Ecclesiastes 1:3 kjv

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:3 nkjv

What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:3 niv

What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:3 esv

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:3 nlt

What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 3 Meaning

This verse opens Qoheleth's existential inquiry by posing a rhetorical question that sets the theme for the entire book. It challenges the conventional assumption that human effort and labor inherently yield lasting benefit or ultimate gain when viewed from an earthly, finite perspective. The implied answer is that, in the realm "under the sun," there is no enduring profit or ultimate advantage derived from one's toil, questioning the purpose and outcome of all human striving.

Ecclesiastes 1 3 Context

Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 introduces Qoheleth, often identified as King Solomon, reflecting on the meaning of life. The chapter begins by asserting "vanity of vanities, all is vanity," establishing the prevailing skeptical and observational tone. Verse 3 serves as the foundational rhetorical question for this sweeping declaration. It posits a general query about the value and outcome of human labor and achievements within the confines of earthly existence. The subsequent verses in Chapter 1 present cyclical patterns in nature and human life (the sun rising and setting, wind blowing, rivers flowing), illustrating that all activities "under the sun" seem to repeat endlessly without ultimate newness or permanent profit. Qoheleth, through direct observation and philosophical contemplation, aims to test and prove his initial assertion by examining various human pursuits throughout the book, including wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and toil, to see if any of them offer a lasting "profit." The historical context places Qoheleth reflecting from a position of immense power, wisdom, and wealth, thus making his observations profoundly experienced and widely applicable to all of humanity's striving.

Ecclesiastes 1 3 Word analysis

• What: This opening word is interrogative, forming a rhetorical question. It expects a negative or an extremely small answer, setting up the pessimistic or challenging tone of Qoheleth's inquiry regarding human effort.
• profit (יִתְרוֹן - yitrōn): This is a key Hebrew term central to Ecclesiastes, appearing ten times, exclusively in this book. It denotes "advantage," "superiority," "gain," or "lasting benefit." Qoheleth is not merely asking about immediate satisfaction or temporary gain, but about a lasting, permanent, or ultimate value that accumulates and remains. The absence of such "yitron" in earthly endeavors is his primary point.
• has: Implies possession or acquisition. The question concerns what truly accrues to an individual as a result of their efforts.
• a man: Refers to humanity in general, encompassing all people regardless of their status or specific endeavors. Qoheleth's observations are universal in their scope.
• from: Indicates the source or origin of any supposed benefit, directly linking it to human exertion.
• all: Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the inquiry. It's not about a specific type of labor, but every single form of human activity and exertion.
• his labor (עָמָל - ‘āmāl): The Hebrew term 'amal (noun) signifies hard work, toil, strenuous exertion, and often implies the pain, struggle, and weariness associated with effort. It goes beyond simple work to convey burdensome or painful labor.
• in which: Connects the man's being, actions, and very existence with the act of toiling.
• he toils (עָמָל - ‘āmāl): This is the verb form of the same Hebrew root ('āmāl), reinforcing the arduous and persistent nature of human work. The repetition emphasizes the relentless, wearisome, and often burdensome character of human effort.
• under: Specifies the setting or sphere of operation.
• the sun (תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ - taḥat haššāmeš): A quintessential phrase in Ecclesiastes, appearing 29 times. It refers to life and existence as observed and experienced from an earthly, human perspective, limited to what can be seen and understood without divine revelation or eternal insight. It encompasses the material world, human endeavors, and their outcomes, as perceived from below, within the cycle of life and death, apart from a transcendental purpose. This phrase crucially defines the boundary of Qoheleth's initial "profitless" observation.

• What profit has a man: This phrase is a fundamental questioning of human significance. It’s an evaluation of whether human existence and its endeavors yield anything truly meaningful and enduring. It highlights a search for ultimate meaning beyond temporal gains.
• all his labor in which he toils: This powerfully depicts the ceaseless, strenuous, and often burdensome nature of human activity. It underscores that all efforts—whether physical, intellectual, or emotional—are included in this skeptical assessment of lasting outcome.
• under the sun: This critical phrase establishes the scope of Qoheleth's immediate concern. It grounds his inquiry in the observable, finite, and material world, indicating that his initial conclusions are drawn from a human, non-divine vantage point. It suggests that any hope for enduring profit or ultimate meaning must lie beyond this "under the sun" perspective.

Ecclesiastes 1 3 Bonus section

This verse contains a characteristic feature of Ecclesiastes: a rhetorical question that expresses a profound philosophical or existential dilemma. The "profit" (yitrōn) discussed here is not just monetary gain but a deeper, ultimate advantage or meaning that human beings are inherently wired to seek. Qoheleth, often interpreted as the wisest and wealthiest man (King Solomon), presents these observations from the zenith of human experience, giving his conclusion particular weight. His journey throughout the book attempts to exhaust all avenues "under the sun" to find this elusive yitrōn. The negative answer implied in this verse is not the book's final answer, but Qoheleth's starting hypothesis for exploration, driving the reader towards the book's ultimate conclusion about fearing God and keeping His commandments. The relentless, wearisome nature of human toil described by "labor" and "toils" (both 'āmāl) underscores the effort invested without a seemingly commensurate, enduring return from an earthly viewpoint.

Ecclesiastes 1 3 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:3 launches Qoheleth's profound contemplation on life's perceived futility from a purely earthly vantage point. The question "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?" isn't asking if people gain anything at all—clearly, they gain sustenance, wealth, and status. Rather, it probes for an enduring, ultimate "profit" or advantage (yitrōn) that remains beyond one's brief life. Qoheleth observes that all human effort ('āmāl), despite its strenuousness, fails to yield a permanent legacy or intrinsic satisfaction when divorced from divine purpose. The phrase "under the sun" is key, framing the observation within the visible, transient world, apart from a God-centered, eternal perspective. This verse doesn't declare life inherently meaningless but challenges the common assumption that earthly striving, by itself, brings ultimate satisfaction or lasting value. It sets the stage for exploring whether any earthly pursuit—wisdom, pleasure, wealth, or work—can provide the ultimate "profit" that transcends death and the cycles of the natural world, subtly hinting that true meaning must come from beyond the 'sun's' purview.
Example:

• A billionaire spends their life amassing wealth, power, and fame (laboring under the sun). Yet, upon death, they leave everything behind and gain no eternal advantage.
• An individual dedicated solely to career advancement might find professional success but feels an internal void, lacking ultimate purpose despite great effort.