Ecclesiastes 1:14
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
American King James Version (AKJV)
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version (ASV)
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.
Webster's Revision
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
English Revised Version (ERV)
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Clarke's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary
Behold, all is vanity - After all these discussions and experiments, when even the results have been the most successful, I have found only rational satisfaction; but not that supreme good by which alone the soul can be made happy.
O curas hominum! O quantum est in rebus inane!
"How anxious are our cares, and yet how vain
The bent of our desires!"
Pers. Sat. i., 5: 1.
Barnes's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary
Vexation of spirit - A phrase which occurs 7 times, and may be otherwise translated, "feeding on wind." Modern Hebrew grammarians assert that the word rendered "vexation" must be derived from a root signifying "to feed," "follow," "strive after." This being admitted, it remains to choose between two translations:
(1) "striving after wind," or "windy effort;" adopted by the Septuagint and the majority of modern interpreters; or
(2) feeding on wind. Compare Hosea 12:1 : and similar phrases in Proverbs 15:14; Isaiah 44:20; Psalm 37:3.
Wesley's Ecclesiastes 1:14 Bible Commentary
1:14 Seen - Diligently observed. Vanity - Not only unsatisfying, but also an affliction or breaking to a man's spirit.
