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Ecclesiastes 2:23

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2:23For all day long102 his work produces pain and frustration,103

and even at night his mind cannot relax!104

This also is futile!

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Footnotes

  1. 102 Heb “all his days.”
  2. 103 The syntax of this verse has been interpreted in two different ways: (1) The phrase “all his days” (כָל־יָמָיו, khol-yamayv) is the subject of a verbless clause, and the noun “pain” (מַכְאֹבִים, makh’ovim) is a predicate nominative or a predicate of apposition (see R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 15–16, §71). Likewise, the noun “his work” (עִנְיָנוֹ, ’inyano) is the subject of a second verbless clause, and the vexation” (כַעַס, kha’as) is a predicate nominative: “All his days are pain, and his work is vexation.” (2) The noun “his work” (עִנְיָנוֹ) is the subject of both nouns, “pain and vexation” (וָכַעַס מַכְאֹבִים, makh’ovim vakha’as), which are predicate nominatives, while the phrase “all his days” (כָל־יָמָיו) is an adverbial accusative functioning temporally: “All day long, his work is pain and vexation.” The latter option is supported by the parallelism between “even at night” and “all day long.” This verse draws out an ironic contrast/comparison between his physical toil/labor during the day and his emotional anxiety at night. Even at night, he has no break!
  3. 104 Heb “his heart (i.e., mind) does not rest.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

NLTNew Living Translation

Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

All his days are painful, his labor brings grief, and his heart cannot rest at night. This also is vanity!

KJV 1900King James Version

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.