1 I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- in mine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- Go to now H3212 (יָלַךְ) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
- I will prove H5254 (נָסָה) — to test; by implication, to attempt
- thee with mirth H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
- therefore enjoy H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- pleasure H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
2 I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- of laughter H7814 (שְׂחוֹק) — laughter (in merriment or defiance)
- mad H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
- and of mirth H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
- What H2090 (זֹה) — this or that
- doeth H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
3 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I sought H8446 (תּוּר) — to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitring
- in mine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- to give H4900 (מָשַׁךְ) — to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)
- myself H1320 (בָּשָׂר) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
- unto wine H3196 (יַיִן) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
- yet acquainting H5090 (נָהַג) — to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by…
- mine heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- with wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- and to lay hold H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
- on folly H5531 (סִכְלוּת) — silliness
- till I might see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- that good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- for the sons H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of men H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- which they should do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- under the heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
- all H4557 (מִסְפָּר) — a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
- the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of their life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I made me great H1431 (גָּדַל) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
- works H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- I builded H1129 (בָּנָה) — to build (literally and figuratively)
- me houses H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- I planted H5193 (נָטַע) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
- me vineyards H3754 (כֶּרֶם) — a garden or vineyard
5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me gardens H1593 (גַּנָּה) — a garden
- and orchards H6508 (פַּרְדֵּס) — a park
- and I planted H5193 (נָטַע) — properly, to strike in, i.e. fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)
- trees H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
- fruits H6529 (פְּרִי) — fruit (literally or figuratively)
6 I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I made H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me pools H1295 (בְּרֵכָה) — a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)
- of water H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
- to water H8248 (שָׁקָה) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
- therewith the wood H3293 (יַעַר) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees)
- that bringeth forth H6779 (צָמַח) — to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
- trees H6086 (עֵץ) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
7 I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I got H7069 (קָנָה) — to erect, i.e. create; by extension, to procure, especially by purchase (causatively, sell); by implication to own
- servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- and maidens H8198 (שִׁפְחָה) — a female slave (as a member of the household)
- and had servants born H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- in my house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- also I had great H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
- possessions H4735 (מִקְנֶה) — something bought, i.e. property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
- of great H1241 (בָּקָר) — a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
- and small cattle H6629 (צֹאן) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
- above all that were in Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I gathered H3664 (כָּנַס) — to collect; hence, to enfold
- me also silver H3701 (כֶּסֶף) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
- and gold H2091 (זָהָב) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
- and the peculiar treasure H5459 (סְגֻלָּה) — wealth (as closely shut up)
- of kings H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- and of the provinces H4082 (מְדִינָה) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
- I gat H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- me men singers H7891 (שִׁיר) — to sing
- and women singers H7891 (שִׁיר) — to sing
- and the delights H8588 (תַּעֲנוּג) — luxury
- of the sons H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of men H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- musical instruments H7705 (שִׁדָּה) — a wife (as mistress of the house)
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- So I was great H1431 (גָּדַל) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
- and increased H3254 (יָסַף) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
- more than all that were before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- me in Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
- also my wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- remained H5975 (עָמַד) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And whatsoever mine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- desired H7592 (שָׁאַל) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
- I kept H680 (אָצַל) — properly, to join; used only as a denominative from 681; to separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract
- not from them, I withheld H4513 (מָנַע) — to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury
- not my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- from any joy H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
- for my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- rejoiced H8056 (שָׂמֵחַ) — blithe or gleeful
- in all my labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- and this was my portion H2506 (חֵלֶק) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
- of all my labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then I looked H6437 (פָּנָה) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.
- on all the works H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- that my hands H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- had wrought H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- and on the labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- that I had laboured H5998 (עָמַל) — to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
- to do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
- no profit H3504 (יִתְרוֹן) — preeminence, gain
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And I turned H6437 (פָּנָה) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.
- myself to behold H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- and madness H1947 (הוֹלֵלָה) — folly
- and folly H5531 (סִכְלוּת) — silliness
- the man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- that cometh H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- the king H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- that which hath been already H3528 (כְּבָר) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto
- done H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then I saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- that H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- excelleth H3504 (יִתְרוֹן) — preeminence, gain
- folly H5531 (סִכְלוּת) — silliness
- as far as light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
- darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The wise man’s H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- in his head H7218 (רֹאשׁ) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
- but the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- walketh H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
- in darkness H2822 (חֹשֶׁךְ) — the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
- and I myself perceived H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- also that one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- event H4745 (מִקְרֶה) — something met with, i.e. an accident or fortune
- happeneth H7136 (קָרָה) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Then H227 (אָז) — at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
- said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- I in my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- As it happeneth H4745 (מִקְרֶה) — something met with, i.e. an accident or fortune
- to the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- so it happeneth H7136 (קָרָה) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
- even to me H1571 (גַּם) — properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
- and why was I then more H3148 (יוֹתֵר) — properly, redundant; hence, over and above, as adjective, noun, adverb or conjunction
- wise H2449 (חָכַם) — to be wise (in mind, word or act)
- Then I said H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- in my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool!Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- no remembrance H2146 (זִכְרוֹן) — a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
- of the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- more than H5973 (עִם) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually un…
- of the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- for ever H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
- seeing that which now H3528 (כְּבָר) — properly, extent of time, i.e. a great while; hence, long ago, formerly, hitherto
- in the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- to come H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- shall all be forgotten H7911 (שָׁכַח) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
- And how dieth H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
- the wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- as the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
17 So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Therefore I hated H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
- life H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- because the work H4639 (מַעֲשֶׂה) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
- that is wrought H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- grievous H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…
18 And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Yea, I hated H8130 (שָׂנֵא) — to hate (personally)
- all my labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- which I had taken H6001 (עָמֵל) — toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- because I should leave H3240 (יָנַח) — to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
- it unto the man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- that shall be after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
19 And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And who knoweth H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
- whether he shall be a wise H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- or a fool H5530 (סָכָל) — silly
- yet shall he have rule H7980 (שָׁלַט) — to dominate, i.e. govern; by implication, to permit
- over all my labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- wherein I have laboured H5998 (עָמַל) — to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
- and wherein I have shewed myself wise H2449 (חָכַם) — to be wise (in mind, word or act)
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
- also vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Therefore I went about H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
- to cause H2976 (יָאַשׁ) — to desist, i.e. (figuratively) to despond
- my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- to despair H2976 (יָאַשׁ) — to desist, i.e. (figuratively) to despond
- of all the labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- which I took H5998 (עָמַל) — to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For there is H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
- a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- whose labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- in wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- and in knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- and in equity H3788 (כִּשְׁרוֹן) — success, advantage
- yet to a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- that hath not laboured H5998 (עָמַל) — to toil, i.e. work severely and with irksomeness
- therein shall he leave H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- his portion H2506 (חֵלֶק) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and a great H7227 (רַב) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
- evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
22 For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For what hath H1933 (הָוָא) — to be (in the sense of existence)
- man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- of all his labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- and of the vexation H7475 (רַעְיוֹן) — desire
- of his heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- wherein H1931 (הוּא) — he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative)…
- he hath laboured H6001 (עָמֵל) — toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful
- under the sun H8121 (שֶׁמֶשׁ) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement
23 For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For all his days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- sorrows H4341 (מַכְאֹב) — anguish or (figuratively) affliction
- and his travail H6045 (עִנְיָן) — ado, i.e. (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
- grief H3708 (כַּעַס) — vexation
- yea, his heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- taketh not rest H7901 (שָׁכַב) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
- in the night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
- This is also vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- nothing better H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- for a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- that he should eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- and drink H8354 (שָׁתָה) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
- he should make his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- enjoy H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- in his labour H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
- This H2090 (זֹה) — this or that
- also I saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- from the hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- of God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For who can eat H398 (אָכַל) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
- or who else can hasten H2363 (חוּשׁ) — to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment
- more H2351 (חוּץ) — properly, separate by a wall, i.e. outside, outdoors
26 For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- giveth H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- to a man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
- in his sight H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- wisdom H2451 (חׇכְמָה) — wisdom (in a good sense)
- and knowledge H1847 (דַּעַת) — knowledge
- and joy H8057 (שִׂמְחָה) — blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
- but to the sinner H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
- he giveth H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- travail H6045 (עִנְיָן) — ado, i.e. (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
- to gather H622 (אָסַף) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
- and to heap up H3664 (כָּנַס) — to collect; hence, to enfold
- that he may give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- vanity H1892 (הֶבֶל) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
- and vexation H7469 (רְעוּת) — a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after
- of spirit H7307 (רוּחַ) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by re…