Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

What profit {H3504} hath he that worketh {H6213} in that wherein {H834} he laboureth {H6001}?

What does the worker gain from his efforts?

What does the worker gain from his toil?

What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?

Commentary

Context

Ecclesiastes 3:9 follows the famous poetic declaration in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which outlines the cyclical nature of life and the various "times" appointed by God for every human activity. The Preacher, or Qoheleth, presents a series of seemingly contradictory actions, all part of the human experience "under the sun." This verse acts as a rhetorical question, immediately following that extensive list, serving as a pivot point. It challenges the ultimate value or lasting gain derived from all the toil and effort described, setting the stage for deeper reflections on human purpose and divine sovereignty.

Key Themes

  • The Futility of Human Labor (from an earthly perspective): The central question, "What profit hath he that worketh...?" highlights the Preacher's recurring theme that human effort, when viewed strictly from an "under the sun" perspective, often lacks lasting gain or ultimate significance. It echoes the initial query in Ecclesiastes 1:3.
  • Search for Meaning and Lasting Gain: The book of Ecclesiastes is an intellectual and spiritual quest for true meaning in life. This verse encapsulates a core part of that search, questioning whether mere hard work yields an enduring advantage or surplus that truly satisfies the human soul.
  • The Limitations of Human Endeavor: Despite all our efforts and busy schedules, the Preacher suggests that much of human labor, by itself, doesn't produce an ultimate, lasting benefit or break us out of the cycles of life and death.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Profit" (Hebrew: yitrôn): This key term in Ecclesiastes appears frequently and is often translated as "advantage," "gain," or "superiority." It refers to a lasting benefit, a surplus, or an enduring legacy that remains after the effort. The Preacher's recurring conclusion regarding earthly pursuits is often that there is "no yitrôn" or "no lasting profit."
  • "Laboureth" (Hebrew: 'amal): This word typically denotes arduous or painful toil, burdensome labor, or wearisome effort. It's not just "work," but work that often involves struggle, hardship, and a sense of futility, emphasizing the effort expended rather than the joy of creation.

Practical Application

Ecclesiastes 3:9, though seemingly pessimistic, serves as a profound challenge for self-reflection. It prompts us to consider:

  • The Purpose of Our Work: Are we working merely for temporal gain, or is there a deeper, eternal significance to our labor? This verse, by highlighting the potential emptiness of toil, implicitly points toward the need for a perspective beyond the earthly to find true meaning.
  • Seeking Lasting Value: While much of our daily work may feel like a constant cycle, we are called to find ways to invest our efforts in things that have eternal value. This might involve dedicating our work to God's glory, serving others, or pursuing righteousness, as hinted at in later biblical texts like Colossians 3:23-24.
  • Contentment and Perspective: The Preacher's question can help us cultivate a healthy detachment from the outcomes of our labor, reminding us that ultimate satisfaction and "profit" come from God, not from our own efforts alone. It encourages us to find contentment in God's provision and purpose for our lives, rather than striving endlessly for a gain that may never truly satisfy.
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Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 1:3 (7 votes)

    What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

  • Ecclesiastes 5:16 (5 votes)

    And this also [is] a sore evil, [that] in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

  • Proverbs 14:23 (4 votes)

    ¶ In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:22 (3 votes)

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

  • Ecclesiastes 2:23 (3 votes)

    For all his days [are] sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:11 (3 votes)

    Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.

  • Matthew 16:26 (3 votes)

    For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?