2. Israel - The nation over which Solomon reigned, experiencing prosperity and peace during his rule. 3. Consumers - Refers to those who partake in the increased goods, highlighting the societal dynamics of wealth distribution. 4. Owner - The individual who possesses wealth or goods, facing the challenge of finding true satisfaction in material abundance. Teaching Points The Illusion of Satisfaction in WealthMaterial abundance often attracts more consumers, leading to increased demands and responsibilities. True satisfaction cannot be found in wealth alone. The Burden of Ownership Owning more can lead to more worries and less peace. The owner may find himself merely observing his wealth rather than enjoying it. Contentment Over Accumulation The pursuit of contentment should take precedence over the accumulation of goods. Contentment is found in spiritual richness rather than material wealth. The Temporary Nature of Earthly Possessions Earthly possessions are temporary and can be lost or consumed by others. Investing in eternal values provides lasting fulfillment. Stewardship and Generosity Wealth should be viewed as a tool for stewardship and generosity, not merely for personal gain. Sharing with others can bring joy and purpose.Verse 11. - Koheleth proceeds to notice some of the inconveniences which accompany wealth, which go far to prove that God is over all. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them. The more riches a man possesses, the greater are the claims upon him. He increases his household, retainers, and dependents, and is really none the better off for all his wealth. So Job in his prosperous days is said to have had "a very great household" (Job 1:3), and the servants and laborers employed by Solomon must have taxed to the utmost even his abnormal resources (1 Kings 5:13, etc.). Commentators from Piueda downwards have quoted the remarkable parallel in Xenoph., 'Cyropaed.,' 8:3, wherein the wealthy Persian Pheraulas, who had risen from poverty to high estate, disabuses a young Sacian friend of the idea that his riches made him happier or afforded supreme content. "Do you not know," said he," that I neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep with any more pleasure now than I did when I was poor? by having this abundance I gain merely this, that I have to guard more, to distribute more among others, and to have the trouble of taking care of more. For now numerous domestics demand of me food, drink, clothes; some want the doctor; one comes and brings me sheep that have been torn by wolves, or oxen killed by failing down a precipice, or tells of a murrain that has affected the cattle; so that I seem to myself to have more afflictions in my abundance than I had when I was poor,... It is obligatory on him who possesses much to expend much both on the gods and on friends and on strangers; and whosoever is greatly pleased with the possession of riches will, you may be assured, be greatly annoyed at the expenditure of them." What good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? What it is that the owners behold is doubtful. Ginsburg considers that the increased number of devourers is meant; but surely this sight could hardly be called kishron, "success, profit." So it is better to take the sight to be the amassed wealth. The contemplation of this is the only enjoyment that the possessor realizes. So the Vulgate, Et quid prodest possessori, nisi quod cernit divitias oculis suis? Septuagint, Καὶ τί ἀνδρεία τῷ παρ αὐτῆς ὅτι ἀρχὴ τοῦ ὁρᾷν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ," And in what does the excellence of the owner consist? except the power of seeing it with his eyes." A Lapide quotes Horace's portrait of the miser ('Sat.,' 1:1.66, sqq.) "Populus me sibilat; ut mihi plaudo "He, when the people hissed, would turn about, O'er countless heaps in nicest order stored, Hebrew When good thingsהַטּוֹבָ֔ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good increase, בִּרְבוֹת֙ (bir·ḇō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great so do רַבּ֖וּ (rab·bū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great those who consume them; אוֹכְלֶ֑יהָ (’ō·wḵ·le·hā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 398: To eat what then וּמַה־ (ū·mah-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what is the profit כִּשְׁרוֹן֙ (kiš·rō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3788: Success, advantage to the owner, לִבְעָלֶ֔יהָ (liḇ·‘ā·le·hā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner except כִּ֖י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction to behold them רְא֥וּת (rə·’ūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7200: To see with his eyes? עֵינָֽיו׃ (‘ê·nāw) Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain Links Ecclesiastes 5:11 NIVEcclesiastes 5:11 NLT Ecclesiastes 5:11 ESV Ecclesiastes 5:11 NASB Ecclesiastes 5:11 KJV Ecclesiastes 5:11 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 5:11 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 5:11 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 5:11 French Bible Ecclesiastes 5:11 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:11 When goods increase those who eat them (Ecclesiast. 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