Topical Encyclopedia
The term "vanities" in the Bible often refers to the fleeting, meaningless, or futile aspects of life and human endeavors when they are pursued apart from God. This concept is most prominently explored in the book of Ecclesiastes, where the Hebrew word "hevel" is frequently translated as "vanity" or "meaningless." The Preacher, traditionally understood to be Solomon, uses this term to express the transient and elusive nature of worldly pursuits and human wisdom.
Ecclesiastes and the Theme of VanityEcclesiastes opens with the declaration, "Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity" (
Ecclesiastes 1:2). This sets the tone for the entire book, which examines various aspects of life—such as labor, pleasure, wisdom, and wealth—and concludes that they are ultimately futile when considered apart from a relationship with God. The Preacher observes that human efforts are like "chasing after the wind" (
Ecclesiastes 1:14), emphasizing the ephemeral nature of earthly achievements.
Throughout Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reflects on the limitations of human understanding and the inevitability of death, which renders many of life's pursuits meaningless. He notes, "For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun?" (
Ecclesiastes 2:22). The repetitive cycles of nature and the brevity of human life underscore the theme of vanity.
Vanity in the Psalms and ProphetsThe concept of vanity is not limited to Ecclesiastes. In the Psalms, the term is used to describe the futility of idolatry and false worship.
Psalm 31:6 states, "I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust" . Here, "worthless idols" are equated with vanities, highlighting the emptiness of worshiping anything other than the true God.
The prophets also address the theme of vanity, particularly in the context of idolatry and the false security it provides. Jeremiah laments, "They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves" (
Jeremiah 2:5). This underscores the idea that turning away from God to pursue other "vanities" leads to spiritual emptiness and moral decay.
New Testament PerspectiveIn the New Testament, the theme of vanity is echoed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, which are subject to decay and theft, and instead encourages storing up treasures in heaven (
Matthew 6:19-20). The apostle Paul speaks of the futility of creation subjected to frustration and the hope of liberation through Christ (
Romans 8:20-21).
Paul also cautions against living in the "futility of their thinking" (
Ephesians 4:17), urging believers to live in the light of God's truth rather than the empty philosophies of the world. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that true meaning and fulfillment are found in a life oriented toward God and His purposes.
Practical ImplicationsThe biblical concept of vanities serves as a reminder of the limitations of human endeavors and the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance. It calls believers to evaluate their priorities and to focus on what is eternal rather than what is temporary. By recognizing the vanity of worldly pursuits, Christians are encouraged to live lives that reflect the values of God's kingdom, investing in relationships, service, and spiritual growth that have lasting significance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Vanity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VANITY, VANITIES"Vanity" does not often occur in the New Testament; but see VAIN, VAINGLORY. InActs 14:15 we have mataios, "empty," translated "vanities" (of idols); mataiotes, "emptiness," "transitoriness" (Romans 8:20, "The creation was subjected to vanity," frailty, transitoriness); "emptiness," "folly" (Ephesians 4:172 Peter 2:18).
Among other changes for "vanity" the Revised Version (British and American) has "iniquity" (Job 15:35Psalm 10:7); "falsehood" (Psalm 12:2;Psalm 41:6); "deceit" (Psalm 144:8, 11); "vapor" (Proverbs 21:6); "calamity" (Proverbs 22:8 margin "vanity"); "a breath" (Isaiah 57:13); "wickedly" (Isaiah 58:9). Conversely, for "Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?" (Psalm 89:47), "For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!"; for "Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing" (Isaiah 41:29), "Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought," margin as the King James Version, with "nought" for "nothing."
W. L. Walker
Strong's Hebrew
1892. hebel -- vapor, breath... fraud (1), futile (1), futility (13), idols (7), mere breath (2), nothing (1), useless
(1), vain (3), vainly (1), vanity (19), vanity of
vanities (3), vapor (1
...Library
'LyingVanities'
... JONAH 'LYINGVANITIES'. 'They that observe lyingvanities forsake their own
mercy.'"JONAH 11..8.... 'Lyingvanities' mean idols, and 'their own mercy' means God....
St. Barnabas' Day. We Preach unto You that Ye Should Turn from...
... St. Barnabas' Day. We preach unto you that ye should turn from thesevanities
unto the living God which made heaven. St. Barnabas' Day....
Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all...
... THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER I Of the
imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all itsvanities....
The First Chapter: Imitating Christ and Despising allVanities on...
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The First Chapter: Imitating
Christ and Despising AllVanities on Earth. HE WHO...
Who was the Author of theVanities Before Described in Italy among...
... Chap. xxii."who was the author of thevanities before described in italy
among the romans, and who among other nations. The author...
But what Marvel that I was Thus Carried Away toVanities...
... Book I Chapter XVIII But what marvel that I was thus carried away tovanities?
But what marvel that I was thus carried away to...
This Taught Me that those Fashions and TinseledVanities
... THE THIRD CENTURY 31 This taught me that those fashions and tinseledvanities.
This taught me that those fashions and tinseledvanities...
Being Swallowed up Therefore in the Miserable Gulf of Idle Talk...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 14 Being swallowed up therefore in the miserable gulf of idle
talk and worthlessvanities. Being swallowed up therefore...
Inevitable Nemesis
... ". Vanity ofvanities, saith the Preacher; vanity ofvanities"all is vanity!"
True always, it never seemed more true than now....
Jerome Savonarola (Ad 1452-1498)
... Lent, he sent a number of boys about the city (AD 1497), where they entered into
houses, and asked the inhabitants to give up to them any "vanities" which they...
Thesaurus
Vanities (14 Occurrences)... VANITY,
VANITIES. "Vanity" does not often occur in the New Testament; but see VAIN,
VAINGLORY.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Vanities (14 Occurrences).
...Koheleth (7 Occurrences)
... Jerusalem. (See JPS). Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity ofvanities, saith the Preacher;
vanity ofvanities, all is vanity. (See JPS). Ecclesiastes...
Provoked (70 Occurrences)
... They have provoked me to anger with theirvanities.... Why have they provoked me
to anger with their engraved images, and with foreignvanities?...
Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... 1:2,. "Vanity ofvanities! saith the Preacher, Vanity ofvanities! all is vanity!".
ie, all man's efforts to find happiness apart from God are without result....
Provoking (29 Occurrences)
... and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel
to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with theirvanities....
Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not
God. They have provoked me to anger with theirvanities....
Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... VANITY,VANITIES.... Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Vanity ofvanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity
ofvanities, all is vanity." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Worthless (103 Occurrences)
... and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and with which they made Israel
to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with theirvanities....
Idols (186 Occurrences)
... They have provoked me to anger with theirvanities.... (See JPS). Psalms 31:6 I hate
those who regard lyingvanities, but I trust in Yahweh. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Commit (142 Occurrences)
... and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and with which they made Israel
to sin, to provoke Yahweh, the God of Israel, to anger with theirvanities....
Resources
Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about vanity? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Preacher in Ecclesiastes? | GotQuestions.orgVanities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
