Ecclesiastes 2:21

Arabic Bible AVD 1999 (الكتاب المقدس)

لِأَنَّهُ قَدْ يَكُونُ إِنْسَانٌ تَعَبُهُ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَعْرِفَةِ وَبِٱلْفَلَاحِ، فَيَتْرُكُهُ نَصِيبًا لِإِنْسَانٍ لَمْ يَتْعَبْ فِيهِ. هَذَا أَيْضًا بَاطِلٌ وَشَرٌّ عَظِيمٌ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Ecclesiastes talks about a person who works hard to gain wisdom, knowledge, and fairness, but ends up leaving all this to someone who did not work for it. The speaker sees this as a frustrating and unfair situation.

Explained for Children

Imagine you spent all day building a big sandcastle, and then someone else comes along and just takes it without doing any work. That's how the person in this verse feels - they worked hard but someone else gets the rewards without helping.

Historical Background

Ecclesiastes was written by the Teacher, traditionally thought to be King Solomon, around the 5th century BCE. It's part of the wisdom literature, addressing themes of life's meaning and purpose, often in a skeptical or pessimistic light.

Living It Out Today

Consider a scenario where a skilled worker creates a valuable product, but the profits go mostly to the company's CEO who did not contribute directly to its creation. This verse resonates with discussions on meritocracy and fairness in rewards.

Topics

• wisdom
• equity
• fairness
• meaning of life
• work
• rewards

Related Verses

• Proverbs 18:19
• Proverbs 10:22
• 1 Corinthians 3:8
• Ecclesiastes 4:4
• Ecclesiastes 5:18

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the verse mean by 'vanity and a great evil'?

The phrase 'vanity and a great evil' expresses the speaker's frustration and disappointment about the unfairness of life, where hard work and wisdom don't always lead to deserved rewards.

Is this a common theme in Ecclesiastes?

Yes, Ecclesiastes frequently explores themes of life's apparent futility and the struggles against injustice, highlighting the complexities of finding meaning in life.

How can we apply this verse to modern work environments?

This verse can remind us to consider fairness and equity in our workplaces. It encourages us to reflect on whether rewards and recognition are being distributed based on true contributions.

Does this verse suggest a pessimistic view of life?

While the verse does express a pessimistic perspective, it also prompts us to critically think about the values and principles we apply to our lives and work, encouraging a deeper reflection on life's purpose.