Ecclesiastes 1:9
Ecclesiastes 1:9 in Multiple Translations
What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
That which has been, is that which is to be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.
Everything that was will continue to be; everything that has been done will be done again. Nothing new ever happens here.
What is it that hath bene? that that shalbe: and what is it that hath bene done? that which shalbe done: and there is no newe thing vnder the sunne.
What [is] that which hath been? it [is] that which is, and what [is] that which hath been done? it [is] that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun.
That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
What is it that hath been? the same thing that shall be. What is it that hath been done? the same that shall be done.
Everything continues to be the same as it has always been; things that happen have happened previously, and they will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing really new in this world [MTY].
Berean Amplified Bible — Ecclesiastes 1:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַה
שֶּֽׁ/הָיָה֙
ה֣וּא
שֶׁ/יִּהְיֶ֔ה
וּ/מַה
שֶׁ/נַּֽעֲשָׂ֔ה
ה֖וּא
שֶׁ/יֵּעָשֶׂ֑ה
וְ/אֵ֥ין
כָּל
חָדָ֖שׁ
תַּ֥חַת
הַ/שָּֽׁמֶשׁ
מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
שֶּֽׁ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Rel | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
שֶׁ/יִּהְיֶ֔ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Rel | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וּ/מַה
mâh
H4100
what?
Conj | Part
שֶׁ/נַּֽעֲשָׂ֔ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Rel | V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
שֶׁ/יֵּעָשֶׂ֑ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Rel | V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חָדָ֖שׁ
châdâsh
H2319
new
Adj
תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
הַ/שָּֽׁמֶשׁ
shemesh
H8121
sun
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Ecclesiastes 1:9
מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
שֶּֽׁ/הָיָה֙
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Rel | V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
שֶׁ/יִּהְיֶ֔ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Rel | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
וּ/מַה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
שֶׁ/נַּֽעֲשָׂ֔ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Rel | V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
ה֖וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
שֶׁ/יֵּעָשֶׂ֑ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Rel | V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
וְ/אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חָדָ֖שׁ
châdâsh
H2319
"new"
Adj
The Hebrew word for new or fresh, used to describe something recently created or renewed, as seen in God's creation of a new heaven and earth. It emphasizes the idea of something being recent or modern.
Definition: new, new thing, fresh Aramaic equivalent: cha.dat (חֲדַ֑ת "new" H2323)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: fresh, new thing. See also: Exodus 1:8; Psalms 40:4; Psalms 33:3.
תַּ֥חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
הַ/שָּֽׁמֶשׁ
shemesh
H8121
"sun"
Art | N-cs
The sun, or shemesh, represents not just the celestial body, but also east or west direction, and even objects that shine like battlements. It is often used to describe the rising or setting of the sun.
Definition: 1) sun 1a) sun 1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction) 1c) sun (as object of illicit worship) 1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases) 1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also H1053 (בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ). See also: Genesis 15:12; Psalms 104:19; Psalms 19:5.
Study Notes — Ecclesiastes 1:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Ecclesiastes 1:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
- Sermons on Ecclesiastes 1:9
Context — Everything Is Futile
7All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place from which the streams come, there again they flow.
8All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.
9What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10Is there a case where one can say, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us. 11There is no remembrance of those who came before, and those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow after.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 3:15 | What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 6:10 | Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 2:12 | Then I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what more can the king’s successor do than what has already been accomplished? |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 7:10 | Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this. |
| 5 | Revelation 21:1 | Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 31:22 | How long will you wander, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing in the land— a woman will shelter a man.” |
| 7 | Isaiah 43:19 | Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert. |
| 8 | 2 Peter 2:1 | Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. |
| 9 | Revelation 21:5 | And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.” |
Ecclesiastes 1:9 Summary
[This verse, Ecclesiastes 1:9, tells us that everything that happens has already happened before, and what we see as new is actually just a repeat of the past, as God reminds us in Isaiah 46:10 that His plans will stand. It's saying that, no matter how much things seem to change, people and the world remain the same at their core, a truth that can be seen in the way that human nature is described in Romans 1:19-20. This doesn't mean we can't make progress or have new experiences, but rather that, at the end of the day, our deepest longings and the questions we ask about life are the same ones that people have always asked, a theme echoed in Psalm 42:1-2 where the Psalmist seeks fulfillment in God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that 'what has been will be again'?
This phrase, found in Ecclesiastes 1:9, suggests that history repeats itself and that there is a cyclical nature to life, as also seen in Isaiah 46:10 where God declares that His plans will stand and nothing new will happen outside of His sovereignty.
Is the idea that 'there is nothing new under the sun' a pessimistic view of life?
While it may seem pessimistic at first glance, this statement is actually a realistic observation about the nature of human experience, reminding us to seek fulfillment and meaning in God, as encouraged in Psalm 42:1-2, rather than in the fleeting things of this world.
How does this verse relate to the idea of progress and innovation?
Ecclesiastes 1:9 is not denying the existence of progress or innovation, but rather highlighting that, despite these advancements, human nature and the fundamental questions of life remain the same, as seen in Romans 1:19-20 where it is noted that people have always had a sense of God's existence.
What is the significance of the phrase 'under the sun' in this context?
The phrase 'under the sun' is a metaphor for life on earth, and the statement that 'there is nothing new under the sun' emphasizes that, from a human perspective, history and experiences are bound to repeat themselves, a theme also explored in Ecclesiastes 3:15.
Reflection Questions
- How does the realization that 'what has been will be again' affect your perspective on current events and the challenges you are facing?
- In what ways have you seen the cycle of history repeat itself in your own life or in the world around you?
- What are some things that you once thought were new or innovative, only to discover that they had existed before, and how did this realization impact you?
- How can remembering that 'there is nothing new under the sun' help you to focus on what is truly important and lasting in life?
Gill's Exposition on Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be,.... The thing that has been seen and heard is no other than what shall be seen and heard again; so that what is now seen and heard is only what
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Ecclesiastes 1:9
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. That which is done - accomplished.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
There is nothing in the world but a continued and tiresome repetition of the same things. The nature and course of the beings and affairs of the world, and the tempers of men’ s minds, are generally the same that they ever were and shall ever be; and therefore because no man ever yet received satisfaction from any worldly things, it is a vain and foolish thing for any person hereafter to expect it. No new thing, to wit, in the nature of things, which might give us hopes of attaining that satisfaction which things have not hitherto afforded. For otherwise this doth not restrain the God of nature, who hath frequently done, and still can do, new and miraculous works, and who can and doth discover to particular persons new inventions, when it pleaseth him.
Trapp's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
Ecclesiastes 1:9 The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.Ver. 9. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be.] History, therefore, must needs be of noble and necessary use; because, by setting before us what hath been, it predicts what will be again, since the self same fable is acted over again in the world, the persons only are altered that act it. Plato will therefore have history to have its name, παρατοοστανατονρουν of stopping the flux of endless errors and restless uncertainties. His conceit of a general revolution of all things, after thirty thousand years expired, is worthily exploded and learnedly confuted by Augustine (De Civ. Dei, lib. xii. cap. 13), but in no wise confirmed by this text, as some would have it, and Origen among the rest. Plato might haply hint at the general resurrection, called the "regeneration," by our Saviour. Plato in Cratylo. Macrob., Joseph., Plin.
Ellicott's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
(9) No new thing.—Contrast Jeremiah 31:22; Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 65:17. Justin Martyr (Apol. i. 57) has what looks like a reminiscence of this verse; but we cannot rely on it to prove his acquaintance with the book, the same idea being found in Grecian philosophy.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
Verse 9. The thing that hath been] Every thing in the whole economy of nature has its revolutions; summer and winter, heat and cold, rain and drought, seedtime and autumn, with the whole system of corruption and generation, alternately succeed each other, so that whatever has been shall be again. There is really, physically, and philosophically, nothing absolutely new under the sun, in the course of sublunary things. The same is the case in all the revolutions of the heavens.
Cambridge Bible on Ecclesiastes 1:9
9. The thing that hath been] What has been affirmed of natural phenomena is now repeated of the events of human life. The writer reproduces or anticipates the Stoic doctrine of a recurring cycle of events which we find reproduced in Virgil: “Magnus ab integro sæclorum nascitur ordo.Alter erit tum Tiphys, et altera quæ vehat ArgoDelectos heroas; erunt etiam altera bella,Atque iterum ad Troiam magnus mittetur Achilles.”“Lo! the great cycle runs its course anew:A second Tiphys springs to life, and steersA second Argo with its warrior freightOf chosen heroes, and new wars arise,And once again Achilles sails for Troy.”Virg. Ecl. iv. 5, 34–36.
Barnes' Notes on Ecclesiastes 1:9
Hath been ... is done - i. e., Hath happened in the course of nature ... is done by man.
Whedon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 1:9
9. The theme is still of the processes of nature. Shall be — “Shall be done.” The Hebrew, employing here its continuous tense, is, “continues to be,” “continues to be done.” The same sun and wind and
Sermons on Ecclesiastes 1:9
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The Early and Latter Rain by B.H. Clendennen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of discernment and not being deceived by glamorous image advertising. He believes that we are living in a time where image ad |
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The History of Free Masonry - Part 1 by John Daniel | In this sermon, Dr. Stan discusses the battle for the survival of Western civilization and emphasizes the importance of reality over illusion or delusion. He introduces his guest, |
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What Is Your Life - Part 3 by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon delves into the themes of materialism, the inevitability of progress, and the sufficiency of man, reflecting on historical events like World War I and II, the devastati |
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Prayer and Revival by Evan Schaible | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of separating ourselves from the noise and distractions of the world in order to truly know God. He uses the example of Jesus, |
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Revival - Urbana Conference 1961 by Festo Kivengere | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being practical and simple in our faith, as that is what God desires. He uses the story of Jacob to illustrate this point, |
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Whatever It Takes by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his personal journey from the business world to the ministry and the battle he faced in accepting God's calling. He emphasizes that our ways |
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Humanism-the Fifth Woe by Martyn-Lloyd Jones | Martyn-Lloyd Jones addresses the concept of humanism as the fifth woe pronounced by Isaiah, emphasizing that the Bible remains relevant and contemporary, revealing the timeless nat |