Is It True that All Is Vanity?
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The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
“‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher; ‘vanity of vanities, all is vanity.’” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 NKJV)
The book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, opens and closes with this verse about vanity. He says, as you can see, that all is vanity. We are going to explore what that means. As you read along, ask yourself this question: is it true that all is vanity?
What Does Vanity Mean?
When most people think about vanity, they usually think about pride, arrogance, or being self-centered. While those definitions are accurate, this is not the focus of the word used here. In this case, the Hebrew word used is “hebel,” which literally means vapor or breath, but it also has different meanings depending on the context. This is how we get from vapor or breath to vanity in this verse. Here is what New American Commentary author Duane Garrett wrote about this word:
“Indeed, the very meaning of this verse is itself a mystery. The word used here, hebel, means “vapor” or “breath” and is used in Isa. 57:13 parallel with “wind” and in Prov. 21:6 for “a fleeting vapor.” The word can thus combine the notions of being insubstantial and transitory, as in Ps. 144:4, “Man is like a breath.” In this sense the English word that best approximates the meaning of this word is “vapid.” The Hebrew word is also used in Zech. 10:2 (“in vain”), which says that idols give vapid comfort; that is, the comfort is empty, fleeting, and therefore a lie.”
He later summed up a definition of this word which I believe captures the meaning of vanity in this context.
“Everything is transitory and therefore of no lasting value. People are caught in the trap of the absurd and pursue empty pleasures. They build their lives on lies.”[1]
As we move forward, this will be our definition of vanity.
Why Would Solomon Say All is Vanity?
Solomon represents an enigma because he was the wisest man in the world and, simultaneously, one of the most foolish men in the world. Understanding his life, you will see how he is qualified to make the statement all is vanity. Let me explain.
The Wisdom of Solomon
In 1 Kings 3, God told Solomon to ask him for anything he wanted. He effectively gave him a blank check and said, “write in any amount you want.” Solomon asked for wisdom.
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)
Solomon recognized the position he was in as king, and he requested wisdom from God so he could govern. God, in turn, honored his request and made him the wisest man who ever lived.
“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” (1 Kings 3:12)
In addition to his wisdom, God gave Solomon wealth and honor unmatched by any king of his time (possibly of all time). People came from all around to hear from him, to partake of his great wisdom. His wisdom helped him understand that all is vanity. He not only had wisdom but wealth and honor, which many people strive for in this life. Do you know people striving to get more wealth, position, recognition, or even fame? Solomon had all of that, yet his wisdom led him to call the pursuit of these things vanity.
The foolishness of Solomon
As wise as Solomon was, there was a foolish side to him: he loved foreign women.
“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, ‘You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.’ Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:1-4)
As wise as Solomon was, he held fast to his love of many foreign women, which means he did not want to let them go. This was to his folly because it turned his heart away from God. As he grew older, he served God with a divided heart, simultaneously trying to serve the false gods and true God. While he started well, he did not finish well, and this foolishness qualified him to make the statement, “all is vanity.”
Is It True All is Vanity?
Let’s return to our definition of this word and see if it is true that all is vanity.
“Everything is transitory and therefore of no lasting value. People are caught in the trap of the absurd and pursue empty pleasures. They build their lives on lies.”
When you look at vanity in this light, then you must agree that it is true all is vanity. Allow me to connect this to a verse in 1 John.
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)
John tells us of the passions the world runs after but that these desires are also short-lived. The problem is not just what the world runs after: it is why they run after those desires. Many people run after pleasure thinking it will bring satisfaction. What they soon discover is the pleasure of the moment is fleeting. It felt good while they were doing it, but after it was over, they were left unfulfilled. For most, the answer is to pursue greater pleasures, but they soon recognize they come to the same conclusion. When this happens, pleasure becomes vanity.
Some people seek satisfaction in acquiring wealth, thinking it will bring happiness. Wealth does not create happiness and fulfillment. Wealth is simply a multiplier. Someone said, “money makes you more of what you already are.” If you were unhappy with no money, you would be even more unhappy if you acquired more money. Imagine the tragedy of those who have acquired great wealth but still find unfulfillment in their lives. This is also vanity.
The same can be said of anything you pursue outside Christ as the source of your fulfillment. You will discover when you go after these things, and when you get them, they leave you no more satisfied than when you started. For this reason, pursuing these things for satisfaction and fulfillment will make the statement “all is vanity” ring true.
The Solution to All is Vanity
In Solomon’s wisdom, he did give an instruction in Ecclesiastes, which will help us overcome the reality that all is vanity.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1)
The key to overcoming vain pursuits is to live life from the inside out, not from the outside in. Let the satisfaction you desire in life come from your pursuit of Christ (that’s the inside), and he will give you the ability to enjoy everything else (that’s the outside). Our world has bought the lie that it works the other way around, which is simply not true. I will leave you with a famous quote:
“A man asked God for all things so he could enjoy life. God said I will give you life so you can enjoy all things.”
When God is your pursuit, you will find satisfaction. When anything else is your primary pursuit, the words of Solomon will ring true in your life. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
[1] Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, vol. 14, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 282–283.
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