Parallel Bible VersionsNASB/KJV Study BibleHebrew Bible Study Tools

Ecclesiastes 2:26

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— For [God] giveth to a man who [is] good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth toil, to gather, and to amass, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good in God's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— For, to a man who is good before him, hath he given wisdom and knowledge and gladness,—whereas, to the sinner, he hath given employment, to gather and heap up, to give to one who is good before God, even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— For to a man who [is] good before Him, He hath given wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; and to a sinner He hath given travail, to gather and to heap up, to give to the good before God. Even this [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— God hath given to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he hath given vexation, and superfluous care, to heap up and to gather together, and to give it to him that hath pleased God: but this also is vanity, and a fruitless solicitude of the mind.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Surely to a man that is good in his sight, God giueth wisdome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner he giueth paine, to gather, and to heape to giue to him that is good before God: this is also vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— For [God] giueth to a man that [is] good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also [is] vanitie and vexation of spirit.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— For, to a man who is good in his presence, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives toil, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who is good in the presence of the LORD. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit,
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— For [God] has given to the man who is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but he has given to the sinner trouble, to add and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God; for this is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— For [Elohim] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before Elohim. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
For x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
[´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים] giveth 5414
{5414} Prime
נָתַן
nathan
{naw-than'}
A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.).
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
to a man 120
{0120} Prime
אָדָם
'adam
{aw-dawm'}
From H0119; ruddy, that is, a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.).
that [is] good 2896
{2896} Prime
טוֹב
towb
{tobe}
From H2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well).
x7945
(7945) Complement
שֶׁל
shel
{shel}
For the relative H0834; used with prepositional prefix, and often followed by some pronoun affixed; on account of, what soever, which soever.
in his sight 6440
{6440} Prime
פָּנִים
paniym
{paw-neem'}
Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פָּנֶה paneh, {paw-neh'}; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.).
wisdom, 2451
{2451} Prime
חָכְמָה
chokmah
{khok-maw'}
From H2449; wisdom (in a good sense).
and knowledge, 1847
{1847} Prime
דַּעַת
da`ath
{dah'-ath}
From H3045; knowledge.
and joy: 8057
{8057} Prime
שִׂמְחָה
simchah
{sim-khaw'}
From H8056; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival).
but to the sinner 2398
{2398} Prime
חטא
chata'
{khaw-taw'}
A primitive root; properly to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn.
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
he giveth 5414
{5414} Prime
נָתַן
nathan
{naw-than'}
A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.).
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
travail, 6045
{6045} Prime
עִנְיָן
`inyan
{in-yawn'}
From H6031; ado, that is, (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair.
to gather 622
{0622} Prime
אסף
'acaph
{aw-saf'}
A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence to receive, take away, that is, remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.).
z8800
<8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 4888
and to heap up, 3664
{3664} Prime
כָּנַס
kanac
{kaw-nas'}
A primitive root; to collect; hence, to enfold.
z8800
<8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 4888
that he may give 5414
{5414} Prime
נָתַן
nathan
{naw-than'}
A primitive root; to give, used with great latitude of application (put, make, etc.).
z8800
<8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 4888
to [him that is] good 2896
{2896} Prime
טוֹב
towb
{tobe}
From H2895; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well).
before 6440
{6440} Prime
פָּנִים
paniym
{paw-neem'}
Plural (but always used as a singular) of an unused noun (פָּנֶה paneh, {paw-neh'}; from H6437); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.).
´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים. 430
{0430} Prime
אֱלֹהִים
'elohiym
{el-o-heem'}
Plural of H0433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative.
This x2088
(2088) Complement
זֶה
zeh
{zeh}
A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.
also x1571
(1571) Complement
גַּם
gam
{gam}
By contraction from an unused root meaning to gather; properly assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correlation both... and.
[is] vanity 1892
{1892} Prime
הֶבֶל
hebel
{heh'-bel}
From H1891; emptiness or vanity; figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.
and vexation 7469
{7469} Prime
רְעוּת
r@`uwth
{reh-ooth'}
Probably from H7462; a feeding upon, that is, grasping after.
of spirit. 7307
{7307} Prime
רוּחַ
ruwach
{roo'-akh}
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Ecclesiastes 2:26

_ _ True, literally, in the Jewish theocracy; and in some measure in all ages (Job 27:16, Job 27:17; Proverbs 13:22; Proverbs 28:8). Though the retribution be not so visible and immediate now as then, it is no less real. Happiness even here is more truly the portion of the godly (Psalms 84:11; Matthew 5:5; Mark 10:29, Mark 10:30; Romans 8:28; 1 Timothy 4:8).

_ _ that he — the sinner

_ _ may give — that is, unconsciously and in spite of himself. The godly Solomon had satisfaction in his riches and wisdom, when God gave them (2 Chronicles 1:11, 2 Chronicles 1:12). The backsliding Solomon had no happiness when he sought it in them apart from God; and the riches which he heaped up became the prey of Shishak (2 Chronicles 12:9).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Ecclesiastes 2:17-26.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Ecclesiastes 2:26

Wisdom — To direct him how to use his comforts aright; that so they may be blessings, and not curses to him. Joy — A thankful contented mind. To heap up — He giveth him up to insatiable desires, and wearisome labours, that he may leave it to others, yea to such as he least desired, to good and virtuous men.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

[[no comment]]

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
in his sight:
Heb. before him,
Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

wisdom:

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God. ... And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did [it] with all his heart, and prospered.
Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. ... She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her.
Isaiah 3:10-11 Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. ... Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. ... For he that in these things serveth Christ [is] acceptable to God, and approved of men.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: ... That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ... Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ... Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

to the sinner:

Job 27:16-17 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; ... He may prepare [it], but the just shall put [it] on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
Proverbs 13:22 A good [man] leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner [is] laid up for the just.
Proverbs 28:8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Random Bible VersesNew Quotes



Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Gn 7:1. 2Ch 31:20. Jb 27:16. Pv 3:13; 13:22; 28:8. Is 3:10. Lk 1:6. Jn 16:24. Ro 14:17. 1Co 1:30. Ga 5:22. Col 1:9; 3:16. Jm 3:17.

Newest Chat Bible Comment
Comment HereExpand User Bible CommentaryComplete Biblical ResearchComplete Chat Bible Commentary
Recent Chat Bible Comments