Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
Summary for Eccl 2:12-23: 2:12-23 a The Teacher now looks at the value of wisdom (2:12-17 b) and hard work (2:18-23 c). These, too, are “meaningless” (2:17 d). 2:12 e who can do this better than I, the king? No one after the Teacher will have any better perspective for comparing wisdom and folly because nothing new will be done under the sun (1:9-10 f).Summary for Eccl 2:13-14: 2:13-14 g Wisdom is better than foolishness: Wisdom has value in navigating life successfully. It cannot, however, save one from the fate of death or provide meaning (2:15-16 h).
Summary for Eccl 2:15-16: 2:15-16 i If both the wise and the foolish will die, what advantage is there in being wise? Since the lives of both wise and foolish people are fleeting, the conclusion is that all is meaningless.
• both will be forgotten: Those who follow us will not remember us or our accomplishments, so our efforts will come to nothing (cp. 1:11 j; 9:13-16 k).
Summary for Eccl 2:17-20: 2:17-20 l The Teacher came to hate life because of its griefs (1:18 m), toils (2:18 n), and apparent futility (2:19-20 o).
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