King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I denied my eyes nothing they wanted. I withheld no pleasure from myself; for I took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward for all my work.
Berean Standard Bible:
Anything my eyes desired, I did not deny myself. I refused my heart no pleasure. For my heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
American Standard Version:
And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And whatsoever mine eyes{H5869} desired{H7592} I kept{H680} not from them, I withheld{H4513} not my heart{H3820} from any joy{H8057}; for my heart{H3820} rejoiced{H8056} in all my labour{H5999}: and this was my portion{H2506} of all my labour{H5999}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ecclesiastes 3:22
- 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?
Ecclesiastes 9:9
- Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that [is] thy portion in [this] life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
- ¶ Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.
Psalms 119:37
- ¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.
Psalms 128:2
- For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy [shalt] thou [be], and [it shall be] well with thee.
Ecclesiastes 2:22
- For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
1 John 2:16
- For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
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Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2:10
Ecclesiastes 2:10 is a verse from a book traditionally attributed to Solomon, the king of Israel, who was known for his wisdom and wealth. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the meaning of life and the vanity of worldly pursuits. In this verse, the author speaks of indulging in pleasures and desires, not denying himself any joy, and taking delight in his labor. The historical context suggests that Solomon, being incredibly wealthy and powerful, had the means to satisfy every whim and explore every avenue of pleasure and work.
The themes of this verse include the pursuit of personal pleasure, the satisfaction derived from hard work, and the philosophical reflection on the value of such pursuits. The speaker acknowledges that these joys and the fruit of his labor were his "portion," indicating a sense of entitlement or destiny in what he achieved and enjoyed. However, the broader context of Ecclesiastes suggests that these pleasures were ultimately fleeting and did not provide lasting fulfillment or meaning, leading to the famous conclusion that, without God, all is vanity or meaningless (Ecclesiastes 12:8).
In summary, Ecclesiastes 2:10 captures a moment of self-reflection where the author, likely Solomon, expresses that he allowed himself every pleasure and took pride in his accomplishments, considering these to be his rightful due. Yet, the book as a whole questions the ultimate significance of such pursuits, pointing to a deeper search for meaning that transcends material success and sensual gratification.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H680
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָצַל
Transliteration: ʼâtsal
Pronunciation: aw-tsal'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to join; used only as a denominative from אֵצֶל; to separate; hence, to select, refuse, contract; keep, reserve, straiten, take. - Strong's Number: H4513
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָנַע
Transliteration: mânaʻ
Pronunciation: maw-nah'
Description: a primitive root; to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury; deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold. - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. - Strong's Number: H8057
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׂמְחָה
Transliteration: simchâh
Pronunciation: sim-khaw'
Description: from שָׂמֵחַ; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival); [idiom] exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing). - Strong's Number: H8056
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂמֵחַ
Transliteration: sâmêach
Pronunciation: saw-may'-akh
Description: from שָׂמַח; blithe or gleeful; (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing). - Strong's Number: H5999
There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמָל
Transliteration: ʻâmâl
Pronunciation: aw-mawl'
Description: from עָמַל; toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind; grievance(-vousness), iniquity, labour, mischief, miserable(-sery), pain(-ful), perverseness, sorrow, toil, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness. - Strong's Number: H2506
There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵלֶק
Transliteration: chêleq
Pronunciation: khay'lek
Description: from חָלַק; properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment; flattery, inheritance, part, [idiom] partake, portion.