Ecclesiastes 2:17

Translations

Modern

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Traditional

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Literal

And I have hated this life, because the work was evil to me that was done under the sun—for all is vapor and a striving after the wind.

Latin

Et idcirco tæduit me vitæ meæ, videntem mala universa esse sub sole, et cuncta vanitatem et afflictionem spiritus.

Original

Hebrew

English

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 2:17–20

The Teacher began to dislike life because of its:

Sorrows (Ecclesiastes 1:18)
Hard work (Ecclesiastes 2:18)
Seeming pointlessness (Ecclesiastes 2:19–20)

Ecclesiastes 2:12–23

The Teacher now examines the value of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 2:12–17) and hard work (2:18–23). These, too, are futile (Ecclesiastes 2:17).

Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26

The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.

Theme notes and profiles

Laziness and Hard Work Wealth and Poverty in the Wisdom Literature

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:2
So I admired the dead, who had already died, above the living, who are still alive.
Jonah 4:8
As the sun was rising, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint and wished to die, saying, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
1 Kings 19:4
…while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Job 14:13
If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me!
Ecclesiastes 2:22
For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?
Job 3:20–22
Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,
Jonah 4:3
And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
Habakkuk 1:3
Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.
Numbers 11:15
If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”
Job 7:15–16
…so that I would prefer strangling and death over my life in this body.

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes Futility

Topics

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Industry: General Scriptures Concerning Life: (Sacredness of, an Inference from What is Taught in the Law Concerning Murder): Hated Murmuring: Solomon Natural Life: The Dissatisfied Despise Wisdom: Worldly

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?