Ecclesiastes 5:16

Arabic SAB (الكتاب الشريف)

وَهَذَا أَيْضًا مَأْسَاةٌ فَظِيعَةٌ، أَنْ يَرْجِعَ كَمَا جَاءَ، فَمَاذَا اسْتَفَادَ؟ لَا شَيْءَ! لِأَنَّ تَعَبَهُ ضَاعَ هَبَاءً.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Ecclesiastes talks about how life is full of work and effort, but in the end, we leave with nothing we brought in. The speaker suggests that all our labor feels like chasing the wind and is ultimately meaningless. This is a message about the futility of worldly pursuits.

Explained for Children

Imagine building a big sandcastle on the beach. You work really hard to make it look amazing, but when the tide comes in, it washes everything away. Just like the sandcastle, we work hard in life, but we can't take anything with us when we go.

Historical Background

Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon or a writer adopting his name, likely around the 3rd century BCE. It was written for the Israelite community, reflecting on the meaning of life and the futility of worldly pursuits in a culture that valued wisdom and understanding.

Living It Out Today

Consider someone who spends their whole life climbing the corporate ladder, only to retire and find themselves unsatisfied with the accumulation of wealth. This verse reminds us to find meaning beyond material success.

Topics

• wisdom
• work
• meaning
• futility
• spirituality
• wealth

Related Verses

• Psalm 127:1
• Isaiah 55:2
• Matthew 6:25-34
• Ecclesiastes 2:26
• Hebrews 12:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'laboured for the wind' mean?

It means working very hard for something that ultimately proves to be meaningless or unattainable, like trying to catch the wind.

How can this verse help us?

This verse can help us by reminding us to focus on what truly matters in life and not to waste our efforts on things that will not bring lasting satisfaction.

Is this verse saying that all work is futile?

No, it is saying that focusing solely on worldly achievements without considering deeper meaning can lead to a sense of futility. Work has value when it aligns with a broader purpose.

How does this verse relate to modern life?

In modern life, where success is often measured by material wealth and status, this verse encourages us to reflect on what truly gives our lives meaning and fulfillment beyond these external measures.