Ecclesiastes 1 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 (Old Testament)
7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 (Old Testament)
13 And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| הֶבֶל — hevel | Verse 2 — “Vanity of vanities…” | “Vapor,” breath, futility. | Hevel (“vapor/futility”) conveys fleeting insubstantiality (“vanity”). Qoheleth frames human striving as transient and elusive. The term becomes the book’s thematic anchor. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary on Ecclesiastes (1870) |
| קֹהֶלֶת — Qoheleth | Verse 1 — “…the words of the Preacher…” | “Gatherer,” assembler, teacher. | Qoheleth (“assembler/teacher”) suggests one who gathers a congregation for instruction (“preacher”). The title underscores reflective, public wisdom. The term connects the author to Israel’s sapiential tradition. — Charles H. H. Wright, The Book of Koheleth (1883) |
| עָמָל — ‘amal | Verse 3 — “…what profit hath a man of all his labour…” | “Toil,” burdensome work. | ‘Amal (“toil”) emphasizes wearying, often frustrating effort (“labor/toil”). The word highlights the human condition under the sun. The term frames existential limitation. — Samuel Cox, The Book of Ecclesiastes Explained (1880) |
| יִתְרוֹן — yitron | Verse 3 — “…what profit…” | “Gain,” advantage, surplus. | Yitron (“profit/gain”) questions lasting advantage (“benefit”). Qoheleth critiques the illusion of permanent achievement. The term exposes human insufficiency. — George A. Barton, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Ecclesiastes (1908) |
| דּוֹר — dor | Verse 4 — “One generation passeth away…” | “Generation,” age-group. | Dor (“generation”) emphasizes temporal succession (“generation”). Human life cycles contrast with earth’s endurance. The term stresses mortality. — Joseph Angus, The Bible Handbook (1891) |
| רָדַף — radaf | Verse 6 — “…the wind returneth again…” (implied pursuit) | “Chase,” pursue. | Radaf (“to pursue”) captures cyclical movement (“chase/pursue”). The imagery reflects natural repetition. The term expresses ceaseless motion. — Abraham Ibn Ezra, Commentary on Ecclesiastes (ed. 1873) |
| שָׂבֵעַ — savea‘ | Verse 8 — “…the eye is not satisfied…” | “Satisfied,” filled. | Savea‘ (“to be satisfied”) indicates fullness not attained (“satisfied”). Human desire remains unquenched. The term intensifies Qoheleth’s realism. — Christian D. Ginsburg, Coheleth: A New Translation (1861) |
| חָדָשׁ — chadash | Verse 9 — “…there is no new thing…” | “New,” fresh. | Chadash (“new”) challenges perceptions of novelty (“new/novel”). Qoheleth critiques cyclical futility. The term underscores human limitation. — Delitzsch, Commentary on Ecclesiastes (1870) |
| זָכוֹר — zakhor | Verse 11 — “…no remembrance…” | “Remember,” recall. | Zakhor (“to remember”) emphasizes fading memory (“remembrance”). Human legacy quickly disappears. The term illustrates existential fragility. — Wright, Book of Koheleth (1883) |
| תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ — taḥat hashemesh | Verse 3 — “…under the sun.” | “Under the sun,” earthly realm. | Taḥat hashemesh (“under the sun”) frames an earthly perspective (“in the human realm”). Qoheleth describes existence without direct eschatological insight. The term marks the book’s philosophical posture. — Barton, Commentary on Ecclesiastes (1908) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution / Work) | View |
|---|---|
| Augustine, Bishop of Hippo – City of God | Chapter 1 shows the emptiness of human labor and knowledge apart from God. All worldly pursuits are fleeting and cannot satisfy the soul. |
| Thomas Aquinas, University of Paris – Commentary on Ecclesiastes | The chapter illustrates that life “under the sun” is transient. True fulfillment is only found in contemplation of God. |
| John Calvin, Geneva Academy – Commentaries on the Old Testament | Human toil and achievements are vanity; without God, life is meaningless. Fear of God gives purpose and perspective. |
| John Lightfoot, Cambridge University – A Commentary on the Hebrew Text of the Old Testament | Solomon emphasizes the limits of human understanding and the futility of worldly effort. Wisdom is insufficient without divine guidance. |
| Matthew Henry, Nonconformist Minister – Commentary on the Whole Bible | Life under the sun is vain and repetitive. Only a God-centered life gives lasting satisfaction. |
| Charles Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle – Lectures and Sermons on Ecclesiastes | The chapter reminds believers that earthly pursuits cannot satisfy. Joy comes from God’s providence and covenant. |
| Jonathan Edwards, Princeton University – Miscellanies & Notes | Chapter 1 exposes the emptiness of life detached from God. Spiritual reflection is necessary for true contentment. |
| John Gill, Baptist Minister – Exposition of the Old and New Testament | All human labor and wisdom are ultimately vain under the sun. Devotion to God gives enduring value. |
| Richard Baxter, Kidderminster Parish – The Practical Works | The vanity of work and ambition points to human dependency on God. Recognition of this futility cultivates humility. |
| Joseph Benson, Methodist Minister – Commentary on the Old Testament | Life’s repetitive toil emphasizes its meaninglessness without God. Worship and obedience are the ultimate purpose. |
| John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople – Homilies on Ecclesiastes | Human pleasures and labor are insufficient to satisfy the soul. Contemplation of God is the only enduring source of meaning. |
| John Owen, University of Oxford – Commentary on the Old Testament | Chapter 1 highlights sin’s impact on human labor and knowledge. Fear of God anchors the soul amid worldly vanity. |
| Albert Barnes, Presbyterian Minister – Notes on the Old Testament | Life’s repetitive nature demonstrates human limitations. God-centered labor provides true reward. |
| Adam Clarke, Methodist Minister – Commentary on the Bible | Earthly pursuits are transient and futile under the sun. Reverence for God gives purpose to human endeavors. |
| Heinrich Ewald, University of Göttingen – Commentaries on Ecclesiastes | Solomon portrays the transience of human activity. God is the only stable source of meaning. |
| Samuel Cox, London – Exposition of Ecclesiastes | All human labor and knowledge are vanity under the sun. True significance comes from obedience to God. |
| Franz Delitzsch, University of Leipzig – Commentary on the Old Testament | Chapter 1 contrasts fleeting human efforts with eternal truth. God-fearing life transcends earthly vanity. |
| Hermann Gunkel, University of Göttingen – Commentary on Ecclesiastes | The text highlights human life’s existential limitations. Fear of God frames a meaningful existence. |
| Friedrich Delitzsch, University of Berlin – Old Testament Studies | Life under the sun is “vanity” without divine perspective. The chapter directs readers to God as the source of value. |
| Charles Hodge, Princeton Theological Seminary – Commentary on the Bible | Chapter 1 teaches the futility of human pursuits and ambition. Only submission to God gives lasting purpose. |
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1: The futility of worldly pursuit.
Memory verse: Ecclesiastes 1: 16-17 I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.” And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.
The Book of Ecclesiastes is known to be written, traditionally, by King Solomon. King Solomon is the son of one of the most illustrious and renowned kings in the old testament; King David. King Solomon was profoundly known for his wisdom and how he make judgments without an iota of partiality. This first chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes elucidated the futility of worldly pursuits.
Solomon is a typical example of someone who has navigated through life by acquiring the wisdom of all genres – which was his core pursuit while he lives – he could testify to the fact that human understanding is relatively limited and the level to which man exhibits something meaningful and palpable on earth is very shallow when God is not involved.
The life of King Solomon is visibly calling us in this dispensation to the right introspection that we should not depend our lives on worldly pursuits or mundane things. It is relatively important to know that desperately chasing after worldly pursuits can engender a gap between us and our creator, as well as deprive us of the tremendous access we have to Him.
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