The Meaning of Ecclesiastes 3:10 Explained

Ecclesiastes 3:10

KJV: I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

YLT: I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.

Darby: I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men to toil in.

ASV: I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I have seen  the travail,  which God  hath given  to the sons  of men  to be exercised  in it. 

What does Ecclesiastes 3:10 Mean?

Chapter Summary: Ecclesiastes 3

1  by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail
11  is an excellence in God's works
16  as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast

What do the individual words in Ecclesiastes 3:10 mean?

I have seen - the task that has given God-given the sons of men are to be occupied with which
רָאִ֣יתִי אֶת־ הָֽעִנְיָ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֧ן אֱלֹהִ֛ים לִבְנֵ֥י הָאָדָ֖ם לַעֲנ֥וֹת בּֽוֹ

רָאִ֣יתִי  I  have  seen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָֽעִנְיָ֗ן  the  task 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עִנְיָן  
Sense: occupation, task, job.
אֲשֶׁ֨ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
נָתַ֧ן  has  given 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
אֱלֹהִ֛ים  God-given 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
לִבְנֵ֥י  the  sons 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
הָאָדָ֖ם  of  men 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָדָם 
Sense: man, mankind.
לַעֲנ֥וֹת  are  to  be  occupied 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: עָנָה 
Sense: (Qal) to be occupied, be busied with.
בּֽוֹ  with  which 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine singular