Ecclesiastes 2:26

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כִּ֤י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לְאָדָם֙

H120

to a man

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לְטוֹב֙

H2896

that is good

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

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לָתֵת֙

H5414

For God giveth

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

חָכְמָ֥ה

H2451

wisdom

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְדַ֖עַת

H1847

and knowledge

knowledge

וְשִׂמְחָ֑ה

H8057

and joy

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

וְלַחוֹטֶא֩

H2398

but to the sinner

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

#10

לָתֵת֙

H5414

For God giveth

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#11

עִנְיָ֜ן

H6045

travail

ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair

#12

לֶאֱס֣וֹף

H622

to gather

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

#13

וְלִכְנ֗וֹס

H3664

and to heap up

to collect; hence, to enfold

#14

לָתֵת֙

H5414

For God giveth

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#15

לְטוֹב֙

H2896

that is good

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

#16

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#17

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים

H430

God

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

#18

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#19

זֶ֥ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#20

הֶ֖בֶל

H1892

This also is vanity

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

#21

וּרְע֥וּת

H7469

and vexation

a feeding upon, i.e., grasping after

#22

רֽוּחַ׃

H7307

of spirit

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing wisdom contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ecclesiastes Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes wisdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on wisdom address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?

Related Resources

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Topics

Wisdom