OET interlinear ECC 2:19

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-pronouns

יִהְיֶה֙

will_belong

Solomon is speaking of giving up hope as if he physically caused his heart to despair. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [whoever succeeds me]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ⁠יִשְׁלַט֙

and,he_will_have_power

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of wisdom, knowledge, and skill, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: [be in charge of]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

תַּ֣חַת הַ⁠שָּׁ֑מֶשׁ

below/instead_of the,sun

Solomon is using under the sun as a common expression of the culture to mean “in this life.” 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.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

וּ⁠מִ֣י יוֹדֵ֗עַ הֶֽ⁠חָכָ֤ם יִהְיֶה֙ א֣וֹ סָכָ֔ל

and,who? knows a,wise_[person]? will_belong or fool

The word heart here represents a person’s feelings and emotions. Solomon means that he caused himself to feel despair. You may have a comparable expression in your language, or you could state the meaning plainly.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

גַּם־זֶ֖ה הָֽבֶל

also/yet this Abel

Solomon is speaking as if the futility and transience of undeserved inheritance were vapor, which disappears quickly and lacks substance. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Also, this is fleeting and meaningless]