Ecclesiastes 2:23

For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.

JPS TaNaKH 1917

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

22For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun?

24There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Esther 6:1On that night could not the king sleep; and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles, and they were read before the king.

Job 7:13When I say: 'My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint';

Psalms 6:6(6-7) I am weary with my groaning; every night make I my bed to swim; I melt away my couch with my tears.

Psalms 77:2(77-3) In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; with my hand uplifted, mine eye streameth in the night without ceasing; my soul refuseth to be comforted.

Psalms 90:15Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, according to the years wherein we have seen evil.

Ecclesiastes 1:18For in much wisdom is much vexation; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth 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