CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/21_Ecc_01_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:9 - Everything is Futile" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/">Ecclesiastes</a> > <a href="/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:8">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 1:9 <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-10.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The thing that hath been, it <i>is that</i> which shall be; and that which is done <i>is</i> that which shall be done: and <i>there is</i> no new <i>thing</i> under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />That which has been <i>is</i> what will be, That which <i>is</i> done is what will be done, And <i>there is</i> nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been, it is what will be, And what has been done, it is what will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />That which has been is that which will be [again], And that which has been done is that which will be done again. So there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Everything that happens has happened before; nothing is new, nothing under the sun. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whatever has happened before will happen [again]. Whatever has been done before will be done [again]. There is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whatever has happened, will happen again; whatever has been done, will be done again. There is nothing new on earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />What has been will be again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What exists now is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing truly new on earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />What [is] that which has been? It [is] that which is, and what [is] that which has been done? It [is] that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />What was, that shall be; and what was done, that shall be done: and not anything new under the sun.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />What is it that has existed? The same shall exist in the future. What is it that has been done? The same shall continue to be done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The thing that has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Whatever was, is, and what was done, that is done. and there is nothing new under the sun<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />That which hath been is that which shall be, And that which hath been done is that which shall be done; And there is nothing new under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What is that which has been? the very thing which shall be: and what is that which has been done? the very thing which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=66" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Everything is Futile</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: še·hā·yāh (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">has been</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: še·yih·yeh (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be again,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and what</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: šen·na·‘ă·śāh (Pro-r:: V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">has been done</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: še·yê·‘ā·śeh (Pro-r:: V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">will be done again;</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">there is nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2319.htm" title="2319: ḥā·ḏāš (Adj-ms) -- New. From chadash; new.">new</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/8121.htm" title="8121: haš·šā·meš (Art:: N-cs) -- From an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. A notched battlement.">the sun.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Is there a case where one can say, “Look, this is new”? It has already existed in the ages before us.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">2 Peter 2:22</a></span><br />Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-37.htm">Matthew 24:37-39</a></span><br />As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-26.htm">Luke 17:26-30</a></span><br />Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. / It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a></span><br />Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-4.htm">Romans 15:4</a></span><br />For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-8.htm">Hebrews 13:8</a></span><br />Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-5.htm">Revelation 21:5</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-9.htm">Isaiah 46:9-10</a></span><br />Remember what happened long ago, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. / I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/43-18.htm">Isaiah 43:18-19</a></span><br />“Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5-7</a></span><br />Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time. / And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. / So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a></span><br />When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-11.htm">Genesis 9:11-17</a></span><br />And I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” / And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: / I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm">Psalm 78:40-42</a></span><br />How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! / Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel. / They did not remember His power—the day He redeemed them from the adversary,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3-4</a></span><br />You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” / For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The thing that has 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.</p><p class="hdg">that hath</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:15</a></b></br> That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:10</a></b></br> Say not thou, What is <i>the cause</i> that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a></b></br> But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.</p><p class="hdg">and there</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm">Isaiah 43:19</a></b></br> Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, <i>and</i> rivers in the desert.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-22.htm">Jeremiah 31:22</a></b></br> How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/21-1.htm">Revelation 21:1,5</a></b></br> And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/4-3.htm">Entirely</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-25.htm">New</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Sun</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/22-17.htm">Entirely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-10.htm">New</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Sun</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">the preacher shows that all human courses are vain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">because the creatures are restless in their courses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ecclesiastes/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ecclesiastes/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>What has been will be again</b><br>This phrase reflects the cyclical nature of human history and experience. The author, traditionally identified as Solomon, observes that human endeavors and events tend to repeat themselves. This concept is rooted in the understanding of a fallen world where human nature remains consistent over time. Theologically, it underscores the idea of a world subjected to futility due to sin, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-21</a>. The repetitive nature of history can be seen in the rise and fall of empires, the recurring patterns of human behavior, and the ongoing struggle with sin and redemption.<p><b>and what has been done will be done again</b><br>This continuation emphasizes the repetitive actions and achievements of humanity. Despite technological advancements and cultural changes, the fundamental activities and pursuits of people remain unchanged. This can be seen in the continuous quest for power, wealth, and knowledge throughout history. The phrase suggests a sense of weariness and futility, echoing the sentiments found in <a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17-19</a>, where labor and toil are part of the human condition post-Fall. It also points to the limitations of human innovation and the inability to achieve ultimate fulfillment through earthly means.<p><b>there is nothing new under the sun</b><br>This concluding statement reinforces the idea that all human endeavors are ultimately transient and repetitive. The phrase "under the sun" is a key theme in Ecclesiastes, signifying life from a purely earthly perspective, devoid of eternal significance. It highlights the limitations of human wisdom and achievement when disconnected from divine purpose. This perspective is contrasted with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who offers newness of life (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>) and a hope that transcends earthly existence. The phrase challenges readers to seek meaning beyond the temporal and to find purpose in the eternal truths of God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>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 human endeavors.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where Solomon reigned as king. It serves as the backdrop for his reflections on life, wisdom, and the futility of human efforts without God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sun.htm">The Sun</a></b><br>A recurring symbol in Ecclesiastes representing the natural world and the repetitive cycles of life. It emphasizes the temporal and earthly perspective of human activities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cyclical_nature_of_life.htm">The Cyclical Nature of Life</a></b><br>Life's repetitive cycles remind us of our limitations and the need for divine perspective. Recognizing this can lead us to seek God's eternal wisdom rather than relying solely on human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_efforts_without_god.htm">The Futility of Human Efforts Without God</a></b><br>Without God, human efforts can seem meaningless. True purpose and fulfillment are found in aligning our lives with God's will and eternal plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Contentment in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Understanding that "there is nothing new under the sun" can lead us to find contentment in God's sovereignty, trusting that He is in control of the cycles of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_eternal_perspective.htm">The Importance of Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Focusing on eternal values rather than temporary achievements helps us live with purpose and hope, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_'nothing_new'_literal_today.htm">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? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_1_10_view_new_tech.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:10 – If someone points to innovations as “new,” how does the text account for modern technology and entirely unprecedented achievements? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'everything_is_meaningless'_mean.htm">What does "Everything is Meaningless" signify?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ecclesiastes_9_5_fit_with_an_active_afterlife.htm">In Ecclesiastes 9:5, if the dead truly 'know nothing,' how does that square with verses elsewhere suggesting an active afterlife?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">No</span> <span class= "bld">new thing.--</span>Contrast <a href="/jeremiah/31-22.htm" title="How long will you go about, O you backsliding daughter? for the LORD has created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.">Jeremiah 31:22</a>; <a href="/isaiah/43-19.htm" title="Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.">Isaiah 43:19</a>; <a href="/isaiah/65-17.htm" title="For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.">Isaiah 65:17</a>. Justin Martyr (<span class= "ital">Apol. i.</span> 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be.</span> The LXX. and the Vulgate render the first clauses of the two parts of the verse in both cases interrogatively, thus: "What is that which hath been? The very thing which shall be. And what is that which hath been done? The very thing which shall be done." What has been affirmed of phenomena in the material world is now affirmed of the events of man's life. They move in an analogous circle, whether they are concerned with actions or morals. Plumptre sees here an anticipation or a reproduction of the Stoic doctrine of a recurring cycle of events, such as Viral mentions in his fourth 'Eclogue' - <p><span class="foreign">"Magnus ab integro saeclorum nascitur ordo," etc.</span> But Koheleth is speaking merely from experience, and is indulging in no philosophical speculations. There is <span class="cmt_word">no new thing under the sun</span>. The Vulgate transfers this clause to the next verso, which, indeed, supports the assertion. From classical authors commentators have culled examples of the same thought. Thus Tacitus, 'Annal.,' 3:55, "Nisi forte rebus cunctis inest quidam velut orbis, ut quem ad modum temporum vices, ita morum vertantur." Seneca, 'Epist.,' 24, "Nullius rei finis est, sod in orbem nexa sunt omnia; fugiunt ac sequuntur Omnia transeunt ut revertantur, nihil novi video, nihil novi facio. Fit ali-quando et hujus rei nausea." M. Aurelius, 'Medit.,' 6:37, "He that sees the present has seen all things, both that which has Been from everlasting and that which shall Be in the future. All things are of one birth and one form." Again, 7:1, "There is nothing new; all things are common and quickly over;" 12:26, "Everything that comes to pass was always so coming to pass, and will take place again." Justin Martyr, 'Apol.,' 1:57, has, perhaps, a reminiscence of this passage when he writes, <span class="greek">Οὐ γὰρ</span> <span class="greek">δεοίκαμεν θάνατον τοῦ πάντως ἀποθανεῖν</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶּֽׁהָיָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(še·hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is what</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֣וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be,</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיִּהְיֶ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(še·yih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and what</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has been done</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁנַּֽעֲשָׂ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(šen·na·‘ă·śāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be done again;</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(še·yê·‘ā·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there is nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">new</span><br /><span class="heb">חָדָ֖שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḏāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2319.htm">Strong's 2319: </a> </span><span class="str2">New</span><br /><br /><span class="word">under</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּ֥חַת</span> <span class="translit">(ta·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sun.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·meš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8121.htm">Strong's 8121: </a> </span><span class="str2">The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:9 That which has been is that which (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>