Ecclesiastes 2:24

What does Ecclesiastes 2:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 2:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There is nothing better for a manthanthat he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There is nothing better for a manthanthat he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

There is nothing good in a man who eateth, and hath drunk, and hath shewn his soul good in his labour. This also I have seen that it <FI>is<Fi> from the hand of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Is it not better to eat and drink, and to shew his soul good things of his labours? and this is from the hand of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There is nothing good for man, but that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand ofGod.

Context

v.23For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

v.24This passage

v.25For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 14:17

    And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

  • Malachi 2:2

    If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Jehovah of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

  • Deuteronomy 12:18

    but thou shalt eat them before Jehovah thy God in the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before Jehovah thy God in all that thou puttest thy hand unto.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:15

    Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:7

    Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:12

    I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

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