Ecc 3:12-13 | NETfull | STEP | I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Enjoy Life in the Present

12 I have concluded ^{▼▼ Heb “I know.”} that there is nothing better for people ^{▼▼ Heb “for them”; the referent (people, i.e., mankind) has been specified in the translation for clarity.}
than ^{▼▼ Qoheleth uses the exceptive particle אִם…כִּי (ki…’im, “except”) to identify the only exception to the futility within man’s life (BDB 474 s.v. כִּי 2).} to be happy and to enjoy
themselves ^{▼▼ Heb “to do good.” The phrase לַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹב (la’asot tov) functions idiomatically for “to experience [or see] happiness [or joy].” The verb עָשַׂה (’asah) probably denotes “to acquire; to obtain” (BDB 795 s.v. עָשַׂה II.7), and טוֹב (tov) means “good; pleasure; happiness,” e.g., Eccl 2:24; 3:13; 5:17 (BDB 375 s.v. טוֹב 1).} as long as they live,
13 and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil,
for these things ^{▼▼ Heb “for it.” The referent of the 3rd person feminine singular independent person pronoun (“it”) is probably the preceding statement: “to eat, drink, and find satisfaction.” This would be an example of an anacoluthon (GKC 505–6 #167.b). Thus the present translation uses “these things” to indicate the reference back to the preceding.} are a gift from God.