Ecclesiastes 2:20
New International Version
So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.

New Living Translation
So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world.

English Standard Version
So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,

Berean Standard Bible
So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.

King James Bible
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

New King James Version
Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore I completely despaired over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

NASB 1995
Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

NASB 1977
Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I turned my heart to despair of all my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Amplified Bible
So I turned aside and let my heart despair over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

Christian Standard Bible
So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun.

American Standard Version
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.

Contemporary English Version
I thought about all my hard work, and I felt depressed.

English Revised Version
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then I fell into despair over everything for which I had worked so hard under the sun.

Good News Translation
So I came to regret that I had worked so hard.

International Standard Version
So I came to be in despair about everything I had accomplished on earth.

Majority Standard Bible
So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.

NET Bible
So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.

World English Bible
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I turned around to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor that I labored at under the sun.

Young's Literal Translation
And I turned round to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour that I laboured at under the sun.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I turned about to let my heart despair for all the labor I labored under the sun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherefore I left off and my heart renounced labouring any more under the sun.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I ceased, and my heart renounced further laboring under the sun.

New American Bible
So my heart turned to despair over all the fruits of my toil under the sun.

New Revised Standard Version
So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore I changed my view concerning all the toil in which I had labored under the sun.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I turned to convince my heart about every labor that I labored under the sun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
so I went about to dismiss from my heart all my labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Futility of Work
19And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. 20So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun. 21When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.…

Cross References
Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Genesis 3:17-19
And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. / By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Psalm 39:5-6
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

Philippians 3:8
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Psalm 90:10
The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Psalm 73:13-14
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. / For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Psalm 127:1-2
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. / In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.


Treasury of Scripture

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.

Genesis 43:14
And 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.

Job 17:11-15
My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart…

Psalm 39:6,7
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them…

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Cause Completely Despair Despaired Fruit Grief Heart Labor Laboured Mind Round Sun Toil Trouble Turned Wherein Wherewith Wisdom
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Cause Completely Despair Despaired Fruit Grief Heart Labor Laboured Mind Round Sun Toil Trouble Turned Wherein Wherewith Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 2
1. the vanity of human courses is the work of pleasure
12. Though the wise be better than the fool, yet both have one event
18. The vanity of human labor, in leaving it they know not to whom
24. Nothing better than joy in our labor but that is God's gift














So my heart began to despair
The phrase "my heart began to despair" reflects a deep emotional and spiritual turmoil. In the biblical context, the heart often represents the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. The author, traditionally understood to be Solomon, expresses a profound sense of hopelessness. This despair is not merely a fleeting feeling but a deep-seated realization of the futility of human efforts. In the broader biblical narrative, despair is often linked to a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and purpose, as seen in the lamentations of the prophets or the cries of Job. Theologically, this can be contrasted with the hope found in Christ, who offers rest for the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28).

over all the labor
The term "labor" here refers to the extensive work and achievements Solomon undertook, which are detailed earlier in Ecclesiastes 2. This includes building projects, wealth accumulation, and the pursuit of wisdom and pleasure. Historically, Solomon's reign was marked by significant construction, including the Temple in Jerusalem, which was a monumental achievement of its time. However, the labor mentioned is not just physical work but encompasses all human endeavors and achievements. Theologically, this reflects the curse of toil from Genesis 3:17-19, where labor becomes burdensome due to sin. It also points to the New Testament teaching that labor without God is ultimately in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

that I had done
The personal pronoun "I" emphasizes the individual effort and personal investment Solomon had in his pursuits. This self-focus is a recurring theme in Ecclesiastes, highlighting the limitations of human wisdom and effort apart from God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, kings were often seen as the epitome of human achievement and wisdom. Solomon's acknowledgment of the futility of his own efforts serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations. This can be connected to the New Testament teaching in James 4:13-16, which warns against boasting about one's plans without acknowledging God's will.

under the sun
The phrase "under the sun" is a key motif in Ecclesiastes, appearing numerous times throughout the book. It signifies life from a purely earthly perspective, excluding the divine or eternal viewpoint. This phrase captures the essence of the book's exploration of life's meaning when viewed solely through human experience and observation. Geographically, "under the sun" encompasses the entire known world of the time, reflecting the universal nature of the human condition. Theologically, it contrasts with the heavenly perspective offered in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:2). This phrase underscores the temporary and often unsatisfying nature of worldly pursuits, pointing to the need for a relationship with God to find true fulfillment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects. His reflections in Ecclesiastes are often seen as a culmination of his life experiences.

2. Jerusalem
The central place of Solomon's reign and the location of the Temple, which he built. It serves as the backdrop for much of his labor and achievements.

3. Labor Under the Sun
This phrase refers to human efforts and endeavors in the earthly realm, emphasizing the temporal and often futile nature of worldly pursuits.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Earthly Pursuits
Solomon's despair highlights the temporary and unsatisfying nature of labor focused solely on earthly gain. Believers are encouraged to seek purpose beyond material success.

The Search for Meaning
The quest for meaning "under the sun" often leads to despair. True fulfillment is found in a relationship with God and aligning our work with His eternal purposes.

The Role of Wisdom
While wisdom is valuable, Solomon's experience shows that it alone cannot provide ultimate satisfaction. Wisdom should lead us to a deeper reliance on God.

Contentment in Christ
In a world that often values achievement and accumulation, Christians are called to find contentment in Christ, who offers peace and purpose beyond worldly endeavors.

Eternal Perspective
An eternal perspective transforms how we view our labor and achievements. By focusing on God's kingdom, we invest in what truly lasts.(20) Went about.--Ecclesiastes 7:25; Ecclesiastes 9:14; Ecclesiastes 12:5.

Verse 20. - Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair; Ἐπέστρεψα ἐγὼ (Septuagint). "I turned" in order to examine more closely. So in ver. 12 we had, "I turned myself," though the verbs are not the same in the two passages, and in the former the LXX. has ἐπέβλεψα. I turned from my late course of action to give myself up to despair. I lost all hope in labor; it had no longer any charm or future for me. Septuagint, Τοῦ ἀποτάξασθαι τὴν καρδίαν μου ἐν παντὶ μόχθῳ μου κ.τ.λ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

my heart
לִבִּ֑י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

began
וְסַבּ֥וֹתִֽי (wə·sab·bō·w·ṯî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

to despair
לְיַאֵ֣שׁ (lə·ya·’êš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2976: To desist, to despond

over
עַ֚ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the labor
הֶ֣עָמָ֔ל (he·‘ā·māl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind

that I had done
שֶׁעָמַ֖לְתִּי (še·‘ā·mal·tî)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5998: To toil, work severely and with irksomeness

under
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the sun.
הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (haš·šā·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2:20 Therefore I began to cause my heart (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 2:19
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