24
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 labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
Reference
Greek: ἐκεῖ (ekeî)
there; by extension, thither
Hebrew: bᵉlîymâh
(as indefinitely) nothing whatever
Greek: χρηστός (chrēstós)
employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals)
Hebrew: yôwthêr
properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Hebrew: ʼechâd
properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Hebrew: ʼĕnâsh
a man
Greek: ἤπερ (ḗper)
than at all (or than perhaps, than indeed)
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: γεύομαι (geúomai)
to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill)
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: πίνω (pínō)
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Hebrew: çôbeʼ
potation, concretely (wine), or abstractly (carousal)
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: pâlaç
properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally)
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Hebrew: nᵉdîybâh
properly, nobility, i.e. reputation
Greek: βίος (bíos)
life, i.e. (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood
Hebrew: rᵉkûwsh
property (as gathered)
Greek: τοῦ (toû)
sometimes used for G5127 (τούτου); of this person
Hebrew: gêh
this
Greek: δή (dḗ)
a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc.
Hebrew: ʼôw
desire (and so probably in Proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Hebrew: massôwr
a saw
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ἐγγύς (engýs)
near
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: χείρ (cheír)
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)
Hebrew: ʼekeph
a load; by implication, a stroke (others dignity)
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Good
Acts 14:17
Parallel theme
Ecclesiastes 3:22
1 Corinthians 15:32
Malachi 2:2
References God
Ecclesiastes 8:15
1 Timothy 6:17
Deuteronomy 12:18
Ecclesiastes 6:2
Deuteronomy 12:12
Verse Explanation
The Teacher recognizes that enjoying food, drink, and work can be good. These ordinary pleasures are presented as gifts from God rather than achievements humans can control completely.
History
Shared meals and agricultural products such as bread, wine, and oil were central parts of ancient Israelite life.