Bible Chapter Summary
Ecclesiastes 1 Summary
Vanity of All Human Endeavor
The Preacher declares that all is vanity, questioning what profit a man gains from his labor under the sun. All things are full of labor and continuous motion—the sun rises and sets, wind circles endlessly, rivers flow ceaselessly into the sea—yet nothing is new or satisfying. After establishing his great wisdom and accomplishments as king over Israel, the Preacher concludes that much wisdom brings much grief, and increased knowledge only increases sorrow.
Key themes
Key verses
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 1:3
“What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?”
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 1:18
“For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
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