Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 2:20

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

1 selected · 9 available

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

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

5 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 20

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:19Rank 1 from verse 20
    Open

    19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 3:3–4Rank 2 from verse 20
    Open

    3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

    4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

  3. 2 Corinthians 1:8–10Rank 3 from verse 20
    Open

    8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

    9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

    10Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

  4. Genesis 43:14Rank 4 from verse 20
    Open

    14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

  5. Job 17:11–15Rank 5 from verse 20
    Open

    11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

    12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

    13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

    14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

    15And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 2:20

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cause

↗

Sense 1: A reason, ground, matter in dispute, or judicial case. Sense 2: As a verb, to make something happen.

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

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

sun

↗

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

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

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.

Selected passage

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.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find 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.