Ecclesiastes 2:18

Translations

Modern

I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And I hated all my toil that I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

Latin

Rursus detestatus sum omnem industriam meam, qua sub sole studiosissime laboravi, habiturus hæredem post me,

Original

Hebrew

English

I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

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

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
Psalm 49:10
For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.
Luke 16:27–28
‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,
Ecclesiastes 5:18
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
1 Kings 11:11–13
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
Ecclesiastes 2:4–9
I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
Luke 12:20
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
Ecclesiastes 5:13–14
There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,
Ecclesiastes 4:3
But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
Acts 20:29–30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
1 Corinthians 3:10
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
Psalm 17:14
…from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Heir: General Scriptures Concerning Industry: General Scriptures Concerning Inheritance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Murmuring: Solomon Wisdom: Worldly

Ecclesiastes 2:18

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?