Ecclesiastes 2:22

Ecclesiastes 2:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
• New International Version (NIV)What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?
• English Standard Version (ESV)What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun?
• New King James Version (NKJV)For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun?

Context of Ecclesiastes 2:22

20So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth. 21For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice! What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? 23For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile! 24There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

Ecclesiastes 2:22 word by word

כִּ֠י מֶֽה־הֹוֶ֤ה לָֽאָדָם֙ בְּכָל־עֲמָל֔וֹ וּבְרַעְי֖וֹן לִבּ֑וֹ שֶׁה֥וּא עָמֵ֖ל תַּ֥חַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For what hathהָוָהhâvâ' hâvâh · to beH1933
• manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• of all his labourעָמָל‛âmâl · troubleH5999
• and of the vexationרַעְיוֹןra‛yôn · strivingH7475
• of his heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• whereinהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931
• he hath labouredעָמֵל‛âmêl · laboriousH6001
• under the sunשֶׁ֫מֶשׁshemesh · sunH8121

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 2:22

• Ecclesiastes 1:3What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth?
• Ecclesiastes 3:9What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?
• Ecclesiastes 5:10The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.
• Ecclesiastes 6:7All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach – yet his appetite is never satisfied!
• Ecclesiastes 8:15So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.
• Proverbs 16:26A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.
• 1 Timothy 6:8But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.
• Ecclesiastes 4:6Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.
• Psalms 127:2It is vain for you to rise early, come home late, and work so hard for your food. Yes, he can provide for those whom he loves even when they sleep.
• Matthew 6:11Give us today our daily bread,
• Matthew 16:26For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?
• Luke 12:22Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
• Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
• 1 Peter 5:7by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22For what hath man of all his laborer - Labour of body, disappointment of hope, and vexation of heart, have been all my portion.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-26Verses 18-26 Our hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. See what fools they are, who make themselves drudges to the world, which affords a man nothing better than subsistence for the body. And the utmost he can attain in this respect is to allow himself a sober, cheerful use thereof, according to his rank and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-23The Teacher now examines the value of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17) and hard work (2:18–23). These, too, are futile (Ecclesiastes 2:17).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2222. Same sentiment as in Ec 2:21, interrogatively.Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 2:22

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Industry
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Gather
• Laughter
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings