Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? New Living Translation What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? English Standard Version What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? Berean Standard Bible What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun? King James Bible What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? New King James Version What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? New American Standard Bible What advantage does a person have in all his work Which he does under the sun? NASB 1995 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? NASB 1977 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? Legacy Standard Bible What advantage does man have in all his labor In which he labors under the sun? Amplified Bible What advantage does man have from all his work Which he does under the sun (while earthbound)? Christian Standard Bible What does a person gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? Holman Christian Standard Bible What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? American Standard Version What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? Contemporary English Version What is there to show for all of our hard work here on this earth? English Revised Version What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun? GOD'S WORD® Translation What do people gain from all their hard work under the sun? Good News Translation You spend your life working, laboring, and what do you have to show for it? International Standard Version What does a man gain from all of the work that he undertakes on earth? NET Bible What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth? New Heart English Bible What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? Webster's Bible Translation What profit hath a man of all his labor, which he taketh under the sun? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhat does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun? World English Bible What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhat advantage [is] to man by all his labor that he labors at under the sun? Young's Literal Translation What advantage is to man by all his labour that he laboureth at under the sun? Smith's Literal Translation What the profit to a man in all the labor he will labor under the sun? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhat hath a man more of all his labour, that he taketh under the sun? Catholic Public Domain Version What more does a man have from all his labor, as he labors under the sun? New American Bible What profit have we from all the toil which we toil at under the sun? New Revised Standard Version What do people gain from all the toil at which they toil under the sun? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhat profit has a man of all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated What profit has a son of man in all the toil that he toils under the sun? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917What profit hath man of all his labour Wherein he laboureth under the sun? Brenton Septuagint Translation What advantage is there to a man in all his labour that he takes under the sun? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Everything is Futile…2“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” 3What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun? 4Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.… Cross References 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.” Romans 8:20-22 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. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. 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. 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. Job 7:16 I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. 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. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Psalm 49:10-12 For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. / Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. / But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 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. 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. 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, Philippians 2:16 as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. 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. Treasury of Scripture What profit has a man of all his labor which he takes under the sun? Ecclesiastes 2:22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? Ecclesiastes 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? Ecclesiastes 5:16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? under Ecclesiastes 2:11,19 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun… Ecclesiastes 4:3,7 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun… Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Jump to Previous Advantage Gain Labor Laboureth Profit Profited Sun Toil Toils Wherein Wherewith WorkJump to Next Advantage Gain Labor Laboureth Profit Profited Sun Toil Toils Wherein Wherewith WorkEcclesiastes 1 1. the preacher shows that all human courses are vain4. because the creatures are restless in their courses 9. they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten 12. and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom What does a man gain from all his labor This phrase questions the ultimate benefit or profit of human effort. In the context of Ecclesiastes, it reflects the theme of vanity and the fleeting nature of earthly pursuits. The Hebrew word for "gain" (yitron) suggests a surplus or advantage, which is often elusive in the temporal world. This echoes the sentiment found in Matthew 16:26, where Jesus asks, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" The rhetorical nature of the question invites reflection on the eternal versus the temporal, urging readers to consider the spiritual significance of their actions. at which he toils under the sun? Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. Jerusalem - The central place of worship and the political capital during Solomon's reign, representing the heart of Israel's spiritual and cultural life. 3. Under the Sun - A phrase used throughout Ecclesiastes to describe life on earth from a human perspective, emphasizing the temporal and often futile nature of worldly pursuits. Teaching Points The Futility of Earthly PursuitsEcclesiastes 1:3 challenges us to consider the ultimate value of our work and efforts. From a human perspective, labor can seem futile, as it does not yield eternal gain. Eternal Perspective As believers, we are called to view our work through the lens of eternity. While earthly labor may seem meaningless, when done for God's glory, it gains eternal significance. Contentment in Christ True contentment and fulfillment are found not in earthly achievements but in a relationship with Christ. Our identity and purpose are rooted in Him, not in our work. Stewardship of Time and Resources We are stewards of the time and resources God has given us. This passage encourages us to use them wisely, investing in what has eternal value. Reflection on Life's Purpose This verse invites us to reflect on our life's purpose and priorities. Are we seeking fulfillment in temporary achievements, or are we aligning our lives with God's eternal purposes? Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1What does "travail" mean in the Bible? What does 'travail' mean in the Bible? In Ecclesiastes 4:2–3, the speaker says the dead or unborn are more fortunate than the living—does this contradict the Bible’s overall respect for life? Does Ecclesiastes 3:19, comparing humans and animals, contradict other scriptures that distinguish the uniqueness of human souls? (3-11) Man is perpetually toiling, yet of all his toil there remains no abiding result. The natural world exhibits a spectacle of unceasing activity, with no real progress. The sun, the winds, the waters, are all in motion, yet they do but run a round, and nothing comes of it. (3) What profit.--The Hebrew word occurs ten times in this book (Ecclesiastes 2:11; Ecclesiastes 2:13; Ecclesiastes 3:9; Ecclesiastes 5:9; Ecclesiastes 5:16; Ecclesiastes 7:12; Ecclesiastes 10:10-11) and nowhere else in the Old Testament, but is common in post-Biblical Hebrew. The oft-recurring phrase "under the sun" is a peculiarity of this book. In other books we have "under heaven." . . . Verse 3. - What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? Here begins the elucidation of the fruitlessness of man's ceaseless activity. The word rendered "profit" (yithron) is found only in this book, where it occurs frequently. It means "that which remains over, advantage," περισσεία, as the LXX. translates it. As the verb and the substantive are cognate in the following words, they are better rendered, in all his labor wherein he laboreth. So Euripides ('Androm,' 134) has, Τί μόχον μοχθεῖς, and ('And. Fragm.,' 7:4), Τοῖς μοχθοῦσι μόχθους εὐτυχῶς συνεκπόνει. Man is Adam, the natural man, unenlightened by the grace of God. Under the sun is an expression peculiar to this book (comp. vers. 9, 14; Ecclesiastes 2:11, 17, etc.), but is not intended to contrast this present with a future life; it merely refers to what we call sublunary matters. The phrase is often tact with in the Greek poets. Eurip., 'Alcest.,' 151 -Γυνή τ ἀρίστη τῶν ὑφ ἡλίῳ μακρῷ Αι{ γὰρ ὑπ ἠελίῳ τε καὶ οὐρανῷ ἀστερόεντι Ὄλβιος οὐδεὶς Hebrew Whatמַה־ (mah-) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what does a man לָֽאָדָ֑ם (lā·’ā·ḏām) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being gain יִּתְר֖וֹן (yiṯ·rō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3504: Preeminence, gain from all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his labor, עֲמָל֔וֹ (‘ă·mā·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5999: Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind at which he toils שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל (še·ya·‘ă·mōl) Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine 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 Links Ecclesiastes 1:3 NIVEcclesiastes 1:3 NLT Ecclesiastes 1:3 ESV Ecclesiastes 1:3 NASB Ecclesiastes 1:3 KJV Ecclesiastes 1:3 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 1:3 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 1:3 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 1:3 French Bible Ecclesiastes 1:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:3 What does man gain from all his (Ecclesiast. 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