40 Or “through a bad business deal.” The basic meaning of עִנְיַן (’inyan) is “business; affair” ( עִנְיָן) or “occupation; task” ( 775 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). suggests that the phrase עִנְיַן רָע (’inyan ra’) in 5:13 refers to a bad business deal ( 775 עִנְיָן); however, suggests that it means “bad luck” ( עִנְיָן). The English versions reflect the same two approaches: (1) bad luck: “some misfortune” (, ) and (2) a bad business deal: “a bad investment” (), “a bad venture” (, , ), “some unlucky venture” (, ), “an unlucky venture” (), “an evil adventure” ().
41 Heb “there is nothing in his hand.”

In other versions

and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.

or wealth lost through some misfortune,

so that when they have children

there is nothing left for them to inherit.

That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son, he was empty-handed.

Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.

That wealth was lost in a bad venture. Although he has borne a child, he has nothing to leave to him.

But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

Public Domain