The sun risesThis phrase reflects the natural order established by God in creation, as seen in
Genesis 1:14-19, where God created the sun to govern the day. The rising of the sun is a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and the consistency of His creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sun was often associated with deities, but in the biblical worldview, it is a created entity serving God's purposes. The regularity of the sunrise symbolizes the reliability of God's promises, as seen in
Lamentations 3:22-23, where His mercies are described as new every morning.
and the sun sets;
The setting of the sun marks the end of the day, a cycle that has continued since creation. This cycle is a metaphor for the transient nature of human life and endeavors, a central theme in Ecclesiastes. The setting sun also signifies rest and the completion of daily labor, echoing the biblical principle of Sabbath rest found inGenesis 2:2-3. In a broader theological sense, the setting sun can symbolize the end of an era or the closing of a chapter in God's redemptive history, as seen in the prophetic literature where the "day of the Lord" is often depicted with cosmic disturbances (e.g.,Joel 2:31).
it hurries back to where it rises.
This phrase captures the cyclical nature of the sun's journey, emphasizing the repetitive and seemingly monotonous patterns of life under the sun. The Hebrew word for "hurries" suggests a sense of urgency or weariness, reflecting the futility and toil experienced in a fallen world. This cycle can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition post-Fall, where labor and toil are part of the curse (Genesis 3:17-19). Theologically, this cycle points to the need for redemption and the hope of a new creation where such futility is overcome, as promised inRevelation 21:1-5. The sun's return to its starting point can also be seen as a type of Christ, who, after completing His work on earth, returned to the Father, yet promises to return again (Acts 1:11).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the pursuit of meaning.
2.
Jerusalem- The city where Solomon reigned as king and where he likely composed Ecclesiastes. It serves as the backdrop for his reflections on life and wisdom.
3.
The Sun- A central element in this verse, symbolizing the repetitive and predictable patterns of nature and life.
Teaching Points
The Cyclical Nature of LifeLife often feels repetitive, much like the sun's daily journey. Recognizing this can help us find stability and predictability in God's creation.
God's Sovereignty Over CreationThe sun's consistent pattern reflects God's control and order in the universe. Trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace amidst life's uncertainties.
The Search for MeaningSolomon's observation of the sun's routine invites us to consider where we find meaning. True fulfillment is found not in the cycles of life but in a relationship with God.
The Importance of PerspectiveUnderstanding the repetitive nature of life can encourage us to focus on eternal values rather than temporary pursuits.
Living with PurposeWhile life may seem monotonous, we are called to live purposefully, using each day to glorify God and serve others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Ecclesiastes 1:5?
2.How does Ecclesiastes 1:5 illustrate the consistency of God's creation?
3.What spiritual lessons can we learn from the sun's daily cycle?
4.How does Ecclesiastes 1:5 connect with God's faithfulness in Lamentations 3:22-23?
5.In what ways can we apply the sun's constancy to our faithfulness?
6.How does the sun's routine reflect God's order in the universe?
7.How does Ecclesiastes 1:5 align with modern scientific understanding of the sun's movement?
8.What is the theological significance of the sun's repetitive cycle in Ecclesiastes 1:5?
9.Does Ecclesiastes 1:5 suggest a literal or metaphorical interpretation of the sun's path?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1?
11.Ecclesiastes 1:5 – The verse suggests a geocentric view of the sun moving around the earth; does this contradict modern astronomy?
12.Is geocentrism supported by biblical scripture?
13.Ecclesiastes 1:9 – In light of countless historical inventions and discoveries, how can the claim “there is nothing new under the sun” be taken literally?
14.(Psalm 113:3) How do we reconcile the language of “from the rising of the sun” with modern astronomy’s heliocentric understanding of our solar system?What Does Ecclesiastes 1:5 Mean
The sun rises“The sun rises” (Ecclesiastes 1:5a) paints the picture of a brand-new dawn God faithfully sends every single day.
•Genesis 1:16–18 shows the Lord creating the sun as a “great light” to govern day, highlighting that its appearance is no accident but divine design.
•Psalm 19:4-6 likens the sun to “a bridegroom emerging from his chamber,” stressing both its splendor and its regularity.
•Malachi 4:2 promises that “the sun of righteousness will rise,” reminding us that each sunrise whispers hope and points to Christ.
Solomon begins with what is certain: God’s ordered creation keeps moving at His command, testifying to His reliability even while human efforts can feel uncertain.
and the sun sets“and the sun sets” (Ecclesiastes 1:5b) completes the daily arc, underlining life’s brevity.
•Psalm 104:19 notes, “the sun knows when to set,” confirming God’s precise timing.
•Joshua 10:13 records a day when the sun miraculously delayed its setting, proving the Lord can suspend even the most dependable routine.
•Mark 1:32 describes ministry beginning “after sunset,” showing how the setting sun partitions time and opportunity.
Every sunset silently calls us to number our days, remember that earthly activity has limits, and trust the One who stands outside those limits.
it hurries back“it hurries back” (Ecclesiastes 1:5c) conveys motion and urgency; the sun never drifts lazily but races on schedule.
•Psalm 19:5 pictures it “like a champion rejoicing to run his course,” capturing the vigorous, unstoppable rhythm God set in motion.
•Job 9:7 notes the Lord can halt that race, again underscoring His sovereign rule.
•Amos 5:8 celebrates the God “who turns dawn to darkness,” reminding us that the relentless circuit is not random but governed by Him.
Solomon’s point: creation’s tireless repetition highlights how quickly time moves for us and how powerless we are to slow it down.
to where it rises“to where it rises” (Ecclesiastes 1:5d) circles back to the starting line, emphasizing the closed loop of earthly cycles.
•Ecclesiastes 3:1 affirms “there is a season for every activity,” echoing the continual return.
•Jeremiah 31:35 calls the sun’s fixed place a decree of God, speaking to His unchanging faithfulness.
•James 1:17 assures us that with the “Father of lights” there is “no variation or shifting shadow,” reassuring hearts that although life feels repetitive, the One behind it all is steadfast and trustworthy.
The sun’s return to sunrise shows that while days repeat, God’s purposes remain firm, and He invites us to anchor our lives in that constancy rather than in the fleeting rhythm itself.
summaryEcclesiastes 1:5 uses the daily journey of the sun to illustrate the dependable yet wearisome cycles of life under the sun. Each sunrise and sunset testifies to God’s precise, sovereign order, but they also reveal how limited human effort feels within those repetitive patterns. The verse encourages honest recognition of life’s transience while pointing to the Lord whose faithfulness governs every circuit and whose eternal purpose gives lasting meaning beyond the cycle.
(5)
Hasteth.--Heb.,
panteth.The word is used of eager desire (
Job 7:2;
Psalm 119:131).
Where he arose.--Better,there to rise again.
Verse 5. -
The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down. The sun is another instance of ever-recurring change in the face of an enduring sameness, rising and setting day-by-day, and resting never. The legendary 'Life of Abram' relates how, having been hidden for some years in a cave in order to escape the search of Nimrod, when he emerged from his concealment, and for the first time beheld heaven and earth, he began to inquire who was the Creator of the wonders around him. When the sun arose and flooded the scene with its glorious light, he at once concluded that that bright orb must be the creative Deity, and offered his prayers to it all day long. But when it sank in darkness, he repented of his illusion, being persuaded that the sun could not have made the world and be itself subject to extinction (see 'Abraham: his Life and Times,' p. 12).
And hasteth to his place where he arose; literally,
and panteth (equivalent to
hasteth,
longeth to go)
to its place arising there;
i.
e. the sun, sinking in the west, eagerly during the night returns to the east, duly to rise there in the morning. The "place" is the region of reappearance. The Septuagint gives, "The sun arises, and the sun sets, and draws (
ἕλκει) unto its place;" and then carries the idea into the following verse: "Arising there, it proceedeth southward," etc. The Vulgate supports the rendering; but there is no doubt that the Authorized Version gives substantially the sense of the Hebrew text as accentuated. The verb
שׁאפ (
shaaph), as Delitzsch shows, implies "punting," not from fatigue, but in eager pursuit of something; and all notions of panting steeds or morning exhalations are quite foreign from the conception of the passage. The notion which Koheleth desires to convey is that the sun makes no real progress; its eager punting merely brings it to the old place, there to recommence its monotonous routine. Rosenmüller quotes Catullus, 'Carm.,' 5:4-6, on which, Doering cites Lotich., 'Eleg.,' 3:7. 23 -
"Ergo ubi permensus coelum sol occidit, idem
Purpureo vestit lumine rursus humum;
Nos, ubi decidimus, defuncti muncre vitae,
Urget perpetua hmina nocte sopor." But our passage does not contrast the revival of the sun every morning with man's eternal sleep in death.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The sunהַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ(haš·še·meš)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121:The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlementrisesוְזָרַ֥ח(wə·zā·raḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2224:To irradiate, to rise, to appearand the sunהַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ(haš·šā·meš)Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121:The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlementsets;וּבָ֣א(ū·ḇā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goit hurries backשׁוֹאֵ֛ף(šō·w·’êp̄)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7602:To inhale eagerly, to cover, to be angry, to hastentoמְקוֹמ֔וֹ(mə·qō·w·mōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionwhereשָֽׁם׃(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitheritה֖וּא(hū)Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arearose.זוֹרֵ֥חַֽ(zō·w·rê·aḥ)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2224:To irradiate, to rise, to appear
Links
Ecclesiastes 1:5 NIVEcclesiastes 1:5 NLTEcclesiastes 1:5 ESVEcclesiastes 1:5 NASBEcclesiastes 1:5 KJV
Ecclesiastes 1:5 BibleApps.comEcclesiastes 1:5 Biblia ParalelaEcclesiastes 1:5 Chinese BibleEcclesiastes 1:5 French BibleEcclesiastes 1:5 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:5 The sun also rises and the sun (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) 
