The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep. The sleep of the laborer is sweetThe Hebrew word for "laborer" is "עָמֵל" (amel), which refers to one who works hard, often with physical toil. In the ancient Near Eastern context, laborers were typically those who worked the land or engaged in manual tasks. The "sweet" sleep signifies a deep, restful, and satisfying rest, a reward for honest toil. This phrase highlights a biblical principle that aligns with the value of hard work and the peace that comes from a clear conscience and a day's labor well done. It suggests that there is a divine blessing in simplicity and diligence, where the laborer, despite his modest means, finds contentment and rest. whether he eats little or much
This phrase underscores the idea that contentment and peace are not dependent on material abundance. The Hebrew culture, much like today, often equated wealth with happiness. However, this verse challenges that notion by suggesting that the laborer's satisfaction and restful sleep are not contingent upon the quantity of his provisions. The emphasis is on the sufficiency of God's provision, whether in scarcity or abundance, and the inner peace that comes from trusting in God's care rather than in material wealth. but the abundance of the rich
The term "abundance" in Hebrew is "שָׂבָע" (sava), which implies an excess or surplus. The "rich" are those who possess more than they need, often leading to a life of indulgence and excess. Historically, wealth in biblical times was often associated with power and influence, but also with responsibility and potential pitfalls. This phrase serves as a cautionary note about the dangers of wealth, where abundance can lead to anxiety, greed, and a restless spirit. It reflects the biblical teaching that wealth, while not inherently evil, can become a snare if it leads to a misplaced trust or a distraction from spiritual priorities. permits him no sleep
The Hebrew word for "permits" is "אֵינֶנּוּ" (enennu), which conveys a sense of not allowing or preventing. The rich man's inability to sleep is a metaphor for the inner turmoil and anxiety that often accompany the pursuit and maintenance of wealth. This phrase suggests that the preoccupations and worries associated with riches can rob one of peace and rest. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of wealth in providing true security and contentment. The verse contrasts the simple, peaceful life of the laborer with the restless, troubled existence of the wealthy, emphasizing the biblical truth that true rest and peace come from God, not from material possessions. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LaborerRepresents the common worker who finds satisfaction and rest in honest labor, regardless of material wealth. 2. The Rich ManSymbolizes those who possess great wealth but are often burdened by the cares and anxieties that accompany it. 3. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was a king known for his wisdom, wealth, and eventual realization of the vanity of earthly pursuits. 4. Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical context in which Ecclesiastes was written, where wealth and labor were significant aspects of daily life. 5. SleepUsed metaphorically to represent peace and contentment, contrasting the restlessness of those consumed by wealth. Teaching Points Contentment in SimplicityThe verse highlights the peace found in a simple life, encouraging believers to find satisfaction in their daily work and trust in God's provision. The Burden of WealthWealth can bring anxiety and restlessness, reminding Christians to evaluate their priorities and focus on eternal values rather than material accumulation. Trust in God's ProvisionThe laborer's sweet sleep serves as a reminder to trust in God's provision, knowing that He cares for our needs regardless of our material circumstances. The Vanity of Earthly PursuitsSolomon's reflection on wealth and restlessness serves as a caution against pursuing wealth at the expense of spiritual peace and contentment. The Importance of RestPhysical and spiritual rest are essential for well-being, and believers are encouraged to find rest in Christ, who offers true peace. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of "sweet sleep" for the laborer challenge our modern views on work and rest? 2. In what ways can the pursuit of wealth lead to restlessness and anxiety, as seen in the life of the rich man? 3. How can we apply the principle of contentment in simplicity to our daily lives, especially in a consumer-driven society? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that our priorities align with eternal values rather than temporary, material wealth? 5. How do other scriptures, such as those in Proverbs and the New Testament, reinforce the message of Ecclesiastes 5:12 regarding wealth and contentment? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 3:24This verse speaks of the peaceful sleep granted to those who trust in the Lord, paralleling the sweet sleep of the laborer in Ecclesiastes. Matthew 6:19-21Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, echoing the theme of the futility of earthly wealth. 1 Timothy 6:6-10Paul warns against the love of money and emphasizes contentment, aligning with the message of Ecclesiastes regarding the burdens of wealth. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abundance, Allow, Eat, Eaten, Eateth, Eats, Full, Fulness, Laborer, Laboring, Labourer, Labouring, Permits, Pleasant, Rich, Satiety, Sleep, Stomach, Suffer, Suffering, Sufficiency, Surfeit, Sweet, Wealthy, Whether, WorkingDictionary of Bible Themes Ecclesiastes 5:12 5057 rest, physical
5386 leisure, nature of
5387 leisure, pastimes
5418 monotony
5503 rich, the
5533 sleep, physical
5537 sleeplessness
5802 care
5933 restlessness
8780 materialism, and sin
8810 riches, dangers Ecclesiastes 5:8-15 5916 pessimism Ecclesiastes 5:10-14 8812 riches, ungodly use Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 5907 miserliness Library Naked or Clothed?
'As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.'--ECCLES. v. 15. '... Their works do follow them.'--REV. xiv. 13. It is to be observed that these two sharply contrasted texts do not refer to the same persons. The former is spoken of a rich worldling, the latter of 'the dead who die in the Lord.' The unrelieved gloom of the one is as a dark background against which the triumphant assurance of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLessons for Worship and for Work
'Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few. 3. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. 4. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
1. That thou art going to the court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his majesty speak unto thee by his word; and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days past. 2. Say with thyself by the way--"As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Literature.
i. editions of chrysostom's works. S. Joannis Chrysostomi, archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani, Opera omnia quæ exstant vel quæ ejus nomine circumferuntur, ad mss. codices Gallicos, Vaticanos, Anglicos, Germanicosque castigata, etc. Opera et studio D.Bernardi de Montfaucon, monachi ordinis S. Benedicti e congregatione S. Mauri, opem ferentibus aliis ex codem sodalitio, monachis. Greek and Latin, Paris, 1718-'38, in 13 vols., fol. This is the best edition, and the result of about twenty …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life There is a Blessedness in Reversion
Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Having done with the occasion, I come now to the sermon itself. Blessed are the poor in spirit'. Christ does not begin his Sermon on the Mount as the Law was delivered on the mount, with commands and threatenings, the trumpet sounding, the fire flaming, the earth quaking, and the hearts of the Israelites too for fear; but our Saviour (whose lips dropped as the honeycomb') begins with promises and blessings. So sweet and ravishing was the doctrine of this …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Ecclesiastes
It is not surprising that the book of Ecclesiastes had a struggle to maintain its place in the canon, and it was probably only its reputed Solomonic authorship and the last two verses of the book that permanently secured its position at the synod of Jamnia in 90 A.D. The Jewish scholars of the first century A.D. were struck by the manner in which it contradicted itself: e.g., "I praised the dead more than the living," iv. 2, "A living dog is better than a dead lion," ix. 4; but they were still more …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ecclesiastes 5:12 NIVEcclesiastes 5:12 NLTEcclesiastes 5:12 ESVEcclesiastes 5:12 NASBEcclesiastes 5:12 KJV
Ecclesiastes 5:12 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
