The question posed in verse 3 is the true theme of the book. What gives genuine value (yitron) to existence? Can that factor be found in the present life? The question posed by the Preacher explains why everything is useless: there is no gain, no profit, no abiding value to humankind from labor in this life.5 As you read this opening section (1:2–11), list all the things associated with the idea of “sameness.” What human emotion is shown most clearly in this section? How does Ecclesiastes 1:11 describe