Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:9

1:9 {g} The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.(g) He speaks of times and seasons, and things done in them, which as they have been in times past, so come they to pass again. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

THE PROLOGUE (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 ) These verses show the general result of the whole search for good on earth, the record of which is to follow (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 ); a symbolic illustration from nature of the monotony of human existence (Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 ); and a plain statement of the facts in the case (Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 ). THE INTRODUCTION (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 ) These verses describe the seeker (Ecclesiastes 1:12 ); his method of search (Ecclesiastes 1:13 ), and the result in... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Ecclesiastes 1:0 Or, the words of the great Orator, or Convener one who calls an assembly together. This Preacher was the son of David a man, therefore, with a great hereditary claim to attention; probably there will be music in his speech and pathos; he may have succeeded to his father's harp as well as to his father's throne. It is not often in the Bible that we are challenged to hear the words of a great man, viewed from an earthly standpoint. We are called upon to listen to prophets without... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? (4) One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever. (5) The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. (6) 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. (7) All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

9-11 Men's hearts and their corruptions are the same now as in former times; their desires, and pursuits, and complaints, still the same. This should take us from expecting happiness in the creature, and quicken us to seek eternal blessings. How many things and persons in Solomon's day were thought very great, yet there is no remembrance of them now! read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

General Introduction v. 1. The words of the Preacher, in the sense of one who, from the rich stock of his knowledge, gives wise and profitable instruction, the reference being to Solomon, the son of David, king in Jerusalem, the capital of the entire kingdom of Israel and Judah at that time. The fact that Solomon does not mention his given name is easily accounted for by the fact that the entire book breathes the spirit of repentance, together with admonitions and warnings, such as are to be... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

ECCLESIASTES____________TITLE:WORDS OF THE PREACHER, SON OF DAVID, KING IN JERUSALEMFIRST DISCOURSEOf the vanity of the practical and the theoretical wisdom of menEcclesiastes 1:2A. The theoretical wisdom of men, directed to a knowledge of the things of this world, is vanity.2Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Ecclesiastes 1:9

Ecclesiastes THE PAST AND THE FUTURE Ecc_1:9 . - 1Pe_4:2 - 1Pe_4:3 . If you will look at these two passages carefully you will, I think, see that they imply two different, and in some respects contradictory, thoughts about the future in its relation to the past. The first of them is the somewhat exaggerated utterance of a dreary and depressing philosophy, which tells us that, as in the outer world, so in regard to man’s life, there is an enormous activity and no advance, that it is all... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

the Testimony of an Unsatisfied Soul Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 All is vanity ! This cry finds an echo in human hearts of every age and clime. Clod meant man to be happy. “These things,” said our Lord, “I have spoken to you, that your joy may be full.” “The fruit of the Spirit is joy.” Yet the air is laden with complaint and bitterness. Men are asking constantly, “Is life worth living?” The present age is full of unrest and weariness, of war and strife, of unsatisfied yearnings and desires. The... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

The first verse of this chapter introduces us to the author of the Book. Taken in conjunction with verse Ecclesiastes 1:12, it leaves no room for doubt that he is Solomon. In stating his theme he employs phrases which recur through the whole of the Book: "vanity," "what profit?" "under the sun." The statement is a declaration of the emptiness of life when it is wholly conditioned in material things-"under the sun." In this first section we have a still more particular statement in general... read more