Hebrew Bible Study
Hebrew Bible Study

Quotation for Ecclesiastes 2:24

אֵֽין־ט֤וֹב בָּאָדָם֙ שֶׁיֹּאכַ֣ל וְשָׁתָ֔ה וְהֶרְאָ֧ה אֶת־נַפְשׁ֛וֹ ט֖וֹב בַּעֲמָל֑וֹ גַּם־זֹה֙ רָאִ֣יתִי אָ֔נִי כִּ֛י מִיַּ֥ד הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים הִֽיא׃

There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Footnotes to Kohelet by Bruce Heitler

In contrast to the frustration of trying to find something worthwhile under the sun, the ultimate value appears in appreciating what comes from the "hand of God." Moreover, what is from the hand of God is the very ability to appreciate one's work without referring it to any outside standard or consequence. This is similar to the thought expressed in the Song of Songs where the feeling between lovers is expressed as God being present in His chamber. Our feelings of joy and satisfaction are themselves the gift of God.
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