Ecclesiastes 5:15,16 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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.

Nothing of (not withstanding) his labour ... this also (is) a sore evil ... - as in Ecclesiastes 5:13 the uncertainty of wealth was dwelt on, and its vicissitudes; so here the certainty of its being lost at death is put forward as "a sore evil." Even supposing that he loses not his wealth before death, then at least he must go striped of it all (Psalms 49:17).

Laboured for ... wind? - (Hosea 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:26.)

Ecclesiastes 5:15-16

15 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.

16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?