Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 2:13–18

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The 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.
Then 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.
For 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.
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.
¶ 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.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

6 selected · 4 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 13

  1. Ephesians 5:8Rank 1 from verse 13
    Open

    8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:11–12Rank 2 from verse 13
    Open

    11¶ 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.

  3. Ecclesiastes 11:7Rank 3 from verse 13
    Open

    7¶ Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

  4. Matthew 6:23Rank 4 from verse 13
    Open

    23But 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!

  5. Luke 11:34–35Rank 5 from verse 13
    Open

    34The 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.

From verse 14

  1. Psalms 49:10Rank 1 from verse 14
    Open

    10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

  2. Proverbs 17:24Rank 2 from verse 14
    Open

    24Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

  3. Ecclesiastes 9:11Rank 3 from verse 14
    Open

    11¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

  4. 1 John 2:11Rank 4 from verse 14
    Open

    11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

  5. Ecclesiastes 3:19Rank 5 from verse 14
    Open

    19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

From verse 15

  1. Ecclesiastes 6:8Rank 1 from verse 15
    Open

    8For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

  2. Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 2 from verse 15
    Open

    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  3. 1 Kings 3:12Rank 3 from verse 15
    Open

    12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

  4. Ecclesiastes 1:16Rank 4 from verse 15
    Open

    16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

  5. Ecclesiastes 1:18–1Rank 5 from verse 15
    Open

    Verse text is unavailable.

From verse 16

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:11Rank 1 from verse 16
    Open

    11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

  2. Ecclesiastes 9:5Rank 2 from verse 16
    Open

    5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

  3. Exodus 1:8Rank 3 from verse 16
    Open

    8Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

  4. Hebrews 9:27Rank 4 from verse 16
    Open

    27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

  5. Malachi 3:16Rank 5 from verse 16
    Open

    16¶ Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

From verse 17

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 1 from verse 17
    Open

    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. Ecclesiastes 4:2Rank 2 from verse 17
    Open

    2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

  3. Jonah 4:8Rank 3 from verse 17
    Open

    8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

  4. 1 Kings 19:4Rank 4 from verse 17
    Open

    4¶ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

  5. Ecclesiastes 1:14Rank 5 from verse 17
    Open

    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

From verse 18

  1. Psalms 39:6Rank 1 from verse 18
    Open

    6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

  2. Psalms 49:10Rank 2 from verse 18
    Open

    10For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

  3. Luke 16:27–28Rank 3 from verse 18
    Open

    27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

    28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

  4. 1 Corinthians 3:10Rank 4 from verse 18
    Open

    10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

  5. 1 Kings 11:11–13Rank 5 from verse 18
    Open

    11Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

    12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

    13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:13

COMBINED MEANING

wisdom

↗

Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:14

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eyes

↗

The bodily organs of sight; by extension, sight, attention, observation, perception, understanding, desire, judgment, estimation, favour, or the presence and view before which something occurs.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

head

↗

The upper part of the body; a chief, source, summit, or leading position.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

darkness

↗

Sense 1: Absence of light. Sense 2: Obscurity, ignorance, distress, or moral evil by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:15

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:16

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

for ever

↗

1. Without end; for all time. 2. Continually or permanently throughout the duration in view.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

remembrance

↗

1. The act or state of remembering; recollection or mindful regard; the continued memory or notice of someone or something. 2. Something that brings or keeps someone or something to mind; a memorial or reminder.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fool

↗

Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ever

↗

At any time; always or continually; throughout all time or for ever.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

seeing

↗

1. As a connective, because, since, or in view of a stated fact. 2. Perceiving with the eyes; observing. 3. Recognizing, discerning, understanding, or foreseeing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rememberance

↗

1. The act or state of remembering; recollection or mindful regard; the continued memory or notice of someone or something. 2. Something that brings or keeps someone or something to mind; a memorial or reminder.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:17

COMBINED MEANING

hated

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of hate, meaning to feel strong dislike, aversion, or enmity toward; in comparisons, to love less.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wrought

↗

Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

vanity

↗

Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

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

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:18

COMBINED MEANING

yea

↗

1. Indeed, marking confirmation, emphasis, addition, continuation, or heightening of what is said; it may also emphasize a question. 2. Yes, expressing an affirmative answer or declaration.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hated

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of hate, meaning to feel strong dislike, aversion, or enmity toward; in comparisons, to love less.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

labour

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

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

COMBINED MEANING

taken

↗

1. Received, accepted, or chosen. 2. Seized or captured. 3. Carried or laid hold of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sun

↗

The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

leave

↗

1. To depart, cease from, abandon, forsake, release, permit, entrust, bequeath, cause or allow to remain, omit, exclude, or not take. 2. As a noun, permission or liberty to act, including permission to depart.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Suggested context · Ecclesiastes 2:12–23

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

2:12¶ 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.

2:13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Selected passage

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.

Selected passage

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.

Selected passage

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.

Selected passage

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.

Selected passage

2:18¶ 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.

Selected passage

2:19And 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.

2:20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

2:21For 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.

2:22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

2:23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.