Ecclesiastes 3:10

Authorized King James Version

PDF

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

Original Language Analysis

רָאִ֣יתִי I have seen H7200
רָאִ֣יתִי I have seen
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 1 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעִנְיָ֗ן the travail H6045
הָֽעִנְיָ֗ן the travail
Strong's: H6045
Word #: 3 of 10
ado, i.e., (generally) employment or (specifically) an affair
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 4 of 10
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֧ן hath given H5414
נָתַ֧ן hath given
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 5 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֱלֹהִ֛ים which God H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים which God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 10
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
לִבְנֵ֥י to the sons H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י to the sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 7 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הָאָדָ֖ם of men H120
הָאָדָ֖ם of men
Strong's: H120
Word #: 8 of 10
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לַעֲנ֥וֹת to be exercised H6031
לַעֲנ֥וֹת to be exercised
Strong's: H6031
Word #: 9 of 10
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
בּֽוֹ׃ H0
בּֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 10 of 10

Analysis & Commentary

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it (רָאִיתִי אֶת־הָעִנְיָן אֲשֶׁר נָתַן אֱלֹהִים לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם לַעֲנוֹת בּוֹ, ra'iti et-ha'inyan asher natan Elohim livnei ha'adam la'anot bo). The word 'inyan' (עִנְיָן) means business, task, or occupation—the range of human activities. The verb 'la'anot' (לַעֲנוֹת) can mean to be occupied, afflicted, or humbled. God has given humanity the 'travail' (עִנְיָן, inyan) of working within time's constraints and seasons' cycles.

This isn't punishment but providential design. God assigns humans the task of laboring within temporal limitations—we cannot add to His works (v. 14), we cannot know the future (v. 11), we must work within appointed times (v. 1-8). This 'exercise' (la'anot) serves a pedagogical purpose: teaching dependence, humility, and trust. The travail isn't meaningless but educational. It drives us to fear God (v. 14) and receive each day as His gift (v. 13). Paul later affirms that creation's bondage to futility serves God's purposes (Romans 8:20-21), groaning that prepares for redemption.

Historical Context

The Hebrew term 'sons of men' (בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, b'nei ha'adam) emphasizes humanity's creaturely status—we are Adam's descendants, made from dust, subject to mortality. Ancient Near Eastern wisdom often portrayed humans as servants of the gods, assigned burdensome labor (as in the Atrahasis Epic). However, Ecclesiastes presents a distinctively biblical perspective: God assigns human travail not as divine exploitation but as pedagogical discipline that teaches wisdom, humility, and dependence. For post-exilic Israel, the 'travail' of rebuilding after Babylonian destruction felt overwhelming—yet Ecclesiastes taught that such labor, though difficult, comes from God's hand and serves His purposes.

Questions for Reflection