Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. New Living Translation Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. English Standard Version There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. Berean Standard Bible There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. King James Bible There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. New King James Version There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind. New American Standard Bible There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them. Even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him; for this too is futility and striving after wind. NASB 1995 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. NASB 1977 There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. Legacy Standard Bible There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be glad with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. Amplified Bible There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind. Christian Standard Bible There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Holman Christian Standard Bible There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. American Standard Version There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. Contemporary English Version His followers could not even be counted. But years from now, no one will praise him--this makes no more sense than chasing the wind. English Revised Version There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. GOD'S WORD® Translation There was no end to all those people, everyone whom he led.?kings[."> But those who will come later will not be happy with the successor. Even this is pointless.]It's like[ trying to catch the wind.] Good News Translation There may be no limit to the number of people a king rules; when he is gone, no one will be grateful for what he has done. It is useless. It is like chasing the wind. International Standard Version There was no end to all of his subjects or to all of the people who had come before them. But those who come along afterward will not be happy with him. This is also pointless and a chasing after wind. Majority Standard Bible There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. NET Bible There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind. New Heart English Bible There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was--yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. Webster's Bible Translation There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. World English Bible There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthere is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter do not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and distress of spirit. Young's Literal Translation there is no end to all the people, to all who were before them; also, the latter rejoice not in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Smith's Literal Translation No end to all the people, to all which were before them: also the last ones shall not rejoice in him. For also this is vanity and striving of the spirit. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit. Catholic Public Domain Version The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit. New American Bible There is no end to all this people, to all who were before them; yet the later generations will not have joy in him. This also is vanity and a chase after wind. New Revised Standard Version there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThere is no end of all the people, even of all who have been before them; and those also who come after shall not rejoice in them. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And there is no end to all the people, all who have been before him, neither will the latter ones rejoice in him, because even this is futility and agitation of spirit OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. Brenton Septuagint Translation There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Power…15I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed this second one, the youth who succeeded the king. 16There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Cross References 1 Kings 1:5-6 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) 1 Kings 12:1-20 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ... 2 Samuel 15:6 Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 18:18 During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument. 1 Samuel 8:5-7 “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. / And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. 1 Samuel 10:24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” 1 Samuel 18:7-9 And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” / And Saul was furious and resented this song. “They have ascribed tens of thousands to David,” he said, “but only thousands to me. What more can he have but the kingdom?” / And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David. 2 Chronicles 10:1-19 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. / When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he returned from Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. / So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said, ... Daniel 2:21 He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Matthew 21:9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 27:22-23 “What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify Him!” / “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” Mark 11:9-10 The ones who went ahead and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” / “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest!” Luke 19:38 “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!” Treasury of Scripture There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit. no end 2 Samuel 15:12,13 And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counseller, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom… 1 Kings 1:5-7,40 Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him… 1 Kings 12:10-16 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins… they also Judges 9:19,20 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: … 2 Samuel 18:7,8 Where the people of Israel were slain before the servants of David, and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand men… 2 Samuel 19:9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. this Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 2:11,17,26 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun… Jump to Previous Chasing Delight Desire End Happy Head However Lead Ones Pleased Purpose Rejoice Spirit Stood Striving Successor Surely Vanity Vexation WindJump to Next Chasing Delight Desire End Happy Head However Lead Ones Pleased Purpose Rejoice Spirit Stood Striving Successor Surely Vanity Vexation WindEcclesiastes 4 1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression4. by envy 5. by idleness 7. by covetousness 9. by solitariness 13. by willfulness There is no limit to all the people who were before them. This phrase reflects the vastness of human history and the countless generations that have come and gone. In biblical context, it echoes the genealogies found in Genesis and Chronicles, emphasizing the continuity of human existence. The phrase suggests the insignificance of individual achievements in the grand scope of time. Historically, this can be seen in the rise and fall of empires and leaders, such as the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, which were once powerful but are now only memories. Theologically, it underscores the transient nature of earthly life compared to the eternal nature of God, as seen in Psalm 90:2, which speaks of God's everlasting presence. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Preacher (Qoheleth)Traditionally identified as Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel, who is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. He reflects on the meaning and purpose of life. 2. The People Refers to the multitude of people who have lived before and those who will come after. It highlights the transient nature of human life and leadership. 3. The Successor Implied in the text as the one who comes after a leader, yet is not celebrated by future generations, emphasizing the fleeting nature of fame and recognition. Teaching Points The Transience of Human AccomplishmentsHuman achievements, no matter how grand, are temporary. We should focus on what has eternal value rather than seeking earthly recognition. The Futility of Seeking Human Approval Seeking approval from others is ultimately unfulfilling. Our primary aim should be to please God, whose approval is eternal. The Importance of Legacy Consider the legacy you are leaving. While human memory is short, a life lived for God has lasting impact beyond earthly recognition. Contentment in God’s Sovereignty Recognize that God is in control of the past, present, and future. Find contentment in His plan rather than striving for human accolades.Verse 16. - There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them. The paragraph plainly is carrying on the description of the popular enthusiasm for the new favorite. The Authorized Version completely obscures this meaning. It is better to translate, Numberless were the people, all, at whose head he stood. Koheleth places himself in the position of a spectator, and marks how numerous are the adherents who flock around the youthful aspirant. "Nullus finis omni populo, omnibus, quibus praefuit" (Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Volck). Yet his popularity was not lasting and his influence was not permanent. They also that come after shall not rejoice in him. In spite of his cleverness, and notwithstanding the favor with which he is now regarded, those of a later generation shall flout his pretensions and forget his benefits. If we still continue the allusion to Joseph, we may see here in this last clause a reference to the change that supervened when another king arose who knew him not (Exodus 1:8), and who, oblivious of the services of this great benefactor, heavily oppressed the Israelites. This experience leads to the same result; it is all vanity and vexation of spirit.
Hebrew There is noאֵֽין־ (’ên-) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle limit קֵ֣ץ (qêṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7093: An extremity, after to all לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the people הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that were הָיָה֙ (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be before them, לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם (lip̄·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face yet גַּ֥ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and those who come later הָאַחֲרוֹנִ֖ים (hā·’a·ḥă·rō·w·nîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 314: Hinder, late, last, western will not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no rejoice יִשְׂמְחוּ־ (yiś·mə·ḥū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome in [the successor]. ב֑וֹ (ḇōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew This זֶ֥ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that too כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction is futile הֶ֖בֶל (he·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory and a pursuit וְרַעְי֥וֹן (wə·ra‘·yō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7475: Longing, striving of the wind. רֽוּחַ׃ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit Links Ecclesiastes 4:16 NIVEcclesiastes 4:16 NLT Ecclesiastes 4:16 ESV Ecclesiastes 4:16 NASB Ecclesiastes 4:16 KJV Ecclesiastes 4:16 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 4:16 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 4:16 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 4:16 French Bible Ecclesiastes 4:16 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:16 There was no end of all (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |
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