Discovery BoxEcclesiastes 5:14 
Context5:14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck; 1
although he fathered a son, he has nothing left to give him. 2
Ecclesiastes 5:17
Context5:17 Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, 3
and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.
Ecclesiastes 10:3
Context10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, 4
and shows 5 everyone what a fool he is. 6
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Context11:4 He who watches the wind will not sow,
and he who observes the clouds will not reap. 7
1 tn Or “through a bad business deal.” The basic meaning of עִנְיַן (’inyan) is “business; affair” (HALOT 857 s.v. עִנְיָן) or “occupation; task” (BDB 775 s.v. עִנְיָן). The term is used in a specific sense in reference to business activity (Eccl 8:16), as well as in a more general sense in reference to events that occur on earth (Eccl 1:13; 4:8). BDB suggests that the phrase עִנְיַן רָע (’inyan ra’) in 5:13 refers to a bad business deal (BDB 775 s.v. עִנְיָן); however, HALOT suggests that it means “bad luck” (HALOT 857 s.v. עִנְיָן). The English versions reflect the same two approaches: (1) bad luck: “some misfortune” (NAB, NIV) and (2) a bad business deal: “a bad investment” (NASB), “a bad venture” (RSV, NRSV, MLB), “some unlucky venture” (Moffatt, NJPS), “an unlucky venture” (NEB), “an evil adventure” (ASV).
2 tn Heb “there is nothing in his hand.”
3 tn Heb “all his days.” The phrase “of his life” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
4 tn Heb “he lacks his heart.”
5 tn Heb “he tells everyone.”
6 sn A fool’s lack of wisdom is obvious to everyone, even when he is engaged in the simple, ordinary actions of life.
7 sn This proverb criticizes those who are overly cautious. The farmer who waits for the most opportune moment to plant when there is no wind to blow away the seed, and to reap when there is no rain to ruin a ripe harvest, will never do anything but sit around waiting for the right moment.
