Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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 labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

In Context

23All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.

25Who may take food or have pleasure without him?

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Deuteronomy 12:18But they will be your food before the Lord your God in the place of his selection, where you may make a feast of them, with your son and your daughter, and your man-servant and your woman-servant, and the Levite who is living with you: and you will have joy before the Lord your God in everything to which you put your hand.

Nehemiah 8:10Then he said to them, Go away now, and take the fat for your food and the sweet for your drink, and send some to him for whom nothing is made ready: for this day is holy to our Lord: and let there be no grief in your hearts; for the joy of the Lord is your strong place.

Ecclesiastes 3:12I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.

Ecclesiastes 3:22So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

Ecclesiastes 5:18\5:19\Every man to whom God has given money and wealth and the power to have pleasure in it and to do his part and have joy in his work: this is given by God.

Ecclesiastes 8:15So I gave praise to joy, because there is nothing better for a man to do under the sun than to take meat and drink and be happy; for that will be with him in his work all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Sources of Dissatisfaction; The Cheerful Use of Abundance. 17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

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