Ecclesiastes 1:2

2 aVanity
The Hebrew term hebel, translated vanity or vain, refers concretely to a “mist,” “vapor,” or “mere breath,” and metaphorically to something that is fleeting or elusive (with different nuances depending on the context). It appears five times in this verse and in 29 other verses in Ecclesiastes
of vanities, says cthe Preacher,
dvanity of vanities! eAll is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

14I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is fvanity
The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
and a striving after wind.
Or  a feeding on wind; compare Hosea 12:1 (also in Ecclesiastes 1:17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 16; 6:9)


Ecclesiastes 2:11

11Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was ivanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing jto be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

22What has a man from kall the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23For lall his days are full of sorrow, and his mwork is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

4Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is nvanity
The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 7, 8, 16 (see note on 1:2)
and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:2

2a man pto whom qGod gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he rlacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God sdoes not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;
The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2)
it is a grievous evil.
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