17. Hated. The Hebrew does not indicate a feeling of hatred or hostility so much as one of revulsion, disgust, weariness, or antipathy. The primary root meaning is “ugliness,” or “deformity,” either in a physical sense or in temper or disposition. The same verb appears in Mal. 1:3, where God says he “hated” Esau. God looked on Esau in disappointment and disgust, not with “hatred” in the usual sense of the word. Though God hates sin, He loves the sinner. In the latter part of Eccl. 2:17 Solomon clarifies his meaning: “The work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me.” All that Solomon tried was so far from providing him with the satisfaction he had hoped for that the very thought of these things served only to increase his discontent.
Grievous unto me. Literally, “evil upon me” (see Job 3:24-26; 7:14-16).
Vexation of spirit. Or, “a feeding on wind” (see Hosea 12:1; see on Eccl. 1:14; 2:11).