tnHeb “for them”; the referent (people, i.e., mankind) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
23
tn Qoheleth uses the exceptive particle אִם … כִּי (ki …’ im, “except”) to identify the only exception to the futility within man’s life (BDB 474s.v.כִּי 2).
24
tnHeb “to do good.” The phrase לַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹב (la’asot tov) functions idiomatically for “to experience [or see] happiness [or joy].” The verb עָשַׂה (’asah) probably denotes “to acquire; to obtain” (BDB 795s.v.עָשַׂה II.7), and טוֹב (tov) means “good; pleasure; happiness,” e.g., Eccl 2:24; 3:13; 5:17 (BDB 375s.v.טוֹב 1).