Ecclesiastes 5:13 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm."
Sitting at the heart of the chapter, this verse is part of the central message. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret Ecclesiastes 5:13 inside the chapter flow.
Ecclesiastes 5:11
When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
Ecclesiastes 5:12
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
Ecclesiastes 5:14
Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.
Ecclesiastes 5:15
As he came out of his mother"s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
Meaning and Themes
Ecclesiastes 5:13 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "grievous" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after Ecclesiastes 5:13. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining Ecclesiastes 5:13 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read Ecclesiastes 5:13 — "There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm." — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read Ecclesiastes 5 in full. Mark where verse 13 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read Ecclesiastes 5:13 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did Ecclesiastes 5:13 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how Ecclesiastes 5:13 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn Ecclesiastes 5:13 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
Use this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
RecommendedTurn this verse into a decision-making framework for real choices.
When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does Ecclesiastes 5:13 mean?
Ecclesiastes 5:13 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply Ecclesiastes 5:13 to my life today?
Start by reading Ecclesiastes 5:13 slowly: "There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm." Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is Ecclesiastes 5:13 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read Ecclesiastes 5:13 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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