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<!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 1:4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/21_Ecc_01_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:4 - Everything is Futile" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever." /><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'; 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But the earth abides forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth stands forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />One generation goes and another generation comes, But the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People come, and people go, but still the world never changes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; and the earth abideth for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Generations come, and generations go, but the earth lasts forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Generations come and generations go, but the world stays just the same. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A generation goes, a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A generation comes and a generation goes, but the earth remains the same through the ages. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth is standing for all time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is standing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A generation went away, and a generation came: and the earth stood forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth standeth for ever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A generation passes away, and a generation arrives. But the earth stands forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />One generation departs and another generation comes, but the world forever stays. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />One generation passes away and another generation comes; but the earth abides for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A generation goes and a generation comes, and Earth stands to eternity<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; And the earth abideth for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A generation goes, and a generation comes: but the earth stands for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-4.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=22" 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">3</span>What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun? <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: dō·wr (N-ms) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">Generations</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hō·lêḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">come</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: wə·ḏō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling.">and generations</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">go,</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: wə·hā·’ā·reṣ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">but the earth</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: ‘ō·mā·ḏeṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fs) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">remains</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: lə·‘ō·w·lām (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">forever.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises.…<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="/psalms/102-25.htm">Psalm 102:25-27</a></span><br />In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. / But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-10.htm">Hebrews 1:10-12</a></span><br />And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10-13</a></span><br />But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-22.htm">Genesis 8:22</a></span><br />As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-1.htm">Psalm 90:1-2</a></span><br />A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. / Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-35.htm">Matthew 24:35</a></span><br />Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-17.htm">1 John 2:17</a></span><br />The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-6.htm">Isaiah 51:6</a></span><br />Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-1.htm">Revelation 21:1</a></span><br />Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a></span><br />“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a></span><br />He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a></span><br />For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a></span><br />and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth stays for ever.</p><p class="hdg">one generation</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:12</a></b></br> For who knoweth what <i>is</i> good for man in <i>this</i> life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/5-3.htm">Genesis 5:3-31</a></b></br> And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat <i>a son</i> in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-20.htm">Genesis 11:20-32</a></b></br> And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug: … </p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-24.htm">Psalm 102:24-28</a></b></br> I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years <i>are</i> throughout all generations… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a></b></br> <i>Who</i> laid the foundations of the earth, <i>that</i> it should not be removed for ever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-90.htm">Psalm 119:90,91</a></b></br> Thy faithfulness <i>is</i> unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/15-31.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-30.htm">Age</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-14.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-14.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-24.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-17.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-4.htm">Standeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-9.htm">Standing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/40-8.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-14.htm">Age</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-21.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-14.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Generation</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-20.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Standeth</a> <a href="/songs/2-9.htm">Standing</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>Generations come and generations go</b><br>This phrase reflects the transient nature of human life, emphasizing the cyclical pattern of birth and death. In biblical context, it echoes the themes found in other wisdom literature, such as the Book of Job and Psalms, which often highlight the brevity of human existence compared to the eternal nature of God. Historically, this understanding would resonate with ancient cultures that observed the repetitive cycles of life and death, often marked by oral traditions and genealogies. The phrase also connects to the genealogical records in Genesis, where the lineage from Adam through Noah and beyond illustrates the passing of generations. This cyclical view underscores the futility of human endeavors without divine purpose, a central theme in Ecclesiastes.<p><b>but the earth remains forever</b><br>This part of the verse contrasts the fleeting nature of human life with the perceived permanence of the earth. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the earth was seen as a stable, enduring entity, created by God and sustained by His power. This idea is supported by other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/104-5.htm">Psalm 104:5</a>, which speaks of God setting the earth on its foundations so it can never be moved. Theologically, this permanence points to God's sovereignty and the order He established in creation. While the earth's permanence is emphasized, it is important to note that in the broader biblical narrative, the earth is subject to God's ultimate plan, including its renewal and restoration as prophesied in <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21:1</a>, where a new heaven and a new earth are promised. This reflects the hope of redemption and the eternal kingdom of God, where the temporal and eternal intersect through the work of Jesus Christ.<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 nature of life and the human experience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>- The nation where Solomon reigned as king. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of Ecclesiastes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>- The city where Solomon built the temple and reigned as king. It serves as a backdrop for his reflections on life and eternity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_human_life.htm">The Transience of Human Life</a></b><br>Human generations are temporary, emphasizing the need to focus on eternal values rather than temporal achievements.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_permanence_of_creation.htm">The Permanence of Creation</a></b><br>The earth's enduring nature serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the stability found in His creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to adopt an eternal perspective, recognizing that while human life is fleeting, God's purposes endure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_the_earth.htm">Stewardship of the Earth</a></b><br>As the earth remains, Christians are called to be responsible stewards of God's creation, caring for it as a reflection of His eternal nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_unchanging_nature.htm">Hope in God's Unchanging Nature</a></b><br>The constancy of the earth points to the unchanging nature of God, offering hope and assurance in a world of change.<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_does_ecclesiastes_1_4_align_with_science.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 – If the earth “remains forever,” how does this reconcile with scientific evidence that the earth had a beginning and will eventually end? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'walking_in_truth'_mean.htm">What defines the Church Triumphant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_job_4_17_declare_humans_unjust.htm">In Job 4:17, how can humans be declared unjust by default if the text elsewhere affirms God's love and mercy toward humanity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_toledot.htm">What is the meaning of Toledot?</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>(4) Comp. <a href="//apocrypha.org/ecclesiasticus/14-19.htm" title="Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.">Ecclesiasticus 14:19</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh.</span> The translation rather weakens the force of the original, which is, <span class="accented">a generation goeth</span>, <span class="accented">and a generation cometh</span>. Man is only a pilgrim on earth; he soon passes away, and his place is occupied by others. Parallelisms of this sentiment will occur to every reader. Thus Ben-Sira, "All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death. As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born. Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal" (Ecclus. 14:17, etc.; comp. <a href="/job/10-21.htm">Job 10:21</a>; <a href="/psalms/39-13.htm">Psalm 39:13</a>). The famous passage in Homer, 'Iliad,' 6:146, etc., is thus rendered by Lord Derby - <p><span class="accented">"The race of man is as the race of leaves:<br />Of leaves, one generation by the wind<br />Is scattered on the earth; another soon<br />In spring's luxuriant verdure bursts to light.<br />So with our race: these flourish, those decay."</span> (Comp. ibid., 21:464, etc.; Horace, 'Ars Poet.,' 60.) <span class="cmt_word">But</span> (<span class="accented">and<span class="cmt_word"></span>) the earth abideth forever</span>. While the constant succession of generations of men goes on, the earth remains unchanged and immovable. If men were as permanent as is their dwelling-place, their labors might profit; but as things are, the painful contrast between the two makes itself felt. The term, "for ever," like the Greek <span class="greek">εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα</span>, does not necessarily imply eternity, but often denotes limited or conditioned duration, as when the slave is engaged to serve his master "for ever" (<a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Exodus 21:6</a>), or the hills are called "everlasting" (<a href="/genesis/49-26.htm">Genesis 49:26</a>). This verse gives one instance of growth and decay in contrast with insensate continuance. The following verses give further examples. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-4.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">Generations</span><br /><span class="heb">דּ֤וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(dō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">come</span><br /><span class="heb">הֹלֵךְ֙</span> <span class="translit">(hō·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and generations</span><br /><span class="heb">וְד֣וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḏō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1755.htm">Strong's 1755: </a> </span><span class="str2">A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֔א</span> <span class="translit">(bā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the earth</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָאָ֖רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">remains</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹמָֽדֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·mā·ḏeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">forever.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעוֹלָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘ō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> </span><span class="str2">Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:4 One generation goes and another generation comes (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:5" /></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>