KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE
Ecclesiastes 2:11–13
A connected passage, with study helps kept beside the verses they explain.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
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.
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.
- Chap.1.3.
Ecclesiastes 2:12
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.
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.
- Or, in those things which haue bene already done.
- Chap. 1.17. and 7.23.
Ecclesiastes 2:13
13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
13†Then I saw that wisedome excelleth folly, as farre as light excelleth darkenesse.
- Hebr. That there is an excellencie in Wisedome more then in folly,&c.
ENSURE CONTEXTUALIZATION
Add surrounding context
Extend this passage one adjacent verse at a time.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VERSE?
Ask a Local Pastor
Find a nearby pastor committed to holding fast the faithful word, then use the public contact information to begin a real conversation. Nothing is sent or stored for you.
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:11
To direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828
Wholly, entirely, or altogether; every one or the whole amount, according to context.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
Acts, deeds, labours, or things produced; also acts or operates.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
The end parts of the arms used for holding and working; also figures of power, possession, agency, or aid.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
To look upon or see; as an interjection, look or take notice.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
Emptiness, worthlessness, transience, futile desire, or excessive self-regard.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
Trouble, distress, irritation, or that which wearies and afflicts the mind.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
Benefit or advantage; also to benefit, improve, or advance.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:12
Moved in a circle; changed.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
A compound of my and self, used after I, to express emphasis, marking emphatically the distinction between the speaker and unother person.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828 · Webster 1828 (independently verified transcription) · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness) · KJV usage (PCE)
To look upon or see; as an interjection, look or take notice.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
Sound judgment and the right use of knowledge; skill, discernment, or understanding.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; Wildness of passion; fury; rage.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828
A human being; an adult male; a person, husband, servant, or representative, according to context.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
Later than, behind, following, or in pursuit of, according to context.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
A sovereign ruler; one who reigns over a people or realm.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
Indeed or precisely; adding emphasis to what follows.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828 · KJV usage (PCE + 1611)
Before the present or stated time; by this time.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness) · Webster 1828
Performed; executed; finished; a word by which agreement to a proposal is expressed.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 2:13
Sound judgment and the right use of knowledge; skill, discernment, or understanding.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
To surpass, exceed, or be eminent in quality, ability, or achievement.
Meaning drawn from: Approved KJV word-family definition · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness) · KJV usage (PCE)
Visible brightness; something that gives illumination; not heavy; to kindle, illuminate, or come down upon, according to context.
Meaning drawn from: Webster 1828
Absence of light; also obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.
Meaning drawn from: KJV usage (PCE + 1611) · Webster 1828 · Strong 1890 (KJV alignment witness)
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
Choose how far to extend the reference list.
From verse 11
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study16For 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.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study6But godliness with contentment is great gain.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study43And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study17Therefore 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.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study13Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
From verse 12
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study25I 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:
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study9The 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.
From verse 13
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study11¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study7¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study34The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse studyVerse text is unavailable.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study18Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study5Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
7Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
- Study this reference
Open the full verse study130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
FOLLOW THE THEME
Related Concepts
Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in Scripture.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Still have questions? Ask a Local Pastor.
See public contact information for nearby churches. You decide whether to call, email, or visit.