What does the worker gain
The term "gain" here refers to profit or advantage. In the context of ancient Israel, labor was primarily agricultural or related to craftsmanship. The question challenges the reader to consider the lasting value of their work. This theme is consistent with other wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, which often contrasts the temporary rewards of earthly labor with the eternal rewards of righteousness and wisdom.

from his toil?
"Toil" suggests hard labor and effort, often with a sense of weariness. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, work was a necessary part of life, but it was also seen as a result of the Fall (Genesis 3:17-19). This reflects the broader biblical narrative that human labor, while necessary, is ultimately subject to the curse of sin. The question invites reflection on the eternal perspective, as seen in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to work for treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) and to do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Solomon opens Ecclesiastes 3:9 with the single word “What,” signaling that we are about to consider value and outcome.

• Ecclesiastes 1:3 voices the same concern: “What does a man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?”.

• Psalm 39:4–5 reminds us that our days are “a few handbreadths” and that “all mankind is but a breath”, underscoring how quickly earthly results fade.

• Job 7:17–18 shows God’s intimate awareness of humanity’s struggle, proving that the question is asked in God’s hearing, not in a vacuum.

The verb “does” looks for real, measurable return.

• Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases”. Human doing is always evaluated against what God Himself does.

• Proverbs 16:9 notes, “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps”, teaching that our doing only matters in light of God’s sovereign activity.

• James 4:13–15 warns planners to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that,” spotlighting dependence upon God for any accomplishment.

The focus narrows to the laborer, an ordinary person engaged in everyday tasks.

• Genesis 3:17–19 describes labor’s sweat-stained origins, yet also its dignity—God assigned Adam to “work the ground.”

• 1 Thessalonians 4:11 calls believers to “work with your own hands,” and 2 Thessalonians 3:10 adds, “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat”. Work is noble, but not ultimate.

• Colossians 3:23 directs labor toward the Lord: “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men”.

“Gain” seeks lasting profit, not mere wages.

• Matthew 16:26 asks, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”, warning that true gain is spiritual.

• 1 Timothy 6:6 observes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain”, redefining profit as eternal not temporary.

• Proverbs 23:4 cautions, “Do not wear yourself out to gain wealth,” because earthly gain slips away.

This preposition links effort to outcome, prompting us to weigh inputs against outputs.

• John 15:5 records Jesus saying, “Apart from Me you can do nothing”. Any genuine return must flow from abiding in Christ.

• 1 Corinthians 15:58 promises that labor “in the Lord is not in vain,” giving believers a place where input always yields eternal output.

The pronoun personalizes the assessment; each person faces individual accountability.

• Romans 14:12 declares, “Each of us will give an account of himself to God”, making the evaluation intensely personal.

• Galatians 6:4 urges each to “test his own work,” because another person’s ledger will not answer our own.

• Revelation 22:12 has Jesus saying, “My reward is with Me, to repay each one according to his work”.

“Toil” captures the exhausting, repetitive side of work, yet even this is under God’s gaze.

• Ecclesiastes 2:22–23 rues that “all his days his work is grief and pain,” yet chapter 2:24 also affirms that finding joy in labor “is from the hand of God”.

• Galatians 6:9 encourages, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap,” assuring harvest beyond the visible horizon.

• Revelation 14:13 comforts the faithful that “their deeds will follow them,” confirming toil has eternal echo when done for the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 3:9 presses us to weigh every hour of effort against the scale of eternity. Apart from God, labor yields only fleeting returns; with Him, even the most ordinary task gathers everlasting significance. The question “What does the worker gain from his toil?” finds its answer in Jesus: abiding in Him transforms toil into true, enduring gain.