Ecclesiastes 1:6 kjv

The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

Ecclesiastes 1:6 nkjv

The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit.

Ecclesiastes 1:6 niv

The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.

Ecclesiastes 1:6 esv

The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.

Ecclesiastes 1:6 nlt

The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles.

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 6 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1:6 illustrates the ceaseless, repetitive, and ultimately unproductive cycle of the wind, serving as a primary example of the "vanity" or futility that Qoheleth observes "under the sun." The verse describes the wind's predictable circular path, moving from south to north, whirling endlessly, and always returning to its starting point. This constant motion, despite its intensity, never yields true progress or anything genuinely new, symbolizing the limited, cyclical nature of human existence and effort apart from God.

Ecclesiastes 1 6 Context

Ecclesiastes 1:6 is part of the Preacher's opening monologue (Ecc 1:2-11) where he introduces the overarching theme of "vanity of vanities; all is vanity." After stating this foundational premise, Qoheleth immediately presents a series of natural phenomena that demonstrate this point. The previous verse described the tireless, repetitive circuit of the sun (Ecc 1:5), and Ecclesiastes 1:7 continues with the unending flow of rivers back to the sea.

This verse on the wind's continuous, circular motion reinforces the idea that there is nothing truly new or progressive "under the sun"—the sphere of human experience and earthly endeavor. Nature, with its predictable and relentless cycles, serves as a stark metaphor for human life: much effort, much activity, yet no lasting breakthrough, ultimate fulfillment, or escape from repetition on its own terms. This cosmic cycle sets the stage for Qoheleth's extensive search for meaning in wisdom, pleasure, toil, and wealth, only to conclude that they all ultimately share the wind's fruitless, unending motion.

Historically, this worldview reflects a deeply contemplative perspective, possibly emerging from a post-exilic or later period when grand hopes had not materialized, prompting reflection on the limitations of human achievements. It challenges common assumptions of constant progress or lasting significance found solely within the earthly realm.

Ecclesiastes 1 6 Word analysis

• The wind (רוּחַ - ruach): In Hebrew, ruach has a rich semantic range including "breath," "spirit," and "wind." Here, it primarily means atmospheric "wind." Its selection highlights an invisible, powerful, and uncontrollable natural force. Unlike human actions, which are subject to control, the wind moves with its own untamed energy, emphasizing that even nature's powerful movements are part of a predictable, non-progressive cycle.
• goes toward the south (הוֹלֵךְ אֶל-דָּרוֹם - holekh el-darom):
  • holekh: A present participle, emphasizing continuous motion or habitual action. It's not a singular event but an ongoing process.
  • el-darom: "Toward the south." Establishes one direction of its perpetual movement.
• and turns toward the north (וְסוֹבֵב אֶל-צָפוֹן - ve'sovev el-tsafon):
  • ve'sovev: From the root savav, meaning "to go around," "to encircle," "to revolve." Also a present participle, maintaining the sense of continuous, circular motion.
  • el-tsafon: "Toward the north." Completing the initial directional shift, showing the opposite movement.
• it whirls about continually (סוֹבֵב סֹבֵב - sovev sovev):
  • This is a repetition of the verb sovev ("turns," "goes around"). In Hebrew, repeating a verb like this emphatically signifies continuous, intensive, relentless, and dizzying action. It means "circling, circling" or "constantly turning." This highlights the exhaustion and sheer unending nature of the movement, emphasizing futility. It's not just moving, it's relentlessly spiraling.
• and on its circuits (וְעַל סְבִיבֹתָיו - ve'al svivotav):
  • svivotav: From the root savav (same as sovev), but in the plural noun form "circuits," "surroundings," or "revolutions." It means "according to its repeated turnings/revolutions." This noun reinforces the idea of established, pre-determined paths of rotation, solidifying the notion of inescapable cyclical motion.
• the wind returns. (שָׁבָה רוּחַ - shavah ruach):
  • shavah: "It returns," "comes back." This verb emphasizes the completion of a cycle and the re-establishment of the original condition. The movement concludes only to restart from the beginning.
  • The reappearance of ruach (wind) at the end of the phrase frames the entire clause with its subject, making the wind's returning an inescapable, undeniable fact.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The wind goes toward the south and turns toward the north": This sets up the fundamental, visible pattern of the wind's motion. It's directional yet part of a larger, unseen circuit. It describes a restless movement, constantly changing direction, yet within a defined range.
• "it whirls about continually": This phrase intensifies the previous one. It's not merely a straight south-to-north movement, but a vigorous, tireless, dizzying, and seemingly undirected agitation within that cycle. The repetition (sovev sovev) powerfully conveys the idea of never-ending, energy-consuming motion without any ultimate achievement or break from the pattern.
• "and on its circuits the wind returns": This brings the concept to its full conclusion. Despite all the movement and whirling, the end point is simply the beginning again. The "circuits" highlight a fixed, unalterable pattern, indicating a lack of real progress or newness. The wind ends up exactly where it started, illustrating a type of activity that is constant but barren of ultimate fruit or advancement in the "under the sun" perspective.

Ecclesiastes 1 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for wind, ruach, is highly significant beyond its simple meaning as atmospheric current. It is the same word used for "spirit" or "breath" (as in Gen 2:7, God breathing life into Adam; or Ps 104:4, "He makes his messengers winds"). While in Ecclesiastes 1:6 the primary focus is the natural phenomenon, this dual meaning implicitly adds another layer: even the life-giving, dynamic force of "spirit" within nature ultimately operates in these cyclical patterns, suggesting that life itself, viewed "under the sun," eventually succumbs to repetition and returns to dust (Ecc 12:7). This reinforces the ultimate futility of all things if not grounded in something eternal and external to the cycle. The verse points to an innate restlessness and aimlessness in creation itself, mirroring the existential questions that plague humanity apart from divine purpose.

Ecclesiastes 1 6 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:6 is a foundational illustration in Qoheleth's argument about the "vanity" of life lived solely "under the sun." It is not a scientific description of meteorology, but a philosophical observation using a common natural phenomenon. The relentless, powerful, and yet unproductive motion of the wind serves as a vivid metaphor for the endless human strivings, labors, and intellectual pursuits that, from a purely earthly vantage point, seem to amount to nothing truly new or lasting. The Preacher implies a question: what is the ultimate "profit" (benefit, gain) from all this ceaseless activity if it all simply repeats itself?

The choice of ruach (wind) is potent. Wind is mysterious; unseen, unpredictable in specific moment, yet following macro-patterns. Humans cannot harness it permanently or alter its cycle. This parallels how much of life feels beyond human control, subjected to unseen forces and inescapable patterns of repetition, struggle, and eventual decay. Qoheleth’s point is not to deny movement or change but to challenge the notion that such change necessarily leads to meaning or true innovation within the confines of mortal existence.

This verse highlights that creation, in its natural cycles, constantly reiterates the message of its own transient and cyclical nature, hinting that ultimate meaning must lie outside these cycles, with the immutable and unchanging Creator who is not bound "under the sun." The seemingly endless routine of the natural world prepares the reader to appreciate the radical "newness" that God can bring through salvation, a concept foreign to Qoheleth's initial observations.