King James Version

What Does Ecclesiastes 2:20 Mean?

Ecclesiastes 2:20 in the King James Version says “Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.” — study this verse from Ecclesiastes chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 2:20 · KJV

Context

18

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. taken: Heb. laboured

19

And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

20

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

21

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. leave: Heb. give

22

For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

Read Ecclesiastes 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair (וְסַבּוֹתִי אֲנִי לְיַאֵשׁ אֶת־לִבִּי, v'saboti ani l'ya'esh et-libi)—the Hebrew verb 'ya'ash' (יָאַשׁ) means to despair, lose hope, or give up. This isn't passive melancholy but active, deliberate despair—Solomon intentionally let his heart confront the futility he'd been avoiding. The phrase 'went about' (saboti) suggests a turning, a change of perspective. After pursuing labor's meaning through achievement, Solomon turned to examine it from the opposite angle: accepting its ultimate meaninglessness 'under the sun.'

This verse models brutal honesty before God. Rather than maintaining false optimism or denying reality, Solomon allowed himself to feel the full weight of all the labour which I took under the sun. This despair isn't the end of wisdom but the necessary path through which God brings us to see that meaning comes not from our labor itself but from receiving God's gifts with gratitude (2:24-26). Paul later echoed this pattern: 'we despaired even of life' led him to trust 'God which raiseth the dead' (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature typically promoted labor as inherently meaningful—Egyptian instructions and Mesopotamian proverbs promised that diligent work produces prosperity and honor. Ecclesiastes breaks this paradigm by acknowledging that labor 'under the sun' (evaluated apart from God) ultimately proves empty. For Israel's post-exilic community, struggling to rebuild after Babylonian destruction, this verse validated their feelings of futility—rebuilding what had been destroyed can feel pointless. Yet the book's conclusion (12:13-14) redirects: labor gains meaning not from its earthly results but from obedience to God, who will judge all works justly.

Reflection Questions

  1. What labor or achievement in your life have you been avoiding honest evaluation of, fearing the despair that might result?
  2. How can allowing yourself to feel the futility of earthly labor (when pursued as an end in itself) actually lead you toward true meaning in God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְסַבּ֥וֹתִֽי1 of 11

“Therefore I went about”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

אֲנִ֖י2 of 11
H589

i

לְיַאֵ֣שׁ3 of 11

“to cause”

H2976

to desist, i.e., (figuratively) to despond

אֶת4 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לִבִּ֑י5 of 11

“my heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

עַ֚ל6 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל7 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֶ֣עָמָ֔ל8 of 11

“of all the labour”

H5999

toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind

שֶׁעָמַ֖לְתִּי9 of 11

“which I took”

H5998

to toil, i.e., work severely and with irksomeness

תַּ֥חַת10 of 11
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃11 of 11

“under the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ecclesiastes 2:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ecclesiastes 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 17:11-151 Thessalonians 3:3-41 Corinthians 15:19Genesis 43:14Psalms 39:6-72 Corinthians 1:8-10

Test Your Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEcclesiastes Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ecclesiastes 2 with CommentaryAll Ecclesiastes ChaptersComplete Ecclesiastes QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes