Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
What does Ecclesiastes 1:2 mean?
Much is to be learned by comparing one part of Scripture with another.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity - This word hebel, or, when used as a proper name, in Genesis 4:2 , "Abel", occurs no less than 37 times in Ecclesiastes, and has been called the key of the book. Primarily it means "breath," "light wind;" and denotes what: (1) passes away more or less quickly and completely; (2) leaves either no result or no adequate result behind, and therefore (3) fails to satisfy the mind of man, which naturally craves for something permanent and progressive: it is also applied to: (4) idols, as contrasted with the Living, Eternal, and Almighty God, and, thus, in the Hebrew mind, it is connected with sin.
Key words
- Vanity
-
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher,.
- vanities
-
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher,.
- saith
-
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher,.
Context in Ecclesiastes 1
Show chapter context
Ecclesiastes 1 belongs to the opening movement of the book, especially the section often described as prologue and the vanity theme. Ecclesiastes examines toil, pleasure, wisdom, time, death, and the elusiveness of gain, then counsels reverent realism under God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of vanity, time, and death in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
Explore by topic
Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.
Bible verses about death and dying
Passages on mortality, the reality of death, comfort in bereavement, resurrection hope, and the defeat of death through Christ.
Who quoted Ecclesiastes 1:2?
Find out who used Ecclesiastes 1:2 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Ecclesiastes 1:2?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «vanity of vanities»):
April 26 · Arthur Balfour · Ecclesiastes · Eduard von Hartmann · Evelyn Waugh · Francesca Carrara · Frederick II of Prussia · Helen Hunt Jackson · Leonhard Euler · Ludwig Wittgenstein · Manlio Sgalambro · Mathematics · Passion · Philosophical pessimism · Vanity · Vulgate