Ecclesiastes 2:11–12
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceChap.1.3.
¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
¶ *‖And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and madnesse and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the king? euen that which hath bene already done.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- ‖Alternative wordingOr, in those things which haue bene already done.
- *Cross-referenceChap. 1.17. and 7.23.
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From verse 11
- Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 1 from verse 11
- 1 John 2:16–17Rank 2 from verse 11
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but hee that doeth the will of God, abideth for euer.
- Ecclesiastes 1:3Rank 3 from verse 11
- 1 Timothy 6:6Rank 4 from verse 11
- Exodus 39:43Rank 5 from verse 11
- Genesis 1:31Rank 6 from verse 11
- Ecclesiastes 2:17–23Rank 7 from verse 11
17Therefore 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.
19And 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 vanity.
20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?
23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
17Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne is grieuous vnto mee: for all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
18¶ †Yea I hated all my labour which I had taken vnder the Sunne: because I should leaue it vnto the man that shalbe after mee.
19*And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a foole? yet shall he haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue laboured, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the Sunne. This is also vanitie.
20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despaire of all the labour which I tooke vnder the Sunne.
21†For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.
22*For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart wherein hee hath laboured vnder the Sunne?
23*For all his dayes are sorrowes, and his traueile, griefe; yea his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanitie.
- Habakkuk 2:13Rank 8 from verse 11
From verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 1:17Rank 1 from verse 12
- Ecclesiastes 7:25Rank 2 from verse 12
25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
25†I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seeke out wisdome, and the reason of things, aud to know the wickednes of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9–10Rank 3 from verse 12
9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
9*The thing that hath beene, it is that which shall be: and that which is done, is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing vnder the sunne.
10Is there any thing, whereof it may be sayd, See, this is new? it hath beene already of olde time, which was before vs.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:11
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of look, meaning to direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The end parts of the arms used for holding and working. Sense 2: Figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Trouble, distress, irritation, or that which wearies and afflicts the mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Benefit or advantage. Sense 2: To benefit, improve, or advance.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:12
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of turn, meaning to change direction, position, condition, purpose, or allegiance; to cause such a change.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; Wildness of passion; fury; rage.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Before the present or stated time; by this time.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
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Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 2:1–17
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2:1I SAID in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2:1¶ I said in mine heart, Goe to now, I wil prooue thee with mirth, therfore enioy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanitie.
2:2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
2:2I saide of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
2:3I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
2:3*††I sought in mine heart to giue my selfe vnto wine, (yet acquainting mine heart with wisedome) and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sonnes of men, which they should doe vnder the heauen all the dayes of their life.
2:4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
2:4I made me great workes, I builded mee houses, I planted mee Uineyards.
2:5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
2:5I made mee gardens & orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinde of fruits.
2:6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
2:6I made mee pooles of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth foorth trees:
2:7I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
2:7†I got me seruants and maydens, and had seruants borne in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattell, aboue all that were in Ierusalem before me.
2:8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
2:8*†I gathered mee also siluer and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the prouinces: I gate mee men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sonnes of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
2:9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
2:9So I was great, and increased more then all that were before mee in Ierusalem; also my wisedome remained with me.
2:10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
2:10And whatsoeuer mine eyes desired, I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any ioy: for my heart reioyced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.
2:11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
2:11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.
Selected passage2:12¶ And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
2:12¶ *‖And I turned my selfe to behold wisedome, and madnesse and folly: for what can the man doe, that commeth after the king? euen that which hath bene already done.
Selected passage2:13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
2:13†Then I saw that wisedome excelleth folly, as farre as light excelleth darkenesse.
2:14The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.
2:14*The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.
2:15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
2:15†Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the foole, so it happeneth euen to me, and why was I then more wise? then I said in my heart, That this also is vanitie.
2:16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
2:16For there is no remembrance of the wise, more then of the foole for euer; seeing that which now is, in the dayes to come shall be forgotten; and how dieth the wise man? as the foole.
2:17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
2:17Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne is grieuous vnto mee: for all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.