Ecclesiastes 2:23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.
The setting
Jerusalem, late at night. Solomon lies awake in his royal bed, mind racing with kingdom affairs, building projects, political concerns. Modern-day Israel.
The emotion here: lying awake at 3am, mind spinning with endless concerns
The original word
inyan (עִנְיָן) — occupation, business, the thing that consumes your thoughts
Why it matters
Solomon managed 12 administrative districts, a standing army, and international diplomacy - imagine the sleepless nights
Read with care
What most readers miss in Ecclesiastes 2:23
Even in the night his heart takes no rest - this is clinical description of anxiety
Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about being busy. Solomon is describing anxiety disorder - when work thoughts never stop, even at night.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Ecclesiastes 2:23
Bible Genome reading
Ecclesiastes 2:23 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Ecclesiastes 2:23 comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include suffering, futility. Notable phrases: all his days are sorrows; heart takes no rest; this also is vanity.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Ecclesiastes 2:23 mean to you, today?
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