Ecclesiastes 5:16This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
The setting
Jerusalem, ~950 BC. Solomon watching endless construction projects, trade caravans, workers streaming past his palace. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: exhausted king questioning his massive achievements
The original word
ruach (רוּחַ) — wind, breath, something you cannot grasp or control
Why it matters
Solomon employed 30,000 forced laborers and 150,000 workers on his building projects
Read with care
What most readers miss in Ecclesiastes 5:16
Solomon used this exact word 'wind' elsewhere in Ecclesiastes - it's his favorite metaphor for futility
Common misconceptionPeople think this means all work is meaningless, but Solomon isn't condemning work - he's questioning work that becomes your identity and ultimate purpose.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Ecclesiastes 5:16
Bible Genome reading
Ecclesiastes 5:16 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Ecclesiastes 5:16 comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Solomon. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include futility, vanity. Notable phrases: grievous evil; labors for wind; what profit.
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 5:16 mean to you, today?
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