OET interlinear ECC 1:13

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

לִ⁠דְר֤וֹשׁ וְ⁠לָ⁠תוּר֙

to,study and,to,discover

The terms seek and explore mean similar things. Qoheleth is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [to thoroughly investigate]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בַּֽ⁠חָכְמָ֔ה

by,wisdom

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of wisdom, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [wisely]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

כָּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר נַעֲשָׂ֖ה

all/each/any/every which/who done

The expression that is done is a passive verbal form. If it would be unnatural to use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [all that people do]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

תַּ֣חַת הַ⁠שָּׁמָ֑יִם

below/instead_of the=heavens

Qoheleth is using under the heavens as a common expression of the culture to mean “in this world.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [in this world]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עִנְיַ֣ן רָ֗ע

task grievous

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of business, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [an unpleasant task]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י הָ⁠אָדָ֖ם

to,the_children_of the=humankind

Qoheleth is using the sons of humanity as a common expression of the culture to mean “human beings.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [to human beings]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ⁠נָתַ֣תִּי אֶת לִבִּ֗⁠י

and,I_gave DOM heart_of,my

Qoheleth is using I gave my heart as an expression to mean “I devoted my mind.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I devoted my mind]

Note 8 topic: writing-poetry

עִנְיַ֣ן רָ֗ע & לַ⁠עֲנ֥וֹת בּֽ⁠וֹ

task grievous & to,be_busy in/on/over=him/it

Qoheleth is using a construction in which a verb and its object come from the same root. You may be able to use the same construction in your language to express the meaning here. Alternatively, your language may have another way of saying this. Alternate translation: [an unpleasant business ... to do]