Ecclesiastes 5:13 describes riches kept to the owner's hurt, while 5:16 laments no profit from labor — both critique the futility of wealth.

In Ecclesiastes 1:3, the same question 'what does man gain from all his toil?' sets up the book's theme, repeated here.

Ecclesiastes 2:22 asks what profit man has from his labor — a direct parallel to the same rhetorical question in 5:16.

In Ecclesiastes 3:9, the same refrain 'what gain has the worker from his toil?' echoes this verse's lament.

In Ecclesiastes 6:2, the same 'grievous evil' recurs: wealth without ability to enjoy, strangers consume it — mirroring the futility of toiling for wind here.

Ecclesiastes 11:8 urges enjoyment despite darkness, while here life's end is empty. Both address life under the sun; one laments, one advises.

In Proverbs 11:29, the fool 'inherits the wind' — the same emptiness of gain as toiling for wind here.

In Hosea 8:7, sowing wind leads to reaping whirlwind — a vivid parallel to toiling for wind's emptiness.

In Mark 8:36, Jesus asks what profit there is in gaining the world but losing one's soul — directly parallels the 'what gain' question here.

In John 6:27, Jesus contrasts work for perishable food with work for eternal food — a direct contrast to toiling for wind.

1 Timothy 6:7 states we bring nothing into the world and can take nothing out — a direct echo of the 'come and depart empty' theme here.

In Isaiah 26:18, the people give birth to wind — producing nothing, just as toiling for wind yields no gain.

In 1 Samuel 12:21, Samuel warns against empty things that cannot profit — echoing the 'toil for wind' image here.