Ecclesiastes 5

Ecclesiastes 5 is the fifth chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.Template:Sfn The book contains philosophical speeches by a character called '(the) Qoheleth' ("the Teacher"), composed probably between the fifth and second centuries BCE.Template:Sfn Peshitta, Targum, and Talmud attribute the authorship of the book to King Solomon. This chapter contains advice on how to approach God the right way, and a discussion about poverty and wealth.Template:Sfn

Text

The original text was written in Hebrew. This chapter is divided into 19 or 20 verses.Template:Efn

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008).Template:SfnTemplate:Efn Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls [[4Q109|4QQohTemplate:Sup (4Q109]]; 175-150 BCE; extant verses 13–17).

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $𝔊$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: $𝔊$^S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; $𝔊$^A; 5th century).Template:Sfn The Greek text is probably derived from the work of Aquila of Sinope or his followers.Template:Sfn

Structure

Stuart Weeks treats verses 1-9 as a section dealing with "fear of God", and connects verses 10-20 and 6:1-12 as a section dealing with "the problems and inadequacies of wealth".Template:Sfn The New King James Version has two sections:

• Template:Bibleref2 = Fear God, Keep Your Vows
• Template:Bibleref2 = The Vanity of Gain and Honor

The New International Version divides the verses in a similar pattern. In Hebrew texts, verse 1 is numbered 4:17, and verses 2-20 are numbered as 5:1-19.

The approach to God (5:1–7)

The lack of solution in chapter 4 on the theme of companionship leads the reader to consider whether God is the answer, and this part shows how to approach God in the right way.Template:Sfn

Verse 7

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

• "Fear God" here is used in its literal sense,Template:Sfn just as respect and awe before God can be found to be central values in wisdom literature.Template:Sfn

The poor under oppressive bureaucracy (5:8–9)

Weeks suggests these two verses are "notoriously difficult".Template:Sfn Qoheleth points to the frustration of the poor facing delays to obtain justice due to oppressive bureaucracy and tiers of hierarchy.Template:Sfn "He that is higher than the highest regardeth" (KJV), from Hebrew Template:Lang Template:Strong-number Template:Strong-number Template:Strong-number Template:Strong-number, is also translated as "the high official is watched by a higher" (NRSV), not referring to an official of any government bureaucracy, but rather ambitious people who strive to be higher than others.Template:Sfn However, there will always people higher than those,Template:Sfn ultimately pointing to God as the highest one.Template:Sfn

The problems and inadequacies of wealth (5:10–20)

A quote of Ecclesiastes 5:1 engraved above the left entrance door at the west façade of the Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

This section starts by stating three concise points about financial greed (verses 10–12): the lover of money never have enough; increasing resources will result in bigger financial commitments; more wealth causes less peace.Template:Sfn The rich man could not pass any of the wealth to their offsprings (verse 14) nor take anything to the next life (verse 15).Template:Sfn The whole passage of 5:8 to 6:9 is arranged as such that the outer sections will point to the center at verse 20.Template:Sfn Qoheleth reiterates his earlier conclusion that God's gift is the ability to find enjoyment in the wealth,Template:Sfn which keep humans occupied in life,Template:Sfn so that "they should not much call to mind the days of their lives".Template:Sfn

Verse 20

For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

As God gives joy to people as the antidote to their obsessions, people should not think too much ahead but to enjoy the present.Template:Sfn That capacity for enjoyment of God's other gifts is also a gift of God, a theme which Qoheleth develops in chapter 6.Template:Sfn E. H. Plumptre offers "a satisfying meaning":Template:Quote

See also

• Related Bible parts: Ecclesiastes 2

Sources

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External links

• Jewish translations:
  • Kohelet – Ecclesiastes - Chapter 5 (Judaica Press) translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
  • Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 King James Version
• Template:Librivox book Various versions