Key Verse Spotlight
Ecclesiastes 2:19 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" 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 vanity. "
Ecclesiastes 2:19
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
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
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 vanity.
20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
21 For 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.
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From This Chapter
Ecclesiastes 2:1
"I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 2:2
"I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth"
Ecclesiastes 2:3
"I 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."
Ecclesiastes 2:4
"I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:"
Ecclesiastes 2:5
"I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:"
Ecclesiastes 2:6
"I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:"
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