Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
Yes, I came to hate all the work I had done in this life, because I would have to leave everything to whoever comes after me.
The writer is expressing frustration that all his hard work and achievements will eventually be left to someone else when he dies.
📚 Historical Context
Ecclesiastes is a book in the Old Testament attributed to King Solomon, a wise and wealthy ruler of ancient Israel around the 10th century BC, who reflects on the meaninglessness of human endeavors. In this verse, the speaker expresses deep dissatisfaction with his lifelong efforts because he realizes that all his hard work and possessions will be inherited by unknown successors after his death. This highlights the ancient Near Eastern cultural emphasis on legacy and inheritance, set against the biblical theme of life's fleeting nature.
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