Ecclesiastes 1:4-11

Ecclesiastes 1:4-11

[4] One generation  passeth away,  and another generation  cometh:  but the earth  abideth  for ever.  [5] The sun  also ariseth,  and the sun  goeth down,  and hasteth  to his place  where he arose.  [6] The wind  goeth  toward the south,  and turneth about  unto the north;  it whirleth about continually,  and the wind  returneth again  according to his circuits.  [7] All the rivers  run  into the sea;  is not full;  unto the place  from whence the rivers  come,  thither they return  [8] All things  are full of labour;  man  cannot  utter  it: the eye  is not satisfied  with seeing,  nor the ear  filled  with hearing.  [9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done  and there is no new  thing under the sun.  [10] Is there  any thing  whereof it may be said,  See,  this is new?  it hath been already  of old time,  which was before  [11] There is no remembrance  of former  things; neither shall there be any remembrance  of things that are to come 

What does Ecclesiastes 1:4-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

To clarify his meaning and to support his contention in Ecclesiastes 1:3, Solomon cited examples from nature. Work produces nothing ultimate or permanently satisfying, only what is ephemeral.