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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 3:9 What does the worker gain from his toil?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/21_Ecc_03_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 3:9 - God's Works Remain Forever" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What does the worker gain from his toil?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:8">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 3:9 <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />What do workers gain from their toil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />What do people really get for all their hard work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What gain has the worker from his toil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What does the worker gain from his toil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What benefit <i>is there for</i> the worker <i>from that</i> in which he labors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />What advantage is there to the worker from that in which he labors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />What profit is there for the worker from that in which he labors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What does the worker gain from his struggles?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What does the worker gain from his struggles?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />What do we gain by all our hard work? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />What do working people gain from their hard labor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What do we gain from all our work? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What benefit does the worker gain from what he undertakes? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What does the worker gain from his toil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What benefit can a worker gain from his toil? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />What profit hath he that worketh in that in which he laboreth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What advantage does the doer have in that which he is laboring at?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring at?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What the excellence of him working in what he labored?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />What hath man more of his labour? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />What more does a man have from his labor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What profit have workers from their toil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What gain have the workers from their toil?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />What profit has the worker in his labor?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />What profit has a son man in the work that he labors under the sun?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What advantage <i>has</i> he that works in those things wherein he labours?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=517" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/3.htm">God's Works Remain Forever</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: hā·‘ō·w·śeh (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">does the worker</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ba·’ă·šer (Prep-b:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3504.htm" title="3504: yiṯ·rō·wn (N-msc) -- Advantage, profit. From yathar; preeminence, gain.">gain</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">from his</a> <a href="/hebrew/6001.htm" title="6001: ‘ā·mêl (N-ms) -- Toiling, a laborer, sorrowful. From amal; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful.">toil?</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>I have seen the burden that God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a></span><br />And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. / By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></span><br />The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/5-29.htm">Genesis 5:29</a></span><br />And he named him Noah, saying, “May this one comfort us in the labor and toil of our hands caused by the ground that the LORD has cursed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-1.htm">Job 7:1-2</a></span><br />“Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand? / Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10-12</a></span><br />For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1-2</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. / In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Proverbs 14:23</a></span><br />There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-8.htm">1 Corinthians 3:8-9</a></span><br />He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. / For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-23.htm">Colossians 3:23-24</a></span><br />Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/5-6.htm">Job 5:6-7</a></span><br />For distress does not spring from the dust, and trouble does not sprout from the ground. / Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-15.htm">Luke 12:15-21</a></span><br />And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">What profit has he that works in that wherein he labors?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3</a></b></br> What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11,22,23</a></b></br> Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all <i>was</i> vanity and vexation of spirit, and <i>there was</i> no profit under the sun… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:16</a></b></br> And this also <i>is</i> a sore evil, <i>that</i> in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-13.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-4.htm">Doer</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-33.htm">Labors</a> <a href="/colossians/4-12.htm">Labouring</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Toils</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Work</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm">Worker</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-13.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Advantage</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-2.htm">Doer</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-10.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Labors</a> <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Labouring</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-9.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Toils</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-18.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-14.htm">Worker</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-12.htm">Worketh</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">is an excellence in God's works</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-16.htm">as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What does the worker gain from his toil?</b><br>This rhetorical question reflects the theme of futility and the search for meaning in human endeavors. The Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon, questions the ultimate benefit of labor and effort under the sun. This echoes the broader message of Ecclesiastes, which often highlights the transient nature of earthly pursuits.<p><b>What does the worker gain</b><br>The term "gain" here refers to profit or advantage. In the context of ancient Israel, labor was primarily agricultural or related to craftsmanship. The question challenges the reader to consider the lasting value of their work. This theme is consistent with other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, which often contrasts the temporary rewards of earthly labor with the eternal rewards of righteousness and wisdom.<p><b>from his toil?</b><br>"Toil" suggests hard labor and effort, often with a sense of weariness. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, work was a necessary part of life, but it was also seen as a result of the Fall (<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a>). This reflects the broader biblical narrative that human labor, while necessary, is ultimately subject to the curse of sin. The question invites reflection on the eternal perspective, as seen in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to work for treasures in heaven (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>) and to do everything for the glory of God (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-31.htm">1 Corinthians 10:31</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and writings. Ecclesiastes is part of the wisdom literature attributed to him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation where Solomon reigned as king. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of labor and purpose in Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_worker.htm">The Worker</a></b><br>- Represents humanity in general, engaging in daily labor and seeking meaning and fulfillment through work.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/toil.htm">Toil</a></b><br>- Refers to the labor and effort expended by individuals in their daily lives, a central theme in Ecclesiastes as it explores the purpose and value of human endeavors.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_preacher.htm">The Preacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>- The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who reflects on the meaning of life and the human condition.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_toil.htm">The Futility of Earthly Toil</a></b><br><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9</a> questions the ultimate gain from human labor, highlighting the temporary and often unsatisfying nature of earthly pursuits. This invites reflection on where we seek fulfillment and purpose.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective_on_work.htm">Eternal Perspective on Work</a></b><br>While earthly toil can seem futile, believers are encouraged to view their work through an eternal lens, understanding that true reward and purpose come from serving God and aligning with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_provision.htm">Contentment in God's Provision</a></b><br>Recognizing that ultimate satisfaction comes from God, not from the accumulation of wealth or achievements, encourages contentment and trust in His provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purpose_beyond_the_present.htm">Purpose Beyond the Present</a></b><br>The passage challenges us to consider how our work contributes to God's kingdom and how we can use our talents and efforts for His glory, rather than solely for personal gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balance_between_work_and_rest.htm">Balance Between Work and Rest</a></b><br>Reflecting on the balance between labor and rest, as God designed, can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life that honors Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/order_of_jesus'_disciples'_calling.htm">What does 'travail' mean in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_faithful_givers_stay_poor.htm">Proverbs 3:9 commands honoring God with wealth--why do many faithful givers remain poor while the corrupt often thrive?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_4_7-8_oppose_stewardship.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 emphasizes the vanity in labor for one without an heir--does this conflict with the Bible's call to stewardship and fruitful living?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/nain's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What does 'Two are better than one' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - If thus man, in all his actions and under all circumstances, depends upon time and seasons which are beyond his control, we return to the same desponding question already asked in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:3</a>. <span class="cmt_word">What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?</span> The preceding enumeration leads up to this question, to which the answer is "None." Since time and tide wait for no man, since man cannot know for certain his opportunity, he cannot reckon on reaping any advantage from his labor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does the worker</span><br /><span class="heb">הָֽעוֹשֶׂ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ō·w·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gain</span><br /><span class="heb">יִּתְרוֹן֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3504.htm">Strong's 3504: </a> </span><span class="str2">Preeminence, gain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from his</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֥וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">toil?</span><br /><span class="heb">עָמֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·mêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6001.htm">Strong's 6001: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toiling, a laborer, sorrowful</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-9.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:9 What profit has he who works (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 3:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 3:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>