I am no expert, but when I am discouraged, even when that word is a gross understatement, Ecclesiastes is my go-to Book for relief.
About three weeks ago, I was at the point described above, and I went through the Book three times in one week. Two of those times, all 12 verses at a sitting. Once, verse by verse, reading some of what others have said of this oft-neglected and misunderstood Book.
To me, Ecclesiastes is a book of disillusionment. Sounds negative, doesn't it? But think for a moment. As a Christian, do you want a delusive, unattainable view of this life under the sun?
But back to your question. In its context, verse 24 seems to be the conclusion of all that came before. The verse could be read as if the word '
therefore' was inserted between the second and third words. I.e., "There is,
'therefore,' nothing better..."
Ecclesiastes 2:24 (ESV)
24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
Since "this passage is very interesting to [you]," here's a little tidbit I read about.
Our English words, 'vain' and 'vanity,' can have a bit of a negative conation.
Dictionary[.]com has as their first two definitions in order of usage:
1. feelings of excessive pride.
Synonyms: amour propre, conceit, self-love
2. the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride.
Synonyms: conceit, conceitedness
But I do not think it is often (if ever) used this way in Ecclesiastes.
The word 'hebel' is pronounced as if there was another 'h' after the first 'e.' 'heh-bel,' sometimes that exhaling 'heh' sound is significant, having to do with spirit, wind, breath, etc. E.g., Yah-weh.
One commentator I read suggests that in our time, vanity, as it is used in Eccles. might be better translated as 'vapor,' something transient like a breath; the idea of here today gone tomorrow. As you read through Ecclesiastes, notice how vanity is rarely or never used for something wrong or sinful, as in some other places.
Roman 1:21 [KJV] "...they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."
ESV, NIV & NASV have 'futile.' YLT has 'vain.' CSB ha 'worthless.'
In the NT, the Greek word 'pneuma' is used 385 times in 350 verses, variously translated, [most often as 'spirits' (unholy), 'spirit' [heart, soul], Spirit & Holy Spirit,], but also as 'wind.' There's that exhaling "
haa" sound again.
Jesus used a play on words when talking to Nicodemus about the necessity of being born again.
John 3:8 (ESV)
The wind [πνεῦμα] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. [πνεῦμα]"
Well, I've said too much already.
Ed