Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!” New Living Translation “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” English Standard Version Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Berean Standard Bible “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!” King James Bible Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. New King James Version “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “All is vanity.” New American Standard Bible “Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “all is futility!” NASB 1995 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!” NASB 1977 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!” Legacy Standard Bible “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!” Amplified Bible “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).” Christian Standard Bible “Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.” American Standard Version Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity. Contemporary English Version Nothing makes sense. I have seen it all--nothing makes sense. English Revised Version Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Absolutely pointless!" says the spokesman. "Everything is pointless!" Good News Translation Useless, useless, said the Philosopher. It is all useless. International Standard Version "Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Everything is pointless." Majority Standard Bible ?Futility of futilities,? says the Teacher. ?Everything is futile!? NET Bible "Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, "All of these things are futile!" New Heart English Bible Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity. Webster's Bible Translation Vanity of vanities saith the preacher; all is vanity. World English Bible “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionVanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole [is] vanity. Young's Literal Translation Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole is vanity. Smith's Literal Translation Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleVanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity. Catholic Public Domain Version Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all is vanity! New American Bible Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity! New Revised Standard Version Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleVanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Futility of futilities, says the Preacher; futility of futilities, everything is futility! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; all is vanity. Brenton Septuagint Translation Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher; all is vanity. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Remember Your Creator…7before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!” Cross References Ecclesiastes 1:2 “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:11 Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Ecclesiastes 3:19 For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. Ecclesiastes 4:4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. Ecclesiastes 6:12 For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun? Ecclesiastes 7:6 For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile. Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun. Ecclesiastes 11:8 So if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is futile. Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” Treasury of Scripture Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:2,14 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity… Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4:4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Jump to Previous Koheleth Meaningless Preacher Purpose Teacher Vanities Vanity WholeJump to Next Koheleth Meaningless Preacher Purpose Teacher Vanities Vanity WholeEcclesiastes 12 1. the Creator is to be remembered in due time8. The preacher's care to edify 13. the fear of God is the chief antidote for vanity “Futility of futilities,” This phrase echoes the Hebrew expression "hevel hevelim," which is often translated as "vanity of vanities." The term "hevel" can mean breath, vapor, or something transient and insubstantial. It suggests the fleeting and elusive nature of life and human endeavors. This expression is a superlative, emphasizing the utmost degree of futility. The repetition underscores the theme of the book, which is the search for meaning in a world that often seems meaningless. This concept is reminiscent of the transient nature of life as described in James 4:14, where life is compared to a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!” Persons / Places / Events 1. The Teacher (Qoheleth)Traditionally identified as King Solomon, the Teacher is the central figure in Ecclesiastes, sharing wisdom and reflections on the meaning of life. 2. Jerusalem The setting for much of Solomon's life and reign, Jerusalem is the backdrop for the Teacher's observations and teachings. 3. The Assembly The audience to whom the Teacher speaks, representing the people of Israel and, by extension, all readers seeking wisdom. Teaching Points Understanding FutilityThe Hebrew word "hevel" (translated as "futility" or "vanity") suggests a vapor or breath, emphasizing the transient and elusive nature of worldly pursuits. Perspective on Life Recognize that earthly achievements and possessions are temporary and cannot provide ultimate fulfillment or meaning. Eternal Focus Shift focus from temporal to eternal values, seeking purpose and satisfaction in a relationship with God rather than in material success. Wisdom in Priorities Prioritize spiritual growth and obedience to God over the pursuit of wealth, status, or pleasure. Hope in Christ While life may seem futile, believers find hope and purpose in Jesus Christ, who redeems and gives eternal significance to our lives.Verse 8. - It has been much questioned whether this verse is the conclusion of the treatise or the commencement of the epilogue. For the latter conclusion it is contended that it is only natural that the beginning of the final summing-up should start with the same words as the opening of the book (Ecclesiastes 1:2); and that thus the conjunction "and," with which ver. 9 begins, is readily explained. But the treatise is more artistically completed by regarding this solemn utterance as the conclusion of the whole, ending with the same burden with which it began - the nothingness of earthly things. Koheleth has labored to show this, he has pursued the thought from beginning to end, through all circumstances and conditions, and he can only re-echo his melancholy refrain. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher. He does not follow the destiny of the immortal spirit; it is not his purpose to do so; his theme is the fragility of mortal things, their unsatisfying nature, the impossibility of their securing man's happiness: so his voyage lands him at the point whence he set forth, though he has learned and taught faith in the interval. If all is vanity, there is behind and above all a God of inflexible justice, who must do right, and to whom we may safely trust our cares and perplexities. Koheleth," Preacher," here has the article, the Koheleth, as if some special reference was made to the meaning of the name - he who has been debating, or haranguing, or gathering together, utters finally his careful verdict. This is the sentence of the ideal Solomon, who has given his experiences in the preceding pages. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Futilityהֲבֵ֧ל (hă·ḇêl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory of futilities,” הֲבָלִ֛ים (hă·ḇā·lîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory says אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the Teacher. הַקּוֹהֶ֖לֶת (haq·qō·w·he·leṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6953: Preacher -- 'a collector (of sentences)', 'a preacher', a son of David “Everything הַכֹּ֥ל (hak·kōl) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every is futile!” הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory Links Ecclesiastes 12:8 NIVEcclesiastes 12:8 NLT Ecclesiastes 12:8 ESV Ecclesiastes 12:8 NASB Ecclesiastes 12:8 KJV Ecclesiastes 12:8 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 12:8 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 12:8 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 12:8 French Bible Ecclesiastes 12:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 12:8 Vanity of vanities says the Preacher (Ecclesiast. 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