Ecclesiastes 10:19 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Bible Comments

A feast is made for laughter, &c. Not merely for caring, but chiefly for pleasant conversation, and the society of friends; not the laughter of fools, which is madness, but that of wise men, namely, that cheerfulness by which they fit themselves for business and severe studies: and wine maketh merry Hebrew, ישׂמח חיים, maketh glad the life, exhilarates the mind; but money answereth all things Procures not only meat and drink for feasting, but all other worldly advantages. Therefore be frugal, and spend not all in luxurious eating and drinking, remembering, that money is wanted for a great many other purposes. Some refer this verse to rulers, and consider this last clause as being added to aggravate the sin and folly of luxury, to which, when princes give up themselves, they not only neglect their business, but thereby waste that money and treasure which are so highly necessary for the support and preservation of themselves and their kingdoms: and, in consequence thereof, are obliged to squeeze money out of their people by oppressive taxes, and other dishonourable and dangerous practices.

Ecclesiastes 10:19

19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.