Ecclesiastes 1:12

What does Ecclesiastes 1:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

I, a preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I Ecclesiastes was king over Israel in Jerusalem,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Context

v.11There is no remembrance of the former generations; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter generations that are to come, among those that shall come after.

v.12This passage

v.13And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Related questions readers ask