Definition: What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Ecclesiastes 1:3 together. It's a really thought-provoking and slightly philosophical verse! Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Core Idea: This verse is asking a big question about the value of our efforts – how much satisfaction we get from working hard, achieving things, and accumulating possessions – when those things are ultimately fleeting. Let's unpack it word-by-word: "What profit hath a man..." - This starts with a question about what a person actually gains from their work. "...of all his labor..." - This means the result of our efforts – everything we do, whether it’s building something, creating something, or doing anything – has a value. "...which he taketh under the sun?" - This is the tricky part! "The sun" represents time and worldly things. “Taking under” means being used up, diminished, and ultimately lost. So, what’s the point of the question? Ecclesiastes isn't saying that work doesn’t have value. It's suggesting that when we focus solely on material gain – chasing wealth, status, or pleasure – we miss out on something much more important: true happiness and fulfillment. The verse implies that true satisfaction comes not from what we get , but from the quality of our lives and how we spend our time. In a nutshell: The verse urges us to look beyond superficial rewards and consider the deeper, lasting benefits of living a life filled with purpose, meaning, and connection – things like love, peace, and spiritual growth. It's often interpreted as a call to find contentment in God’s plan and not to be obsessed with worldly achievements. --- Do you want me to: Explain it further? Give you some examples of how this verse applies to different situations? Explore other interpretations of the verse?