Definition: Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ecclesiastes 2:11. It’s a really thought-provoking statement about human endeavors. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the verse says: “I’ve spent so much time working and building things – trying to make sense of life, doing all sorts of tasks – and it turned out that everything I did was ultimately pointless and made me feel frustrated and uncomfortable. There was no real reward or satisfaction.” Let's unpack that a little: “I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought…” This means he spent a lot of time focusing on his activities – building, creating, working. He was immersed in doing things. “…and on the labour that I had laboured to do…” He’s talking about the effort and dedication he put into his tasks. “And, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit…” This is a key part. "Behold" means “look” or “see.” “Vanity” means foolishness or pride; it's feeling like you’re not good enough. “Vexation of spirit” means he was feeling distressed, troubled, and unhappy because he wasn’t finding any satisfaction in his work. “…and there was [there was] no profit under the sun.” This is the core of the message. The verse emphasizes that even after all the effort , the results were ultimately meaningless. “The sun” represents time, and "profit" represents something valuable – like wealth, happiness, or a sense of purpose. The verse says there was no benefit or reward because everything he was doing wasn’t actually bringing him satisfaction. So, what's the big takeaway? The verse suggests that we shouldn't get too caught up in trying to build things and achieve goals – even if we do it diligently - without considering the ultimate outcome. It encourages us to reflect on our efforts and ask ourselves: “Is this truly making me happy and fulfilling?” It’s a reminder that true value isn’t always found in what we do , but in how we feel while doing it. In essence, it's a call for a more balanced perspective – to be mindful of our efforts and not get lost in the pursuit of things without considering their purpose. Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with examples? Discuss what biblical thinkers might have interpreted this passage?