Ecclesiastes 3:10
What does Ecclesiastes 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ecclesiastes 3:10 means
The Preacher offers his observation regarding human toil, stating, "I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith." He perceives labor not merely as a consequence of the fall but as a divinely appointed "travail" or arduous task. This work is not random but is given by God for humanity to be engaged or humbled by it. It suggests that even the struggle and effort of life are part of a larger divine purpose, though its ultimate aim may not be immediately clear to humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have seen the travail thatGod hath given to the sons of men to toil in.
Context
Following the question about the profit of labor in verse 9, this verse offers the Preacher's direct observation and theological insight. He attributes human toil and its difficulty directly to God's design. This sets the stage for further exploration of God's overarching purpose in life's cycles, even when that purpose is not fully understood by humanity, which he will address in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 1:13
And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
- Ecclesiastes 2:26
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.
- Genesis 3:19
in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8
neither did we eat bread for nought at any man’s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9
For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
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