Ecclesiastes 2:21

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.

Ecclesiastes 2:21 (KJV)

Context

King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes to share what he learned by observing life closely. In this passage he reflects on the sorrow of human toil. A person may work with great skill, yet the reward of that work passes to someone who did nothing to earn it. Solomon calls this outcome “vanity and a great evil.“

Meaning

The verse describes a man who labours “in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity.” Wisdom means skill in making good decisions. Knowledge is the understanding he gains through effort. Equity is fairness and justice in dealing with others. Such a man works honestly and well. Yet he must leave everything he gained to another person who never worked for it. This is not a condemnation of work itself. It is a sober observation about the limits of human achievement. No matter how carefully a person plans, he cannot control who will inherit what he leaves behind.

Biblical connections

Solomon expands this thought in Ecclesiastes 2:18-23, where he grieves that the wise and the foolish both leave their labour to someone else. The uncertainty of inheritance makes his toil seem meaningless “under the sun.” This phrase means life viewed only from an earthly perspective, without God. The verse points beyond itself to a greater hope. In Christ, believers receive an inheritance that cannot be lost or taken away, as the New Testament teaches. That eternal portion gives lasting value to faithful work.

Application

This passage calls readers to hold earthly possessions loosely. Wealth, reputation, and even hard-won wisdom are temporary. They can be passed to others who may not value them. Instead of storing treasure only on earth, believers are wise to invest in what lasts: love for God, service to others, and obedience to His word. Even when outcomes seem unfair, God remains sovereign. His plan is not defeated by the injustice of inheritance.

Reflection

The frustration Solomon describes is real, but it is not the final word. Earthly labour cannot provide ultimate meaning. Yet God can receive even the most ordinary work as an offering of faithfulness. True satisfaction is found not in what we keep, but in knowing the One who gives and takes away. He alone offers a portion that no one can steal and no death can end.