The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
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"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity."
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What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun?
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A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever.
Ecclesiastes 1:1 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 1:1 say?
Ecclesiastes 1:1 in the NASB reads: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 1:1 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 1:1 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 1, verse 1.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 1:1.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 1:1 in?
Ecclesiastes 1:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 1:1?
Ecclesiastes 1:1 reads (NASB): “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.