CINXE.COM

<!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 2:23 Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/21_Ecc_02_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 2:23 - The Futility of Work" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" 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/2-22.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:22">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 2:23 <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 2:24">►</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/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For all his days <i>are</i> sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For all his days <i>are</i> sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Because all his days his activity is painful and irritating; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is futility.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Because all his days his endeavor is painful and vexing; even at night his heart does not lie down. This too is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For all his days his work is painful and sorrowful; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity (worthless).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our bodies ache during the day, and work is torture. Then at night our thoughts are troubled. It just doesn't make sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Their entire life is filled with pain, and their work is unbearable. Even at night their minds don't rest. Even this is pointless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />As long as you live, everything you do brings nothing but worry and heartache. Even at night your mind can't rest. It is all useless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, all of his days are filled with sorrow, and his struggles bring grief. In fact, his mind remains restless throughout the night. This is pointless, too!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For all his days are sorrows, and his labor grief; yes, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart has not lain down; this [is] also vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath not lain down; this also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For all his days pains, and vexation, his labor; also in the night his heart rested not Also this it is vanity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />All his days axe full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />All his days have been filled with sorrows and hardships; neither does he rest his mind, even in the night. And is this not emptiness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Every day sorrow and grief are their occupation; even at night their hearts are not at rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For all his days are full of sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For all his days are sorrow and his work is grief, also his heart at night does not lie down, and this also is futility<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For all his days <i>are days</i> of sorrows, and vexation of spirit is his; in the night also his heart rests not. This is also vanity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/2-23.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=399" 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/2.htm">The Futility of Work</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Indeed,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">his days</a> <a href="/hebrew/4341.htm" title="4341: maḵ·’ō·ḇîm (N-mp) -- Pain. Sometimes makcowb; also makfobah; from ka'ab; anguish or affliction.">are filled with grief,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6045.htm" title="6045: ‘in·yā·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Occupation, task. From anah; ado, i.e. employment or an affair.">and his task</a> <a href="/hebrew/3708.htm" title="3708: wā·ḵa·‘as (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Vexation, anger. Or kaoas; from ka'ac; vexation.">is sorrowful;</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">even</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: bal·lay·lāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">at night,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">his mind</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">does not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7901.htm" title="7901: šā·ḵaḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To lie down. A primitive root; to lie down.">rest.</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: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">is futile.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.…<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="/job/5-7.htm">Job 5:7</a></span><br />Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.<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="/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="/matthew/6-34.htm">Matthew 6:34</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a></span><br />You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1</a></span><br />“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">2 Corinthians 4:16-18</a></span><br />Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Psalm 127:2</a></span><br />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="/isaiah/65-22.htm">Isaiah 65:22-23</a></span><br />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. / They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24</a></span><br />What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-16.htm">Psalm 73:16-17</a></span><br />When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight / until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-14.htm">Philippians 2:14-16</a></span><br />Do everything without complaining or arguing, / so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world / as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-1.htm">Job 7:1-3</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. / So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed to me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yes, his heart takes not rest in the night. This is also vanity.</p><p class="hdg">all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/47-9.htm">Genesis 47:9</a></b></br> And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage <i>are</i> an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-7.htm">Job 5:7</a></b></br> Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1</a></b></br> Man <i>that is</i> born of a woman <i>is</i> of few days, and full of trouble.</p><p class="hdg">his heart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:12</a></b></br> The sleep of a labouring man <i>is</i> sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/6-1.htm">Esther 6:1</a></b></br> On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-13.htm">Job 7:13,14</a></b></br> When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-18.htm">Night</a> <a href="/genesis/47-3.htm">Occupation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/psalms/127-2.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/psalms/116-3.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-17.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-18.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/psalms/142-2.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Task</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Vexation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-16.htm">Night</a> <a href="/jonah/1-8.htm">Occupation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Painful</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-1.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-17.htm">Sadness</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Sorrow</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Sorrows</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Task</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Travail</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm">Vexation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm">the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm">Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift</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/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><b>Indeed, all his days are filled with grief</b><br>This phrase reflects the human condition under the sun, emphasizing the futility and frustration of life without God. The word "grief" here can be understood as a deep-seated sorrow or trouble that permeates daily existence. This echoes the curse of toil and labor given to Adam in <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a>, where work becomes burdensome due to sin. The Preacher, traditionally understood as Solomon, speaks from experience, having pursued wisdom, pleasure, and wealth, yet finding them ultimately unsatisfying. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that true fulfillment is found only in God.<p><b>and his task is sorrowful</b><br>The term "task" refers to the labor and responsibilities that occupy a person's life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, work was often physically demanding and relentless, with little respite. The sorrow associated with work can be seen as a consequence of the fall, where labor is no longer purely joyful but is marred by hardship and pain. This sorrowful task is a reminder of the limitations of human efforts and the need for divine intervention. The New Testament offers a contrast in <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a>, where Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him, highlighting the difference between burdensome labor and the rest found in Christ.<p><b>even at night, his mind does not rest</b><br>This phrase captures the anxiety and restlessness that accompany a life focused on earthly pursuits. The inability to find peace even at night suggests a deep-seated unrest that plagues the soul. In biblical times, night was a time for rest and rejuvenation, yet the Preacher notes that even this is elusive. This restlessness can be compared to the peace promised by God in <a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Psalm 4:8</a>, where trust in the Lord allows for peaceful sleep. The contrast between the restless mind and the peace of God underscores the futility of seeking satisfaction apart from Him.<p><b>This too is futile</b><br>The conclusion of this verse reiterates the theme of vanity that runs throughout Ecclesiastes. The word "futile" or "vanity" (Hebrew: "hevel") suggests something transient, elusive, and ultimately meaningless when pursued apart from God. This futility is a central theme in Ecclesiastes, pointing to the limitations of human wisdom and achievement. The Preacher's exploration of life's meaning leads to the understanding that without a relationship with God, all human endeavors are ultimately empty. This realization is a call to seek eternal significance through faith in God, as seen in the New Testament's emphasis on storing treasures in heaven (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</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 extensive building projects. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time provides a backdrop for understanding the themes of labor and futility.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/labor_and_toil.htm">Labor and Toil</a></b><br>The central theme of this verse, representing the human endeavor and the burdens associated with work and life's pursuits.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_burden_of_labor.htm">The Burden of Labor</a></b><br>Human work, while necessary, often leads to grief and pain. This reflects the fallen state of the world and the curse of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_restlessness_of_the_mind.htm">The Restlessness of the Mind</a></b><br>Even when physical work ceases, the mind can remain restless. This highlights the need for spiritual rest and peace that only God can provide.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Earthly Pursuits</a></b><br>Without a divine perspective, earthly achievements and labor can seem meaningless. True purpose is found in aligning our work with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_promise_of_rest_in_christ.htm">The Promise of Rest in Christ</a></b><br>Jesus offers a solution to the futility and restlessness described in Ecclesiastes. By coming to Him, we find rest for our souls.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective_on_work.htm">Eternal Perspective on Work</a></b><br>Viewing our labor through the lens of eternity can transform our understanding of its value and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_show_your_knowledge_well.htm">What does the Bible say about work-life balance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'hard_service'_in_job_7_1_accurate.htm">In Job 7:1, is the description of life as “hard service” historically or culturally accurate for Job’s time, or is it an anachronism? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_paul_avoid_a_painful_visit.htm">In 2 Corinthians 2:1, how can Paul justify avoiding another painful visit if decisive church discipline was necessary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/should_christians_use_public_schools.htm">When is it time to break down or build up?</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>(23) The fact that the wise man must surrender his acquisitions exhibits the inutility of the painful toil by which he has gained them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All his days are sorrow, and his travail grief</span> (comp. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:16, 17</a>). These are the real results of his lifelong efforts. All his days are pains and sorrows, bring trouble with them, and all his labor ends in grief. "Sorrows" and "grief" are pretreated respectively of "days" and "travail." Abstract nouns are often so used. Thus <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a>, "The words of a wise man's mouth are grace." The free-thinkers in Wisd. 2:1 complain that life is short and tedious (<span class="greek">λυπηρὸς</span>). <span class="cmt_word">Yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night.</span> He cannot sleep for thinking over his plans and hopes and disappointments. Not for him is the sweet sleep of the laboring man, who does his day's work, earns his repose, and frets not about the future. On the one hand care, on the ether satiety, murder sleep, and make the night torment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/2-23.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">Indeed,</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָל־</span> <span class="translit">(ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמָ֣יו</span> <span class="translit">(yā·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are filled with grief,</span><br /><span class="heb">מַכְאֹבִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(maḵ·’ō·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4341.htm">Strong's 4341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anguish, affliction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his task</span><br /><span class="heb">עִנְיָנ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘in·yā·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6045.htm">Strong's 6045: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ado, employment, an affair</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is sorrowful;</span><br /><span class="heb">וָכַ֙עַס֙</span> <span class="translit">(wā·ḵa·‘as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vexation, anger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at night,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּלַּ֖יְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(bal·lay·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his mind</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבּ֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">rest.</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁכַ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḵaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7901.htm">Strong's 7901: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lie down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">This</span><br /><span class="heb">זֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">too</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is futile.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶ֥בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:23 For all his days are sorrows (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 2:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 2:24" /></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>