Lux Domini

Ecclesiastes 1:9

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.
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What does Ecclesiastes 1:9 mean?

Men's hearts and their corruptions are the same now as in former times; their desires, and pursuits, and complaints, still the same.

Key themes

WisdomPeaceVanityTime

Read with

Keep this verse inside Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 and alongside a few nearby related passages.

Ecclesiastes 1:10Ecclesiastes 1:11Proverbs 1:7James 1:5

Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9

Hath been ... is done - i. e., Hath happened in the course of nature ... is done by man.

Key words

thing

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be,.

been

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be,.

thing

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be,.

Context in Ecclesiastes 1

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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.

vanitytimedeathjoy

Related topics

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Bible verses about wisdom

Verses on the fear of the Lord, wise speech, practical judgment, teachability, and the difference between biblical wisdom and mere cleverness.

Bible verses about peace

Passages on peace with God, peace in the heart, peace in community, and the biblical difference between true peace and false reassurance.

Who quoted Ecclesiastes 1:9?