Ecclesiastes 1:9

What does Ecclesiastes 1:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

That which has been, is that which is to be, and that which has been done, is that which will be done, and there is no new thing under the sun.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

What <FI>is<Fi> that which hath been? it <FI>is<Fi> that which is, and what <FI>is<Fi> that which hath been done? it <FI>is<Fi> that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which will be done: and there is nothing new under the sun.

Context

v.8All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

v.9This passage

v.10Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

Cross references

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

  • Ecclesiastes 3:15

    That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

  • Ecclesiastes 2:12

    And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for whatcanthe mandothat cometh after the king? even that which hath been done long ago.

  • Jeremiah 31:22

    How long wilt thou go hither and thither, O thou backsliding daughter? for Jehovah hath created a new thing in the earth: A woman shall encompass a man.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:10

    Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

  • Isaiah 43:19

    Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

  • Revelation 21:5

    And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.

Related questions readers ask