Ecclesiastes 2:23

All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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

In Context

22What does a man get for all his work, and for the weight of care with which he has done his work under the sun?

24There is nothing better for a man than taking meat and drink, and having delight in his work. This again I saw was from the hand of God.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Esther 6:1That night the king was unable to get any sleep; and he sent for the books of the records; and while some one was reading them to the king,

Job 7:13When I say, In my bed I will have comfort, there I will get rest from my disease;

Psalms 6:6\6:5\For in death there is no memory of you; in the underworld who will give you praise?

Psalms 77:2\77:1\I was crying to God with my voice; even to God with my voice, and he gave ear to me.

Psalms 90:15Make us glad in reward for the days of our sorrow, and for the years in which we have seen evil.

Ecclesiastes 1:18Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Sources of Dissatisfaction; The Cheerful Use of Abundance. 17 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. 18 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. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 2:23