Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 — The Vanity of Life
The Preacher explores the repetitive cycles of the natural world and concludes that human effort and the pursuit of wisdom often feel meaningless.
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,*“Behold”, from “הִנֵּה”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. 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†The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim). 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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Ecclesiastes 1:2
““Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.””
This verse introduces the central thematic lens through which the Preacher views all human endeavor.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“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.”
This verse highlights the repetitive nature of history and the lack of ultimate novelty in the human experience.
Ecclesiastes 1:18
“For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”
It captures the Preacher's conclusion that intellectual pursuit does not necessarily lead to happiness.
Chapter Summary
In Ecclesiastes Chapter 1, the author, identified as the Preacher and a son of David ruling in Jerusalem, presents a philosophical reflection on the nature of life. He famously declares that all is 'vanity,' questioning what profit a person receives from their hard labor. To support this, he points to the constant and unchanging cycles of the physical world, such as the rising sun, the shifting winds, and the rivers flowing into the sea. He argues that human history is similarly repetitive, asserting that there is no new thing under the sun and that past generations are eventually forgotten. The Preacher recounts his own journey of using wisdom to investigate everything done under heaven. He describes this pursuit as a heavy burden given by God to mankind. Ultimately, he realizes that even the acquisition of great wisdom and knowledge leads to a sense of chasing after the wind, noting that increased knowledge often brings increased sorrow and grief.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text identifies the Preacher as the son of David and the king in Jerusalem. While the book is traditionally associated with King Solomon, the narrator uses this royal persona to explore the meaning of life and wisdom.
The phrase 'under the sun' is used throughout the chapter to refer to the physical, earthly realm of human existence and activity as observed from a purely horizontal, worldly perspective.
The word translated as 'vanity' comes from the Hebrew word 'hebel,' which means breath, vapor, or mist. It signifies things that are temporary, elusive, or lacking in lasting substance.
The Preacher finds that the more he understands about the world and human nature, the more he recognizes the limitations and frustrations of life, leading to greater grief and sorrow.
Study Note
The Hebrew word 'hebel' is used 38 times in Ecclesiastes, serving as the book's primary metaphor for the fleeting and enigmatic nature of life.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.