Ecclesiastes 2:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ecclesiastes 2:18 encapsulates the Preacher's profound disillusionment and weariness with his vast earthly accomplishments. Having pursued wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and monumental building projects, he ultimately concludes that all his strenuous labor "under the sun" is futile. The source of his frustration is the inescapable reality of death and the necessity of leaving his accumulated legacy to an unknown successor, whose wisdom or folly he cannot control, rendering his efforts ultimately meaningless from a purely human perspective.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ecclesiastes 2 is a deeply introspective chapter where Qoheleth, the Preacher, systematically recounts his comprehensive "experiments" in life, designed to test various avenues for finding meaning and satisfaction. Following his initial declaration of "vanity of vanities" in [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - The Vanity of All Things"), he embarks on a quest that includes indulging in pleasure, accumulating immense wealth, undertaking grand building projects like palaces and gardens, and even seeking wisdom. Despite achieving unparalleled success in all these endeavors—possessing more than any before him in Jerusalem, as stated in [Ecclesiastes 2:9](/ecclesiastes/2-9 "Ecclesiastes 2:9 - Qoheleth's Greatness")—he repeatedly arrives at the same bleak conclusion: "all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun" ([Ecclesiastes 2:11](/ecclesiastes/2-11 "Ecclesiastes 2:11 - The Futility of Labor")). Verse 18 specifically highlights the culmination of this despair concerning the fruit of his labor, as the temporal nature of his achievements becomes painfully clear in light of his mortality.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of legacy and the continuation of one's name and work through descendants or successors was paramount. Kings and powerful individuals invested heavily in monumental architecture, vast landholdings, and accumulated wealth, not only for their own enjoyment but also as a testament to their power and a heritage for future generations. The idea of leaving one's "labour" (or the fruit of it) to a successor was a common expectation. However, the anxiety expressed in Ecclesiastes 2:18—that the successor might be foolish or squander the inheritance—was a genuine concern, as historical examples of incompetent or destructive heirs were not uncommon. This highlights a universal human dilemma: the desire for lasting impact versus the reality of limited control over one's legacy after death. The "under the sun" motif, prevalent throughout Ecclesiastes, grounds the Preacher's observations in the earthly, human experience, devoid of explicit divine revelation or an eternal perspective, which was a unique philosophical stance for its time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Ecclesiastes. First, it underscores the **Futility of Earthly Labor and Accumulation** when pursued as an end in itself. The Preacher's "hatred" is not for work itself, but for the ultimate meaninglessness of its outcome when viewed through the lens of mortality and an earthly horizon. Second, it highlights the **Inevitable Leveling Effect of Death**, a recurring and central theme in the book. Regardless of one's achievements or wealth, death strips all away, rendering all earthly distinctions temporary, as seen in [Ecclesiastes 2:16](/ecclesiastes/2-16 "Ecclesiastes 2:16 - The Fate of the Wise and Foolish"). Third, the verse emphasizes the **Uncertainty of Inheritance and Legacy**. The Preacher's distress is compounded by the lack of control over who will inherit his painstaking work and whether they will preserve or squander it. This uncertainty about the "man that shall be after me" ([Ecclesiastes 2:19](/ecclesiastes/2-19 "Ecclesiastes 2:19 - The Unknown Heir")) adds another layer to the "vanity" of striving for earthly possessions and achievements without an eternal perspective.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hated (Hebrew, _sânêʼ'_):** This term signifies a personal aversion, indicating a profound emotional rejection. It conveys an intense dislike, reaching the level of being odious. Qoheleth's use of this word expresses the depth of his disillusionment, moving beyond mere dissatisfaction to an active, personal hatred of the outcome of his efforts.
* **labour (Hebrew, _ʻâmâl'_):** This word denotes strenuous, wearing effort, encompassing toil, pain, and even wickedness. It describes the exhaustive nature of Qoheleth's endeavors, implying the physical and mental exertion involved in his grand projects and accumulations. The term also carries connotations of worry, sorrow, and travail, highlighting the burdensome and ultimately unsatisfactory nature of his work.
* **man (Hebrew, _ʼâdâm'_):** This refers to a human being, an individual, or the species of mankind. In this context, it specifically points to the unknown successor—an "another" individual—who will inherit the fruits of Qoheleth's toil. The generic nature of the term emphasizes the impersonal transfer of wealth and the lack of control over the character or actions of this future heir.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun:"** The Preacher expresses a profound and bitter aversion to the sum total of his life's work and accomplishments. This "hatred" is born from the realization that despite the immense effort and success, these achievements yield no lasting satisfaction or ultimate meaning when viewed from a purely earthly perspective ("under the sun"). The phrase "under the sun" is a recurring motif in Ecclesiastes, signifying a worldview limited to human experience and observation, without reference to divine revelation or eternity.
* **"because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me."** This clause reveals the specific reason for his intense displeasure. The inevitability of death means he must relinquish all his accumulated wealth, projects, and influence. The frustration is compounded by the fact that he has no control over who this successor ("the man that shall be after me") will be, nor over how they will manage or squander his legacy. This uncertainty and lack of ultimate control over his life's work render his strenuous efforts pointless in his eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Ecclesiastes 2:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of futility. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the Preacher, who meticulously pursued and achieved unparalleled success in all his endeavors, ultimately declares a "hatred" for the very fruits of his labor. This stark contrast between effort and outcome highlights the inherent paradox of seeking ultimate meaning in temporal pursuits. The phrase "**under the sun**" functions as a pervasive **Leitmotif** throughout Ecclesiastes, grounding the Preacher's observations in a human-centric, empirical worldview, thereby emphasizing the limitations of a life lived without an eternal perspective. The strong emotional language, "hated," serves as **Hyperbole**, intensifying the Preacher's despair and emphasizing the depth of his disillusionment, moving beyond mere disappointment to a profound sense of aversion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ecclesiastes 2:18 powerfully articulates a foundational theological truth: the inherent limitations and ultimate futility of human endeavor when disconnected from an eternal, divine purpose. It challenges the common human tendency to find ultimate security, identity, and meaning in accumulated wealth, personal achievements, or worldly legacies. While diligent work is a biblical principle, the Preacher's lament serves as a stark warning against idolatry of labor's fruit, reminding us that all earthly possessions and accomplishments are temporary and will eventually pass into the hands of others. This perspective encourages a reorientation of values, prompting believers to consider where true and lasting treasure lies, and how their efforts can contribute to something beyond the confines of "under the sun" existence.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "Luke 12:16-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")
* [1 Timothy 6:7](/1_timothy/6-7 "1 Timothy 6:7 - Bringing Nothing Into the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ecclesiastes 2:18 confronts us with the sobering reality that our earthly achievements, no matter how grand, are ultimately transient. It prompts us to honestly assess the motivations behind our labor and where we place our hope. If our primary aim is the accumulation of wealth, status, or a lasting human legacy, this verse warns that such pursuits will inevitably lead to disillusionment and a sense of vanity, for death will eventually sever our connection to all we have amassed. Instead, it calls us to consider the eternal impact of our lives, to invest in what truly lasts—our relationship with God, our spiritual growth, and acts of love and service that build up God's kingdom. This perspective allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labor as gifts from God, without allowing them to become idols or sources of ultimate despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What motivates my work and pursuits in life? Am I striving for an "under the sun" legacy, or for eternal significance?**
* **How does the inevitability of death shape my perspective on my current possessions and achievements?**
* **In what ways can I reorient my efforts and resources to invest in things that have lasting, eternal value, rather than those I must eventually leave behind?**

### FAQ
**Why does the Preacher "hate" his labor? Does the Bible condemn work?**

Answer: The Preacher's "hatred" in Ecclesiastes 2:18 is not a condemnation of work itself, which is often affirmed in Scripture as a good and necessary part of human existence (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")). Instead, his intense aversion stems from the *futility* of labor when its ultimate purpose and reward are confined to the earthly realm ("under the sun"). He hates the outcome because he realizes that all his strenuous effort and accumulated wealth must be left behind at death, with no guarantee that his successor will manage it wisely. This leads to a profound sense of meaninglessness and despair, as his efforts cannot secure lasting satisfaction, control, or legacy in a world bound by mortality. It's a critique of misplaced hope, not of diligent effort.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ecclesiastes 2:18, with its lament over the futility of earthly labor and the uncertainty of legacy, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The Preacher's despair arises from the temporary nature of "under the sun" achievements; all must be left behind to an unknown heir. In contrast, Jesus Christ offers an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for those who are born again ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope")). While human labor and its fruits are subject to decay and loss, Christ's work on the cross established an eternal kingdom and secured an everlasting inheritance for His followers, a legacy that cannot be squandered by foolish heirs or claimed by death. His sacrifice was the ultimate labor, not "under the sun," but for eternal redemption, securing a future where believers will not leave behind their treasures but will inherit all things with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Furthermore, unlike the unknown successor who might squander an inheritance, Christ is the faithful Son who perfectly administers the Father's will and ensures the eternal security of His people ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - The Son, Heir of All Things")). Thus, the futility of Ecclesiastes 2:18 is overcome by the eternal, unshakeable hope found in Christ, who is the true and lasting heir of all things.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.