Discovery BoxEcclesiastes 5:19 
Context5:19 To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions,
he has also given him the ability 1
to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil;
these things 2 are the gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 8:8
Context8:8 Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, 3
so no one has power over the day of his 4 death.
Just as no one can be discharged during the battle, 5
so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked. 6
1 tn The syntax of this verse is difficult. The best approach is to view הִשְׁלִיטוֹ (hishlito, “he has given him the ability”) as governing the three following infinitives: לֶאֱכֹל (le’ekhol, “to eat”), וְלָשֵׂאת (vÿlase’t, “and to lift” = “to accept [or receive]”), and וְלִשְׂמֹחַ (vÿlismoakh, “and to rejoice”). This statement parallels 2:24-26 which states that no one can find enjoyment in life unless God gives him the ability to do so.
2 tn Heb “this.” The feminine singular demonstrative pronoun זֹה (zoh, “this”) refers back to all that preceded it in the verse (e.g., GKC 440-41 §135.p), that is, the ability to enjoy the fruit of one’s labor is the gift of God (e.g., Eccl 2:24-26). The phrase “these things” is used in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Heb “There is not a man who has mastery over the wind to restrain the wind.”
4 tn The word “his” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Heb “There is no discharge in war.”
6 tn Heb “its owners.”
