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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 2:19 And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/21_Ecc_02_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 2:19 - The Futility of Work" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? 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Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. <a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is futility. <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. <a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. <a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a man of simpleminded folly? Yet he will have power over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored and for which I have acted wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. <a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit). <a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. <a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. <a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Who knows if those people will be sensible or stupid? Either way, they will own everything I have earned by hard work and wisdom. It doesn't make sense. <a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? He will still have control over everything under the sun for which I worked so hard and used my wisdom. Even this is pointless. <a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> and he might be wise, or he might be foolish--who knows? Yet he will own everything I have worked for, everything my wisdom has earned for me in this world. It is all useless. <a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> And who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Either way, he will take possession of everything that I have done on earth, especially where I have excelled. This also is pointless. <a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. <a href="/net/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile! <a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. <a href="/web/ecclesiastes/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And who knows whether he is wise or foolish? Yet he rules over all my labor that I have labored at, and that I have done wisely under the sun! This [is] also vanity. <a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And who knoweth whether he is wise or foolish? yet he doth rule over all my labour that I have laboured at, and that I have done wisely under the sun! this also is vanity. <a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And who shall know whether he shall be wise or foolish? And he shall have dominion over all my labor which I labored, and was wise under the sun. Also this is vanity.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Whom I know not whether he will be a wise man or a fool, and he shall have rule over all my labours with which I have laboured and been solicitous: and is there any thing so vain? <a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> though I know not whether he will be wise or foolish. And yet he will have power over my labors, in which I have toiled and been anxious. And is there anything else so empty? <a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Bible</a> And who knows whether that one will be wise or a fool? Yet that one will take control of all the fruits of my toil and wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> —and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And who will know if he shall be wise or a fool, and he will be authorized over all my labors that I wrought and when I was made wise under the sun, and this also is futility<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. <a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? and whether he will have power over all my labour in which I laboured, and wherein I grew wise under the sun? this is also vanity. <a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=359" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">The Futility of Work</a> 18I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. 19<a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: ū·mî (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">And who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yō·w·ḏê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">knows</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">whether that man will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/2450.htm" title="2450: he·ḥā·ḵām (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Wise. From chakam; wise.">wise</a> <a href="/hebrew/176.htm" title="176: ’ōw (Conj) -- Or. Presumed to be the constructive or genitival form of -av; short for 'avvah; desire; hence or, also if.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/5530.htm" title="5530: sā·ḵāl (N-ms) -- A fool. From cakal; silly.">foolish?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7980.htm" title="7980: wə·yiš·laṭ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- To domineer, be master of. A primitive root; to dominate, i.e. Govern; by implication, to permit.">Yet he will take</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">over all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5999.htm" title="5999: ‘ă·mā·lî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Trouble, labor, toil. From amal; toil, i.e. Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. Of body or mind.">the labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/5998.htm" title="5998: še·‘ā·mal·tî (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To labor, toil. A primitive root; to toil, i.e. Work severely and with irksomeness.">at which I have worked</a> <a href="/hebrew/2449.htm" title="2449: wə·še·ḥā·ḵam·tî (Conj-w, Pr:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To be wise. A primitive root, to be wise.">skillfully</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·šā·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun.</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">This</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">too</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: hā·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">is futile.</a> 20So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/13-22.htm">Proverbs 13:22</a> A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a> Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10</a> For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. <a href="/job/27-16.htm">Job 27:16-17</a> Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay, / what he lays up, the righteous will wear, and his silver will be divided by the innocent. <a href="/1_kings/11-11.htm">1 Kings 11:11-12</a> Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. <a href="/1_kings/14-7.htm">1 Kings 14:7-10</a> Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel. / I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you. But you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and followed Me with all his heart, doing only what was right in My eyes. / You have done more evil than all who came before you. You have proceeded to make for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me, and you have flung Me behind your back. ... <a href="/1_samuel/8-11.htm">1 Samuel 8:11-18</a> He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots. / He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. / And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. ... <a href="/jeremiah/17-11.htm">Jeremiah 17:11</a> Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” <a href="/isaiah/65-22.htm">Isaiah 65:22</a> No longer will they build houses for others to inhabit, nor plant for others to eat. For as is the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands. <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Genesis 31:1</a> Now Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.” <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> 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. <a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a> But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” <a href="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7-10</a> For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. / But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. / Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. ... <a href="/james/4-13.htm">James 4:13-14</a> Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a> For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.who knoweth<a href="/ecclesiastes/3-22.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:22</a> Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?<a href="/1_kings/12-14.htm">1 Kings 12:14</a> And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.<a href="/1_kings/14-25.htm">1 Kings 14:25-28</a> And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: … wise under<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:13</a> This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:<a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Luke 16:8</a> And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.<a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a> Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-11.htm">Control</a> <a href="/numbers/13-20.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Laboured</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">Master</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-20.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-4.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Shewed</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Shown</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Toiled</a> <a href="/psalms/102-8.htm">Used</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-13.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-26.htm">Wisely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/3-12.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-8.htm">Control</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-3.htm">Effort</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-5.htm">Fool</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Laboured</a> <a href="/songs/7-1.htm">Master</a> <a href="/songs/1-3.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-4.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-10.htm">Shewed</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-2.htm">Showed</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-2.htm">Shown</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Sun</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Toiled</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-10.htm">Used</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Wise</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-8.htm">Wisely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 2</div>1. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure</a> 12. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event</a> 18. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom</a> 24. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/2.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/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? This phrase reflects the uncertainty of the future and the unpredictability of human nature. In the biblical context, Solomon, traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, was known for his wisdom, yet he acknowledges that he cannot control the actions of those who come after him. This echoes the biblical theme of human limitation and the unpredictability of life, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/27.htm">Proverbs 27:1</a>, which advises not to boast about tomorrow. The question also highlights the transient nature of human achievements and the potential folly of placing trust in earthly legacies.Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This part of the verse underscores the inevitability of succession and the transfer of one's life work to another. The phrase "under the sun" is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the earthly, temporal perspective of human endeavors. Historically, the transfer of power and wealth was a significant concern in ancient monarchies, where the competence of heirs could not be guaranteed. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of stewardship and the temporary nature of earthly possessions, as seen in the parable of the talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>), where servants are entrusted with their master's wealth.This too is futile. The conclusion of the verse captures the central theme of Ecclesiastes: the vanity or futility of human efforts when viewed from a purely earthly perspective. The Hebrew word often translated as "futile" or "vanity" is "hevel," which can also mean "breath" or "vapor," suggesting something fleeting and insubstantial. This aligns with the biblical teaching that true meaning and fulfillment are found not in earthly achievements but in a relationship with God, as emphasized in the New Testament (<a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-8</a>). The futility expressed here points to the need for divine wisdom and eternal perspective, foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life and purpose beyond the temporal world.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects. He reflects on the futility of human endeavors. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_successor.htm">The Successor</a> The person who will inherit the fruits of Solomon's labor. The identity and character of this successor are unknown, highlighting the uncertainty of legacy. 3. <a href="/topical/u/under_the_sun.htm">Under the Sun</a> A phrase used throughout Ecclesiastes to describe life on earth from a human perspective, emphasizing the temporal and often futile nature of worldly pursuits.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_uncertainty_of_legacy.htm">The Uncertainty of Legacy</a> We cannot control who will inherit our work or how they will use it. This uncertainty should lead us to focus on what is eternal rather than solely on earthly achievements. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Earthly Pursuits</a> Solomon's reflection on the futility of his labor underlines the importance of seeking meaning beyond material success and human accomplishments. <a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_stewardship.htm">Wisdom in Stewardship</a> While we cannot ensure the wisdom of our successors, we can be wise stewards of our resources, investing in things that have eternal significance. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Recognizing our limitations should lead us to trust in God's sovereignty over our lives and legacies, knowing that He works all things for His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 2</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'everything_is_meaningless'_mean.htm">What does 'Everything is Meaningless' signify?</a> <a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_4_contradict_itself.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 promotes partnership, yet 4:13-16 points to the fleeting nature of leadership--does this suggest a contradiction in views on societal structure?</a> <a href="/q/is_wisdom_futile_in_ecclesiastes_2_15-16.htm">Does Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 contradict Proverbs' exaltation of wisdom by calling wisdom ultimately futile?</a> <a href="/q/is_gambling_considered_sinful.htm">Is gambling considered sinful?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) Have rule.--The word occurs again in <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-2.htm" title="A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.">Ecclesiastes 6:2</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-9.htm" title="All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man rules over another to his own hurt.">Ecclesiastes 8:9</a>; elsewhere only in Nehemiah and Esther. and in <a href="/psalms/119-133.htm" title="Order my steps in your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.">Psalm 119:133</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 19. - Who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? The bitter feeling that he has to leave the fruits of his lifelong labor to another is aggravated by the thought that he knows not the character of this successor, whether he will be worthy or not. As the psalmist says, "He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them" (<a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6</a>). Again in the parable, "The things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?" (<a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20</a>; comp. Ecclus. 11:18, 19). Yet shall he have rule, etc. Whatever may be his character, he will have free use and control of all that I have gathered by my labor directed by prudence and wisdom. Vulgate, Domina-bitur in laboribus meis quibus desudavi et sollicitus fui. <a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And who וּמִ֣י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix knows יוֹדֵ֗עַ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know whether he will be יִהְיֶה֙ (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a wise הֶֽחָכָ֤ם (he·ḥā·ḵām) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2450.htm">Strong's 2450: </a> Wise man or א֣וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_176.htm">Strong's 176: </a> Desire, if a fool? סָכָ֔ל (sā·ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5530.htm">Strong's 5530: </a> A fool Yet he will take וְיִשְׁלַט֙ (wə·yiš·laṭ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7980.htm">Strong's 7980: </a> To dominate, govern, to permit over all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every the labor עֲמָלִ֔י (‘ă·mā·lî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5999.htm">Strong's 5999: </a> Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind at which I have worked שֶֽׁעָמַ֥לְתִּי (še·‘ā·mal·tî) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5998.htm">Strong's 5998: </a> To toil, work severely and with irksomeness skillfully וְשֶׁחָכַ֖מְתִּי (wə·še·ḥā·ḵam·tî) Conjunctive waw, Pr | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2449.htm">Strong's 2449: </a> To be wise under תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of the sun. הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ (haš·šā·meš) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement This זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that too גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and is futile. הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:19 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:19 Who knows whether he will be (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:20" /></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>