# Where is “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” in the Bible?

> “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” is Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/vanity-of-vanities-all-is-vanity
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes says it. Tradition names him as Solomon.

## The verse

> “Utter futility,” says the Teacher, “utter futility! Everything is futile!”
>
> — [Ecclesiastes 1:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ecclesiastes/1#2) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently.

## What it means there

The Hebrew word means breath or vapor: something that is gone as soon as you see it. Newer translations say “meaningless” or “futile.” The book tests work, pleasure and wisdom and finds each one slipping away, then ends by saying to fear God.

## Common questions

### Where is “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” in the Bible?

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” is Ecclesiastes 1:2. These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently. The Teacher of Ecclesiastes says it. Tradition names him as Solomon.

### Is “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” in the Bible?

Yes. It is Ecclesiastes 1:2. In the Lumin Translation, Ecclesiastes 1:2 reads: ““Utter futility,” says the Teacher, “utter futility! Everything is futile!””

### Who said “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”?

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes says it. Tradition names him as Solomon.

### What does “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” mean in the Bible?

The Hebrew word means breath or vapor: something that is gone as soon as you see it. Newer translations say “meaningless” or “futile.” The book tests work, pleasure and wisdom and finds each one slipping away, then ends by saying to fear God.

## More

- [Where is “The Lord bless you and keep you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-lord-bless-you-and-keep-you.md)
- [Where is “If my people who are called by my name” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/if-my-people-who-are-called-by-my-name.md)
- [Where is “The grass withers, the flower fades” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-grass-withers-the-flower-fades.md)
- [Where is “The Lord is good to those who wait for him” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-lord-is-good-to-those-who-wait-for-him.md)
- [Where is “I am the way, the truth, and the life” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/i-am-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life.md)
- [Where is “Love one another as I have loved you” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/love-one-another-as-i-have-loved-you.md)
- [Where is “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/my-god-my-god-why-have-you-forsaken-me.md)
- [Where is “Let your light shine before men” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/let-your-light-shine-before-men.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)