Ecclesiastes 2:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

Complete Jewish Bible:

For what does a person get from all his efforts and ambitions permeating the work he does under the sun?

Berean Standard Bible:

For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?

American Standard Version:

For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For what hath^{H1933} man^{H120} of all his labour^{H5999}, and of the vexation^{H7475} of his heart^{H3820}, wherein^{H1931} he hath laboured^{H6001} under the sun^{H8121}?

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Commentary for Ecclesiastes 2:22

Ecclesiastes 2:22 is a verse from the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the king of Israel. The book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the meaning of life and the human experience, often with a tone of skepticism and realism. In this particular verse, the author ponders the futility of human toil and the emotional turmoil that accompanies it. The phrase "under the sun" is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing a perspective that considers the temporal and earthly limits of human life.

The historical context of this verse is set during the period of Israel's monarchy, likely during the reign of Solomon or shortly thereafter. This was a time of great wealth and wisdom in Israel, yet also a period marked by the existential challenges of understanding life's purpose. Solomon, known for his proverbial wisdom, uses his own experiences to question the ultimate value of human effort.

In summary, Ecclesiastes 2:22 encapsulates the theme of life's vanity and the vexation that comes with the pursuit of success and understanding within the transient world. It challenges the listener or reader to consider what true gain comes from the labor and troubles of the heart when all things are fleeting and ultimately return to dust. The verse invites introspection about the temporal nature of human achievements and the search for meaning beyond the material and the ephemeral.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1933
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָוָא
   Transliteration: hâvâʼ
   Pronunciation: haw-vaw'
   Description: or הָוָה; a primitive root (compare אָוָה, הָיָה) supposed to mean properly, to breathe; to be (in the sense of existence); be, [idiom] have.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7475
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רַעְיוֹן
   Transliteration: raʻyôwn
   Pronunciation: rah-yone'
   Description: from רָעָה in the sense of רְעוּת; desire; vexation.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1931
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הוּא
   Transliteration: hûwʼ
   Pronunciation: hoo
   Description: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular; he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are; he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.
   
7. 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.
   
8. 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.