Observations under the sun reveal the “Meaninglessness” of life

 

The Teacher is quick to introduce the word “Hebel” (Meaningless in the NIV) to us. This word literally means the blowing of the wind or a mere breath. The word is used in Ecclesiastes to show how transient, fleeting and meaningless life without God is.

Some of the 36 references are shown below.

·         Ecc 1:2       Everything

·         Ecc 1:14     All things

·         Ecc 2:1       Pleasure

·         Ecc 2:11     Toil

·         Ecc 2:15     Wisdom

·         Ecc 2:17     Work

·         Ecc 2:21     Work

·         Ecc 2:23     Work

·         Ecc 3:19     Life, since man has no advantage over the animals, both will die

·         Ecc 4:4       Labour and achievements

·         Ecc 5:7       Dreaming and speaking

·         Ecc 5:10     Money

·         Ecc 6:2       Wealth, possessions  and honour

·         Ecc 7:6       The laughter of fools

·         Ecc 7:15     Seeing the righteous die young and the wicked living long

·         Ecc 8:14     When the righteous get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked get what the righteous deserve

·         Ecc 9:9       Life

·         Ecc 11:8     Everything to come

·         Ecc 11:10   Youth and vigour

·         Ecc 12:8     Everything