Ecclesiastes 1:1-3
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 1
1 The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem:[a](A)
Vanity of Human Toil
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1:1 David’s son…king in Jerusalem: the intent of the author is to identify himself with Solomon. This is a literary device, by which the author hopes to commend his work to the public under the name of Israel’s most famous sage (see 1 Kgs 5:9–14).
- 1:2 Vanity of vanities: a Hebrew superlative expressing the supreme degree of futility and emptiness.
- 1:3 Under the sun: used throughout this book to signify “on the earth.”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-3
New International Version
Everything Is Meaningless
1 The words of the Teacher,[a](A) son of David, king in Jerusalem:(B)
2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”(C)
3 What do people gain from all their labors
at which they toil under the sun?(D)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 1:1 Or the leader of the assembly; also in verses 2 and 12
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