For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
There are people who work hard with wisdom, knowledge, and fairness to build something good. But when they die, they have to leave everything they've worked for to someone who didn't put in any of that effort. This is also meaningless and a terrible injustice.
The writer is pointing out the frustrating reality that people who work wisely and skillfully must eventually leave everything to others who didn't earn it.
📚 Historical Context
King Solomon, traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, is reflecting on the apparent meaninglessness he observes in life despite his great wisdom and wealth. In ancient times, inheritance laws meant that a person's life work would typically pass to their children or relatives, regardless of whether those heirs had the same wisdom or work ethic. This created a sense of futility about human achievement and legacy.
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