Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 KJV,NLT

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Ecclesiastes 1:1. The words of the Preacher Or, discourses. The Hebrew word קהלת , here used, may either signify the person who assembles the people, or the person that addresses them when assembled. “We must not suppose that Solomon was like the common or ordinary preachers among the Hebrews; yet it is certain he spake much in public for the instruction of the people; for there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon: All the earth sought to Solomon to hear his wisdom, which... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Ecclesiastes 1:2. Vanity, &c. Not only vain, but vanity in the abstract, which denotes extreme vanity. Saith the Preacher Upon deep consideration and long experience, and by divine inspiration. This verse contains the general proposition, which he intends particularly to demonstrate in the following book. All All worldly things; is vanity Not in themselves, for they are God’s creatures, and therefore good in their kinds, but in reference to that happiness which men seek and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

1:1-4:16 ACCEPT THE LIFE GOD GIVES AND ENJOY ITIs there a purpose to life? (1:1-11)At times life does not appear to have much meaning. People have to work to keep themselves alive, but in the end they lose everything they have worked for. Generation after generation passes, but the same things still happen (1:1-4). The sun rises and sets, then the next day the cycle is repeated. The wind blows and circles around, coming back to begin its course all over again. Rivers flow unceasingly into the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:1

The words. Rashi says that, when this expression occurs at the beginning of a book, it shows that the book is meant for reproof, and he gives evidence from Deuteronomy 1:1 (Compare Ecc 32:15 ). Amos 1:1 (Compare Ecclesiastes 4:1 ). Jeremiah 1:1 (Compare Ecc 30:6 ). David, 2 Samuel 23:1 (Compare Ecclesiastes 1:6 ). the Preacher. This comes from Luther's version "Prediger"; but "Koheleth" does not include the idea of preaching. Some of its teaching is individual (Ecclesiastes 3:17 ); and... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Vanity of vanities. Figure of speech Polyptoton. Note also the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which Ecclesiastes 1:2 begins and ends with the same word. These Figures are used for the greatest emphasis, and denote utter vanity. all = the whole, or "the sum total". Not everything in the universe, but all the human labours of Ecclesiastes 1:3 , Ecclesiastes 1:8 . vanity. Heb habal, used of that which soon vanishes. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

"The words of the Preacher the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit hath man in all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Ecclesiastes 1:1. The words of the Preacher— Or, orator. Mr. Desvoeux has shewn with great learning, that Solomon in this book appears nearly in the character of an eminent sophist among the Greeks, according to the primitive signification of that word, which implied philosophy and rhetoric joined together. The method of these ancient sages, as far as we can judge of it from what remained among their degenerate successors, was, to treat any subject which was reckoned worthy their learned... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3. Vanity of vanities— Vanity of vanities, according to the Hebrew idiom, signifies, the greatest vanity. The original word הבל hebel, signifies, properly, steam or vapour, and is used to denote any thing which is transient and empty, in apparition to what is solid, substantial, and permanent. These verses contain the first proposition, "That no labour or trouble of men," &c. The proofs of which we here subjoin analytically: Ecclesiastes 1:2-3. I. Proposition. Ecc 1:4 to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

1. the Preacher—and Convener of assemblies for the purpose. See my :-. Koheleth in Hebrew, a symbolical name for Solomon, and of Heavenly Wisdom speaking through and identified with him. Ecclesiastes 1:12 shows that "king of Jerusalem" is in apposition, not with "David," but "Preacher." of Jerusalem—rather, "in Jerusalem," for it was merely his metropolis, not his whole kingdom. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:2

2. The theme proposed of the first part of his discourse. Vanity of vanities—Hebraism for the most utter vanity. So "holy of holies" ( :-); "servant of servants" ( :-). The repetition increases the force. all—Hebrew, "the all"; all without exception, namely, earthly things. vanity—not in themselves, for God maketh nothing in vain (1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 4:5), but vain when put in the place of God and made the end, instead of the means (Psalms 39:5; Psalms 39:6; Psalms 62:9; Matthew 6:33);... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:1

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ecclesiastes 1:2

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:2

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