The Bible — World English Bible
Ecclesiastes 1
In brief
Ecclesiastes 1 opens a book of wisdom with a cry: everything is vanity. The author, presented as a son of David and king in Jerusalem, observes that generations pass, that the sun, the wind and the rivers go round in circles, and that nothing is truly new under the sun. He then set out to examine everything through wisdom, and concludes that this quest, by itself, does not satisfy. This chapter raises the question that runs through the whole book: what is a life worth if it is lived without looking higher?
The chapter in 4 parts
1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
4One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
5The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
6The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
8All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there a thing of which it may be said, “Behold, this is new?” It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
11There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
12I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
15That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
16I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
17I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Key verses
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
The word translated as vanity evokes smoke or breath: something that cannot be grasped and does not last. The author does not say life is worthless, but that everything pursued without God slips away.
What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
The question of the book: what gain does a person have from all their labor under the sun? The phrase under the sun describes life seen without looking toward God.
That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Nothing new under the sun. This is not a rejection of progress, but a reminder that the same questions and the same limits come back from generation to generation.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
After observing everything, the author sums up: all is vanity and chasing after wind. The image describes effort that catches nothing, like running after the wind.
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Much wisdom brings much grief. Knowing more also means seeing more problems. The text does not reject wisdom but shows that it cannot be an end in itself.
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Frequently asked questions about Ecclesiastes 1
What does “vanity of vanities” mean in Ecclesiastes 1:2?
The Hebrew word rendered as vanity literally means a breath or smoke. The expression vanity of vanities is a superlative: the supreme vanity. The author means that everything we pursue under the sun, without God, cannot be grasped and does not last. He does not say that life has no value.
Who is the Preacher?
The text presents him as a son of David and king in Jerusalem. Tradition recognizes Solomon, known for his wisdom and his riches, and other readers see a wise man speaking with the voice of Solomon. In both cases, the book is received as a word of wisdom on the meaning of life.
What does “there is no new thing under the sun” mean (Ecclesiastes 1:9)?
The author notes that the same cycles return: generations pass, seasons repeat, the same questions come back. He does not deny discoveries, but he reminds us that the limits of the human condition do not change. This clear-sightedness prepares the book's answer: finding meaning in the fear of God.
What is the main message of Ecclesiastes 1?
That a life lived only under the sun, through wisdom, work or pleasure, does not fill the heart. The chapter states the problem, it does not yet give the solution. For many Christians, the answer is found in Jesus, who gives lasting meaning to what Ecclesiastes calls smoke.
Articles quoting Ecclesiastes 1
- Mark 2: The Sabbath, the Rest We Resist
- Ecclesiastes 4: There Is No Perfect Job, Work With God
- Ecclesiastes 7: Wisdom That Sees Clearly in Hardship
- 1 Peter 2: Your Identity Comes From What God Says About You
- New Spiritualities: What They Seek, What Christ Gives
- Zacchaeus: Hurry Down, Jesus Wants to Stay at Your House
World English Bible translation — public domain.