Ecclesiastes 2:23

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

World English Bible

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 does a man have of all his labor and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun?

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

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Esther 6:1On that night, the king couldn’t sleep. He commanded the book of records of the chronicles to be brought, and they were read to the king.

Job 7:13When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me. My couch will ease my complaint,’

Psalms 6:6I am weary with my groaning. Every night I flood my bed. I drench my couch with my tears.

Psalms 77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.

Psalms 90:15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil.

Ecclesiastes 1:18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases 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