Vanity of vanities— Vanity of vanities, according to the Hebrew idiom, signifies, the greatest vanity. The original word הבל hebel, signifies, properly, steam or vapour, and is used to denote any thing which is transient and empty, in apparition to what is solid, substantial, and permanent. These verses contain the first proposition, "That no labour or trouble of men," &c. The proofs of which we here subjoin analytically:
Ecclesiastes 1:2-3. I. Proposition.
Ecclesiastes 1:4 st Proof. The course of nature.
Ecclesiastes 1:12, &c. 2nd Proof. Men's occupations.
Ecclesiastes 1:16-18. 1st Head. Wisdom or philosophy.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 nd Head. Pleasure. 3.-10. Both jointly.
Ecclesiastes 2:11. General conclusion of the 2nd proof.
A review of the 2nd proof, with special conclusions relating to every particular therein mentioned; viz.
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17. Ecclesiastes 2:1. Wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. Ecclesiastes 2:2. Riches.
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26. Ecclesiastes 2:3. Pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 3:1, &c. 3rd Proof. Inconstancy of men's will.
Ecclesiastes 3:9. Conclusion of the 3rd proof.
A review of the 2nd and 3rd proofs, considered jointly with special observations and corollaries.
Ecclesiastes 3:10 st Observation. God is inculpable.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-15. 2nd Observation. God by his constant Providence and unerring wisdom governs the world.
Ecclesiastes 3:16-17. 1st Corollary. God shall redress all grievances.
Ecclesiastes 3:18-21. 2nd Corollary. God must be exalted, and man humbled.
Ecclesiastes 3:22. 3rd Corollary. God alloweth men to enjoy the present.
Ecclesiastes 4:1. 4th Proof. Men's neglect of proper opportunities evidenced in several instances; viz.
Ecclesiastes 3:1Ecc 3:1. Oppression.
Ecclesiastes 4:4. Ecclesiastes 4:2.Envy.
Ecclesiastes 6:3Ecc 6:3. Idleness.
Ecclesiastes 12:4Ecc 12:4. Avarice.
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16. Ecclesiastes 4:5. Misapplication of esteem and regard.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-9. N.B. Chap. Ecclesiastes 5:1-9 is a digression containing several admonitions, in order to prevent any misconstruction of the foregoing remarks.
Ecclesiastes 12:6Ecc 12:6. Expensive living.