King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I hated all the things for which I had worked under the sun, because I saw that I would have to leave them to the man who will come after me.
Berean Standard Bible:
I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
American Standard Version:
And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Yea, I hated{H8130} all my labour{H5999} which I had taken{H6001} under the sun{H8121}: because I should leave{H3240} it unto the man{H120} that shall be after{H310} me.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 49:10
- For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Psalms 39:6
- Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Luke 16:27
- Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luke 16:28
- For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Psalms 17:14
- From men [which are] thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, [which have] their portion in [this] life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their [substance] to their babes.
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 1:13
- And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all [things] that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2:18
Ecclesiastes 2:18 is a verse from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the meaning of life and the human condition. In this verse, the author expresses a deep frustration with the futility of his toil and achievements, recognizing that ultimately, he will have to bequeath everything he has worked for to someone who will come after him.
The historical context of this verse is set during the period of Israel's monarchy, a time of great wealth and wisdom under Solomon's reign. However, the author's tone suggests a sense of disillusionment. Despite his success and the abundance of his possessions, he finds no lasting satisfaction in his work. The theme here is the vanity of human endeavors ("under the sun" signifying earthly, temporal life) when considered apart from God. The verse reflects a profound existential concern, questioning the purpose of labor and the accumulation of wealth if one's successor will simply inherit it all.
In summary, Ecclesiastes 2:18 captures the existential angst of a wise and wealthy king who sees his life's work as ultimately meaningless because death is inevitable and the fruits of his labor will be enjoyed by another. This realization leads to a sobering reflection on the temporary nature of human achievements and the search for a more enduring significance in life.
*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: H8130
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂנֵא
Transliteration: sânêʼ
Pronunciation: saw-nay'
Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. - 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: H6001
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמֵל
Transliteration: ʻâmêl
Pronunciation: aw-male'
Description: from עָמַל; toiling; concretely, a laborer; figuratively, sorrowful; that laboureth, that is a misery, had taken (labour), wicked, workman. - Strong's Number: H8121
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
Transliteration: shemesh
Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ. - Strong's Number: H3240
There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָנַח
Transliteration: yânach
Pronunciation: yaw-nakh'
Description: a primitive root; to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay; bestow, cast down, lay (down, up), leave (off), let alone (remain), pacify, place, put, set (down), suffer, withdraw, withhold. (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be referred to נוּחַ, and the others here.) - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.