Scripture Commentaries

Practical Pointer: What is “vanity”?
Irene Nowell, OSB

Originally published in God’s Word Today
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The Book of Ecclesiastes begins: “Vanity of vanities and all is vanity.” The word “vanity” is repeated thirty-seven times in the book including the repetition of the opening statement at the end: “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all is vanity” (12:8). So what is this “vanity”? The Hebrew word is hebel and its basic meaning is “puff of air” or “breath.” In Psalm 94 we declare: “The Lord does know human plans; they are only puffs of air” (hebel; Ps 94:11). In Psalm 144 the psalmist observes that human beings “are but a breath (hebel); their days are like a passing shadow” (Ps 144:4). The prophets consider idols to be as insubstantial as air (Jer 2:5; 10:3, 15). So the basic sense of the word, here translated “vanity,” is at best something fragile or temporary, something that we cannot hold onto or preserve, and at worst something foolish or stupid.

Qoheleth intensifies this meaning of something flitting away by repeating the word. In Hebrew the repetition of any word—Lord of lords, king of kings, song of songs—is a way of making the term superlative. The greatest lord is the Lord of lords; the most wonderful song is the Song of Songs. The emptiest thing we can imagine is “vanity of vanities.”

What does Qoheleth find to be so futile or ephemeral? First he declares that everything is vanity (1:2, 14). Then he tries pleasure and work and finds both inadequate (2:1, 11). Dying before one has enjoyed the fruits of labor is vanity (2:21); leaving one’s wealth to heirs who may be foolish is vanity too (2:19). Both competition and unceasing work are futile (4:4, 8). Money is worthless (5:10) and injustice is absurd (7:15; 8:10, 14). The refrain echoes again and again: “All is vanity and a chase after wind (1:14; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 16; 6:9). The only advice the sage has is to enjoy whatever gifts God has given us in the present and to leave our future in God’s hands.