Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ecclesiastes 4:8" mean?
This verse from Ecclesiastes 4:8 paints a picture of a man consumed by his work, driven to accumulate wealth, but ultimately finding no satisfaction in it. Let's break it down:
"There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother." This describes a solitary individual. He's isolated, lacking close family connections, perhaps suggesting that he has prioritized work and wealth over relationships.
"There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth." This highlights the insatiable nature of his pursuit. He works tirelessly, but his wealth never brings contentment. He is always striving for more, and the cycle of labor continues without end.
“For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This is the crux of the verse. The man begins to question the point of his relentless work. If he has no family to provide for and his wealth doesn't bring happiness, then why is he sacrificing his well-being and pleasure?
"This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business." The Preacher (author of Ecclesiastes) concludes that this situation is "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel), meaning meaningless, futile, or like a puff of smoke that quickly dissipates. The pursuit of wealth at the expense of everything else is a "miserable business" because it leaves the individual empty and unfulfilled.
In essence, the verse illustrates the dangers of unchecked ambition and materialism. It suggests that a life solely focused on work and wealth accumulation, without relationships, purpose, or enjoyment, is ultimately meaningless and unsatisfying. The man in the verse is working for no one, not even himself, as he's denying himself pleasure in the process. He's trapped in a cycle of labor with no ultimate reward.
Key Themes:
The futility of materialism: Wealth alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment.
The importance of relationships: Isolation and the absence of family contribute to the man's dissatisfaction.
The need for balance: A life devoted solely to work is ultimately empty if it lacks purpose, enjoyment, and connection.
This verse is a classic example of the wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes, which challenges conventional notions of success and encourages readers to seek meaning and purpose beyond material possessions.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.
What does "Ecclesiastes 4:8" mean?
This verse from Ecclesiastes 4:8 paints a picture of a man consumed by his work, driven to accumulate wealth, but ultimately finding no satisfaction in it. Let's break it down:
"There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother." This describes a solitary individual. He's isolated, lacking close family connections, perhaps suggesting that he has prioritized work and wealth over relationships.
"There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth." This highlights the insatiable nature of his pursuit. He works tirelessly, but his wealth never brings contentment. He is always striving for more, and the cycle of labor continues without end.
“For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This is the crux of the verse. The man begins to question the point of his relentless work. If he has no family to provide for and his wealth doesn't bring happiness, then why is he sacrificing his well-being and pleasure?
"This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business." The Preacher (author of Ecclesiastes) concludes that this situation is "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel), meaning meaningless, futile, or like a puff of smoke that quickly dissipates. The pursuit of wealth at the expense of everything else is a "miserable business" because it leaves the individual empty and unfulfilled.
In essence, the verse illustrates the dangers of unchecked ambition and materialism. It suggests that a life solely focused on work and wealth accumulation, without relationships, purpose, or enjoyment, is ultimately meaningless and unsatisfying. The man in the verse is working for no one, not even himself, as he's denying himself pleasure in the process. He's trapped in a cycle of labor with no ultimate reward.
Key Themes:
The futility of materialism: Wealth alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment.
The importance of relationships: Isolation and the absence of family contribute to the man's dissatisfaction.
The need for balance: A life devoted solely to work is ultimately empty if it lacks purpose, enjoyment, and connection.
This verse is a classic example of the wisdom literature of Ecclesiastes, which challenges conventional notions of success and encourages readers to seek meaning and purpose beyond material possessions.