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 turned my heart over to despair over all the things for which I had toiled under the sun. 21For sometimes a man, who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, must hand over as an inheritance to someone who did not work for it. This also is futile and a great misfortune. For what does a man get for all his toil and longing of his heart for which he labors under the sun? 23For all his days, his work is pain and grief. Even at night his mind does not rest. This also is futility. 24There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their labor. This too, I perceived, is from the hand of 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 does a person gain in all his labor that he toils under the sun?
• Ecclesiastes 3:9What gain, then, does the laborer get with his toil?
• Ecclesiastes 5:10When goods increase, so do those who consume them. So what advantage are they to the owner except he sees it with his eyes?
• Ecclesiastes 6:7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.
• Ecclesiastes 8:15So I recommend enjoyment, because there is nothing better for humanity under the sun except to eat, drink and enjoy it. So this joy will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.
• Proverbs 16:26A laborer’s appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger drives him on.
• 1 Timothy 6:8But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content.
• Ecclesiastes 4:6Better is a handful with tranquility than two handfuls of toil and striving after the wind.
• Psalms 127:2In vain you rise up early and stay up late, eating the bread of toil— for He provides for His beloved ones even in their sleep.
• Matthew 6:11Give us this day our daily bread.
• Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
• Luke 12:22Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “So I say to you, do not worry about life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will wear.
• Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything—but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
• 1 Peter 5:7Cast all your worries on Him, for 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