Ecclesiastes 1:14 kjv

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 nkjv

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 niv

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 esv

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 nlt

I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless ? like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 14 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1:14 states a profound conclusion drawn by the Preacher (Qoheleth) after extensive observation of human activities within the earthly realm. He declares that all human endeavors and accomplishments pursued without an eternal, God-centered perspective are ultimately hebel (vapor, futility, meaningless, fleeting) and ra'ut ruach (a striving after wind), signifying that such pursuits are inherently unsubstantial, unfulfilling, and incapable of providing lasting satisfaction or true significance. This verse encapsulates the book's central theme: the transience and ultimate emptiness of life lived "under the sun," divorced from its divine source.

Ecclesiastes 1 14 Context

Ecclesiastes 1:14 comes early in the Preacher’s profound inquiry into the meaning of life. Following the book's introductory verses (Ecc 1:1-3) which already pronounce "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity," Qoheleth sets out to empirically demonstrate this opening assertion. In the preceding verses (Ecc 1:4-11), he illustrates the cyclical, repetitive, and ultimately wearisome nature of natural phenomena and human history, where there is "nothing new under the sun." The direct preceding verse (Ecc 1:13) introduces his method: applying wisdom to understand "everything that is done under heaven" through observation and strenuous intellectual effort. Verse 1:14 is thus the initial, sweeping conclusion derived from this comprehensive examination of worldly activities. It serves as the thesis statement for his detailed experimentation in subsequent chapters (Ecc 2), where he will test this conclusion by engaging in specific pursuits like pleasure, wisdom, building projects, and wealth, only to reaffirm their hebel nature. The historical context positions Qoheleth as a wise, experienced figure, possibly a king (like Solomon traditionally identified), who has the means and leisure to explore the depths of human experience without external constraint. His quest represents a sophisticated philosophical investigation within ancient Israelite wisdom literature, distinct from simple proverbs, delving into the ultimate purpose of existence from a limited, human-centered perspective, before ultimately pointing towards a God-centered view in the book's conclusion.

Ecclesiastes 1 14 Word analysis

• I have seen: (Hebrew: ראיתי - ra'iti, from ראה - ra'ah). Implies direct, personal observation and experiential knowledge. It signifies Qoheleth's extensive survey and investigation of life's activities. This is not mere speculation but a conclusion drawn from thorough engagement and scrutiny.
• everything: (Hebrew: כל - kol). Denotes totality and comprehensiveness. The Preacher claims an exhaustive survey, indicating that his conclusion is not based on partial experience but on a broad scope of human endeavors and existence.
• that is done: (Hebrew: שנעשה - she'na'asah, from עשה - asah). Refers to actions, works, accomplishments, and activities of humankind. This focuses on human effort and achievement.
• under the sun: (Hebrew: תחת השמש - taḥat ha-shemesh). This recurring phrase (used 29 times in Ecclesiastes) is crucial. It signifies the earthly realm, life viewed purely from a human, finite, and materialistic perspective, devoid of divine revelation or an eternal dimension. It denotes limitations of knowledge and existence bound by mortality, without acknowledging God's direct intervention or transcendent purpose. Anything "under the sun" is temporal and subject to decay.
• and behold: (Hebrew: והנה - v'hinneh). An interjection that emphasizes the discovery or draws attention to a striking realization. It introduces a conclusion that Qoheleth deems significant and worthy of urgent consideration.
• all is vanity: (Hebrew: הכל הבל - hakol hebel). This is the book's central declaration.
  • הכל (hakol): "All," reinforcing the totality of the observation.
  • הבל (hebel): This rich and complex word literally means "vapor," "breath," "fume." Its significance extends to concepts like meaninglessness, absurdity, futility, transience, emptiness, fleetingness, and nonsubstantiality. It does not necessarily mean evil, but rather that something lacks intrinsic, lasting value or ultimate purpose from a mortal perspective. It points to life's ephemeral quality, its unpredictable nature, and its failure to provide enduring satisfaction.
• and a striving after wind: (Hebrew: ורעות רוח - u-re'ut ruach or ra'ut ruach). This powerful metaphorical phrase amplifies hebel.
  • רעות (re'ut): Depending on the root, can mean "chasing after," "shepherding," "grasping," "feeding on."
  • רוח (ruach): "Wind," "spirit," "breath."The phrase vividly portrays an impossible, futile endeavor – trying to grasp or contain the wind. It symbolizes effort that yields no tangible result, brings no lasting gain, and leads to ultimate frustration or emptiness. It underscores the lack of fulfillment in purely worldly pursuits.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• I have seen everything that is done under the sun: This phrase highlights Qoheleth's extensive empirical methodology. He wasn't merely theorizing; he engaged with the full spectrum of human activity and ambition. "Under the sun" immediately sets the philosophical boundary of his inquiry: it's about life from an earthly, human-limited perspective, often detached from divine revelation.
• all is vanity and a striving after wind: This declaration presents the Preacher's twofold conclusion. "All is vanity" states the nature of these activities – they are inherently fleeting and lacking ultimate substance. "And a striving after wind" describes the outcome of pursuing them – effort that leads to emptiness and a profound lack of satisfaction or enduring value. The two phrases are synonymous yet complementary, emphasizing the ultimate futility and un-satisfactoriness of a life focused solely on the transient, earthly realm.

Ecclesiastes 1 14 Bonus section

The seemingly pessimistic outlook of Ecclesiastes 1:14 is not the final word of the book, but a necessary diagnostic step in the Preacher's wisdom journey. By thoroughly examining the emptiness of "under the sun" pursuits, Qoheleth strategically dismantles human idols and false sources of meaning. This intense focus on futility serves as a polemic against common human tendencies: the belief that one can find ultimate happiness in wealth, power, pleasure, or knowledge itself. It exposes the inherent limitations of human effort and wisdom when divorced from a divine perspective. The profound repetition of "hebel" across the book, particularly this verse, is a literary device that deeply embeds this concept into the reader's mind, preparing them for the ultimate resolution that only in fearing God and keeping His commandments can true and lasting meaning be found. The uniqueness of Qoheleth's wisdom is that it doesn't offer easy answers but forces a confrontation with life's stark realities, driving the reader beyond superficiality towards a transcendent anchor.

Ecclesiastes 1 14 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:14 encapsulates Qoheleth's initial, pervasive sense of earthly futility. It is the fundamental conclusion he reaches after applying wisdom to observe and scrutinize all human activity. His comprehensive investigation reveals that despite intense effort and grand accomplishments, nothing "under the sun"—meaning within the realm of human existence disconnected from the divine—yields lasting meaning or satisfaction. The recurring "hebel" theme emphasizes life's insubstantial, ephemeral quality, like a vapor that quickly dissipates. This is amplified by the metaphor of "striving after wind," which conveys the frustration and fruitlessness of attempting to grasp something intangible and uncontainable. This verse is not nihilistic in the sense of denying existence, but rather questions the inherent worth of pursuits if they lead to an ultimately unfulfilled and transitory outcome. The Preacher's stark declaration serves to strip away human illusions of self-sufficiency and lasting worldly gain, setting the stage for a search for true, transcendent meaning that will ultimately be found only in relation to God (Ecc 12:13-14). It challenges humanity's innate tendency to seek ultimate purpose in finite things, whether wealth, knowledge, power, or pleasure, all of which Qoheleth found to be "hebel."

• Practical Usage Example:
  • A successful business person who has accumulated great wealth but feels an inner emptiness, realizing that material possessions haven't brought ultimate joy or meaning.
  • An academic who tirelessly pursues knowledge and accolades but still finds a lack of ultimate purpose in intellectual achievements alone.