Ecclesiastes 1:11 kjv

There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 nkjv

There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 niv

No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 esv

There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

Ecclesiastes 1:11 nlt

We don't remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 11 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1:11 proclaims that there is an inherent human forgetfulness regarding the past, and likewise, future generations will not remember what precedes them. It speaks to the impermanence of human achievements, experiences, and legacies when viewed purely from a temporal, "under the sun" perspective, highlighting the transient nature of renown and the collective memory's short span.

Ecclesiastes 1 11 Context

Ecclesiastes 1:11 stands within the prologue (Eccl 1:1-11) of the book of Ecclesiastes, where Qoheleth, "the Preacher," introduces his central theme of vanity and futility ("hevel") regarding all human endeavors "under the sun." After declaring "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity" (Eccl 1:2), he supports this assertion by observing the repetitive cycles of nature (sun rising/setting, wind circulating, rivers flowing without filling the sea, Eccl 1:5-7) and the inability of the human eye and ear to be satisfied (Eccl 1:8). This sets the stage for the crucial observation in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 that "what has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." Verse 11 naturally follows this by stating the consequence of such endless cycles and lack of novelty: people and their accomplishments are soon forgotten. This worldview directly challenges common ancient Near Eastern beliefs that sought immortality and enduring fame through grand monuments, genealogies, or dynastic continuity.

Ecclesiastes 1 11 Word analysis

• There is no remembrance:
  • Hebrew: אֵין זִכְרוֹן (ein zikron). Ein means "there is no," "not existing," conveying a stark negation. Zikron (remembrance/memory) refers to a state of being remembered, either by others or within a collective consciousness.
  • Significance: This opening phrase sets the tone of utter negation regarding human efforts to attain lasting memory. It directly challenges the inherent human desire to be remembered and to leave a permanent mark.
• of former things:
  • Hebrew: לָרִאשֹׁנִים (la'rishonim). Derived from rishon (first, former). Here, it denotes things, events, or people that existed or occurred in the past.
  • Significance: It implies that despite their importance at the time, even significant past events fade from collective memory. History, as recorded and remembered by humans, is perpetually incomplete and easily forgotten.
• nor shall there be any remembrance:
  • Hebrew: וְגַם לָאַחֲרֹנִים לֹא יִהְיֶה לָהֶם זִכְרוֹן (v'gam la'acharonim lo yihyeh lahem zikron). This is a parallel negative statement, mirroring the first part of the verse.
  • Significance: The Preacher extends his observation to the future, asserting that the fate of current and future achievements will be the same as the past – oblivion. It underscores the pervasive and inescapable nature of this forgetfulness within the temporal sphere.
• of things that are to come:
  • Hebrew: לָאַחֲרֹנִים (la'acharonim). This is the same root as acharon (last, latter, subsequent). Here, it means future things or people.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the unending cycle; no new future events will break this pattern of eventual historical oblivion.
• by those who will come after:
  • Hebrew: עִם שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לָאַחֲרוֹנָה (im she'yihyu la'acharona). Im means "with" or "among," she'yihyu means "that will be," and la'acharona implies "ultimately" or "at last," here referring to the subsequent generations.
  • Significance: Pinpoints the agents of forgetfulness: the succeeding generations themselves. It suggests that even the people who benefit from or are influenced by the preceding generation will eventually lose the memory of those who came before them, contributing to the ultimate vanity of all human efforts to secure lasting renown.

Words-group Analysis:

• "no remembrance of former things": This phrase encapsulates humanity's struggle with collective historical amnesia. Despite vast human achievements, cultural memory is shallow and often transient. This is a foundational pessimistic observation for Koheleth.
• "nor shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after": This extends the principle into perpetuity. It implies that human efforts to build legacies, monuments, or lasting philosophies are ultimately self-defeating in the face of inevitable generational forgetfulness. Even the wisest person writing an impactful book about wisdom will ultimately pass into the collective human unconscious. This statement serves to crush the common human drive for fame and enduring influence from an "under the sun" viewpoint.

Ecclesiastes 1 11 Bonus section

The profound irony of Ecclesiastes 1:11 is that Qoheleth writes a book precisely to be remembered, detailing his observations on the fleeting nature of remembrance itself. This paradox highlights his very point: even wisdom, his primary pursuit and output, is subject to the same eventual forgetfulness from a human vantage point. However, this verse is specifically from the "under the sun" perspective, limiting its scope to earthly observations and human memory. It stands in direct contrast to God's own perfect and eternal remembrance (Mal 3:16, Ps 139:2-4), or His divine decision to not remember former things in the context of new creation (Is 65:17). This distinction subtly guides the reader from the limited, despairing "under the sun" perspective towards a potential answer found in God's eternal nature. The verse is therefore foundational to understanding Koheleth's existential journey towards finding meaning beyond temporal futility.

Ecclesiastes 1 11 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:11 acts as a stark conclusion to Qoheleth's initial observations about the unchanging cycles of life "under the sun." Having noted the ceaseless, unproductive repetitions of nature and human activities (Eccl 1:4-9), and declared that "there is nothing new," the Preacher concludes that the inevitable consequence is forgetfulness. Neither past events nor future deeds will remain in the collective memory of humanity. This is not merely an observation of history but a deeply philosophical point about the ultimate futility of striving for lasting renown, impact, or significance from a purely human perspective. Every invention, philosophy, kingdom, or grand personal accomplishment, no matter how profound in its own time, will eventually be relegated to the realm of the forgotten. It challenges humanity's ingrained desire for immortality through legacy, arguing that even successful attempts at achieving a lasting name will fade from memory as new generations arise with new concerns.

This verse helps to establish the "problem" or "diagnosis" of the book: human life, viewed from an earthly lens, lacks inherent meaning or lasting impact because everything, including memory itself, is subject to the passage of time and inevitable oblivion. This pessimistic assessment sets the stage for the search for what truly endures, a search that eventually points towards God in the later parts of the book (Eccl 12:13-14).

• Example: A once famous athlete whose records are broken and forgotten, or an ancient empire whose vast influence eventually collapses, leaving only fragmented ruins whose history must be actively studied to be recalled.