And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over everything I've worked for and all the wisdom I've gained in this life. This too is meaningless.
The writer is frustrated that all his hard work and wisdom will eventually be passed on to someone else who might be completely foolish and waste it all.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ecclesiastes, traditionally attributed to King Solomon during Israel's golden age of prosperity, the author reflects on the emptiness of human achievements and the unpredictability of life. Solomon, after pursuing wealth, wisdom, and pleasure, expresses frustration that his successor might be a fool who inherits and possibly wastes all his hard work. This verse fits into a broader theme of questioning the value of earthly labors when they can be undone by others.
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