But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
But those riches are lost through bad business deals or disasters, and when he has a son, there is nothing left in his hands to give him.
The writer is showing how wealth can disappear suddenly, leaving a person with nothing to pass on to their children.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book attributed to King Solomon, written during a time when ancient Israel was experiencing wealth and prosperity under his rule, but it reflects on the futility of human endeavors apart from God. In this cultural context, wealth was often viewed as a divine blessing, yet the author warns that riches can be lost through misfortune or hard labor, emphasizing the temporary nature of material possessions. This verse specifically illustrates how someone might accumulate wealth only to see it vanish, leaving nothing for their descendants.
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