Imagine the surprise on seeing all these other translations!
At issue is the meaning of the Hebrew word “הֶבֶל”
According to Strong’s Concordance
“הֶבֶל hebel, heh’bel; or (rarely in the abs.) הֲבֵל hăbêl; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb:
New International Version
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
New Living Translation
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”
English Standard Version
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Berean Study Bible
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”
New American Standard Bible
“Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher, “Futility of futilities! All is futility.”
Contemporary English Version
Nothing makes sense! Everything is nonsense. I have seen it all–nothing makes sense!
Good News Translation
It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.
Christian Standard Bible
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Absolute futility,” says the Teacher.” Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
GOD’S WORD® Translation
“Absolutely pointless!” says the spokesman. “Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless.”
International Standard Version
“Utterly pointless,” says the Teacher. “Absolutely pointless; everything is pointless.”
NET Bible
“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”
Classic Translations
King James Bible
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
New King James Version
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
American Standard Version
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
Early Modern
Geneva Bible of 1587
Vanitie of vanities, sayth the Preacher: vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.
Bishops’ Bible of 1568
All is but most vayne vanitie saith the preacher, & all is most vayne I say and but playne vanitie.
Coverdale Bible of 1535
All is but vanite (saieth ye preacher) all is but playne vanite.
Translations from Aramaic
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Futility of futilities, says the Preacher; futility of futilities, everything is futility!
Questions:
1. Which word bests fits the meaning intended by the author of Ecclesiastes?
2. What is the meaning of this passage to you?
3. Do you see a connection between the ideas in Ecclesiastes 1:2 and other religions or spiritualities?
Verisimilitude
Article URL : https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/an-apologetic-from-ecclesiastes/