Ecclesiastes 12:8

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

הֲבֵ֧ל
הֲבֵ֧ל
Root word vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
Dictionary form: הֶבֶל · heh-BEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: vanity
vanity ×17 is vanity ×15 are vanity ×6 in vain ×4 of vanities ×4 vanities ×3 of thy vanity ×2 to anger with their vanities ×2
More options
emptiness — Captures the hollow, void quality; broadly applicable.
futility — Emphasizes pointlessness of effort; strong in Ecclesiastes.
vapor — Retains the literal breath/mist image; vivid and poetic.
illusion — Stresses deceptive unreality; good for idol or false-hope contexts.
fleeting breath — Highlights brevity and transience; suits existential passages.
worthlessness — Blunter register; effective when contempt or judgment is implied.

BDB2041 H1892

BDB2040 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2042

I. הֶ֫בֶל73 noun masculine vapour, breath (Late Hebrew id., Syriac id.) figurative vanity (so Late Hebrew, Syriac ) — הָ֑בֶל Eccl 1:2 +; construct הֲבֵל Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8, suffix הֶבְלִי etc. Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); plural הֲבָלִים Jer 10:8 +; construct הַבְלֵי Jer 8:19 +, suffix הַבְלֵיהֶם Deut 32:21 +; —

1. literal Isa 57:13 all of them (the idols) יִשָּׂארֿוּחַ יִקַּח הָ֑בֶל a breath (ᵑ9 aura) will carry away, Prov 21:6 the getting of treasures by a lying tongue is הֶבֶל נִדָּף a vapour driven away. Elsewhere always
2. figurative of what is evanescent, unsubstantial, worthless, vanity, as of idols Jer 10:15 = Jer 51:18; Jer 16:19 הֶבֶל וְאֵין בָּם מוֺעִיל || (שֶׁקֶרׅ, heathen observances Jer 10:3, and in phrase הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי הַהֶבֶל Jer 2:5; 2Kgs 17:15; Prov 13:11 הוֺן מֵהֶבֶל wealth (gotten) out of vanity, (i.e. not by solid toil, opposed to קֹבֵץ עַל יָד) is minished (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew מְבֹהָל, see Prov 20:21 Qr), Prov 31:30 שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי, Lam 4:17 אֶל עֶזְרָתֵנוּ הֶבֶל to our vain (Dr§ 193 n.) help; of life Job 7:16 כִּי הֶבֶל יָמָֽי׃, Ps 78:33 וַיְכַל בַּהֶבֶל יְמֵיהֶם consumed their days as (בְּ I:7 d vanity, man Ps 39:6; Ps 39:12; Ps 62:10 הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם ֗֗֗ הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָ˜חַד׃ they are altogether (made) of vanity, Ps 94:11; Ps 144:4, especially in Ecclesiastes (31 t. + הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8) of the fruitlessness of all human enterprise and endeavour, Eccl 1:2 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, vEccl 1:14 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ all was vanity and the pursuit of wind, Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 2:15 etc., Eccl 6:4 (of an abortion) בַּהֶבֶל בָּא i.e. into a lifeless existence, vEccl 6:11 יֵשׁ דְּבָרִים הַרְבֵּה מַרְבִּים הָ֑בֶל (of discussions leading to no result), note also the phrases יְמֵי (הֶבְלוֺ, הֶבְלְךָ) הֶבְלִי Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9, ׳יְמֵי חַיֵּי ה Eccl 6:12; Eccl 9:9; Job 27:12 (see הָבַל), Isa 49:4 לְתֹהוּ וָהֶבֶל for nought and vanity have I spent my strength; as adverb accusative vainly, to no purpose Isa 30:7 הֶבֶל וָרִיק יַעֲזֹ֑רוּ, Ps 39:7 אַךְ הֶבֶל יֶהֱמָיוּן they disquiet themselves to no purpose, Job 9:29: הֶבֶל אִיגָָֽע Job 35:16, with נִחַם to comfort Job 21:34; Zech 10:2. Plural הֲבָלִים of false gods, Deut 32:21 ) כִּעֲסוּנִי בְהַבְלֵיהֶם || בְּלֹאאֵֿל) 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 16:26; Jer 8:19 הַבְלֵי נֵכָר || (בִּפְסִילֵיהֶםׅ, Jer 10:8; Jer 14:22 הַבְלֵי הַגּוֺיִם, Ps 31:7 הַשֹּׁמְרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא empty vanities Jonah 2:9 in more general sense Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8 הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים, Eccl 5:6.

vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
hebel
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
  • vapour, breath
    • breath, vapour
    • "vanity (figuratively)
    (adv) vainly

הֲבָלִ֛ים
הֲבָלִ֛ים
Root word vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
Dictionary form: הֶבֶל · heh-BEL

Noun — Common, masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of vanities
vanity ×17 is vanity ×15 are vanity ×6 in vain ×4 of vanities ×4 vanities ×3 of thy vanity ×2 to anger with their vanities ×2
More options
emptiness — Captures the hollow, void quality; broadly applicable.
futility — Emphasizes pointlessness of effort; strong in Ecclesiastes.
vapor — Retains the literal breath/mist image; vivid and poetic.
illusion — Stresses deceptive unreality; good for idol or false-hope contexts.
fleeting breath — Highlights brevity and transience; suits existential passages.
worthlessness — Blunter register; effective when contempt or judgment is implied.

BDB2041 H1892

BDB2040 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2042

I. הֶ֫בֶל73 noun masculine vapour, breath (Late Hebrew id., Syriac id.) figurative vanity (so Late Hebrew, Syriac ) — הָ֑בֶל Eccl 1:2 +; construct הֲבֵל Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8, suffix הֶבְלִי etc. Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); plural הֲבָלִים Jer 10:8 +; construct הַבְלֵי Jer 8:19 +, suffix הַבְלֵיהֶם Deut 32:21 +; —

1. literal Isa 57:13 all of them (the idols) יִשָּׂארֿוּחַ יִקַּח הָ֑בֶל a breath (ᵑ9 aura) will carry away, Prov 21:6 the getting of treasures by a lying tongue is הֶבֶל נִדָּף a vapour driven away. Elsewhere always
2. figurative of what is evanescent, unsubstantial, worthless, vanity, as of idols Jer 10:15 = Jer 51:18; Jer 16:19 הֶבֶל וְאֵין בָּם מוֺעִיל || (שֶׁקֶרׅ, heathen observances Jer 10:3, and in phrase הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי הַהֶבֶל Jer 2:5; 2Kgs 17:15; Prov 13:11 הוֺן מֵהֶבֶל wealth (gotten) out of vanity, (i.e. not by solid toil, opposed to קֹבֵץ עַל יָד) is minished (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew מְבֹהָל, see Prov 20:21 Qr), Prov 31:30 שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי, Lam 4:17 אֶל עֶזְרָתֵנוּ הֶבֶל to our vain (Dr§ 193 n.) help; of life Job 7:16 כִּי הֶבֶל יָמָֽי׃, Ps 78:33 וַיְכַל בַּהֶבֶל יְמֵיהֶם consumed their days as (בְּ I:7 d vanity, man Ps 39:6; Ps 39:12; Ps 62:10 הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם ֗֗֗ הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָ˜חַד׃ they are altogether (made) of vanity, Ps 94:11; Ps 144:4, especially in Ecclesiastes (31 t. + הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8) of the fruitlessness of all human enterprise and endeavour, Eccl 1:2 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, vEccl 1:14 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ all was vanity and the pursuit of wind, Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 2:15 etc., Eccl 6:4 (of an abortion) בַּהֶבֶל בָּא i.e. into a lifeless existence, vEccl 6:11 יֵשׁ דְּבָרִים הַרְבֵּה מַרְבִּים הָ֑בֶל (of discussions leading to no result), note also the phrases יְמֵי (הֶבְלוֺ, הֶבְלְךָ) הֶבְלִי Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9, ׳יְמֵי חַיֵּי ה Eccl 6:12; Eccl 9:9; Job 27:12 (see הָבַל), Isa 49:4 לְתֹהוּ וָהֶבֶל for nought and vanity have I spent my strength; as adverb accusative vainly, to no purpose Isa 30:7 הֶבֶל וָרִיק יַעֲזֹ֑רוּ, Ps 39:7 אַךְ הֶבֶל יֶהֱמָיוּן they disquiet themselves to no purpose, Job 9:29: הֶבֶל אִיגָָֽע Job 35:16, with נִחַם to comfort Job 21:34; Zech 10:2. Plural הֲבָלִים of false gods, Deut 32:21 ) כִּעֲסוּנִי בְהַבְלֵיהֶם || בְּלֹאאֵֿל) 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 16:26; Jer 8:19 הַבְלֵי נֵכָר || (בִּפְסִילֵיהֶםׅ, Jer 10:8; Jer 14:22 הַבְלֵי הַגּוֺיִם, Ps 31:7 הַשֹּׁמְרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא empty vanities Jonah 2:9 in more general sense Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8 הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים, Eccl 5:6.

vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
hebel
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
  • vapour, breath
    • breath, vapour
    • "vanity (figuratively)
    (adv) vainly

אָמַ֥ר
אָמַ֥ר
Root word said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
Dictionary form: אָמַר · aw-MAHR

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person masculine singular simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "he (or it)"

In the KJV here: saith
said ×947 saying ×718 and said ×688 saith ×527 and he said ×343 then said ×139 say ×122 and say ×119
More options
say — Most versatile; fits nearly any context or register.
declare — Emphasizes formal or authoritative pronouncement.
tell — Prefer when communication to an audience is stressed.
speak — Highlights the act of oral expression itself.
command — Use when the utterance carries directive force.
think — Fits internal or reflective speech contexts.

BDB557 H559

BDB556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB558

אָמַר5287 verb utter, say (MI, Phoenician אמר, Aramaic אֲמַר, Ethiopic I. 2 shew, declare, Arabic command; perhaps √ אמר originally = be or make prominent, hence Hithpa`el below, אָמִיר; Sabean אמר lofty, epithet of king JHMordtmZMG 1876, 37; compare DlPr 28 who thinks original meaning hell, sichtbar sein, whence Assyrian amâru, see, & shew, declare, say) — Qal Perfect ׳א Gen 3:1 +, etc.; Imperfect יאֹמַר Gen 31:8 +; וַיּאֹ֫מֶר Gen 1:3 +; וַיּאֹמַ֑ר Gen 14:19 +; in Job always וַיּאֹ֑מַר Job 3:2 +; 3 feminine singular תּאֹמַר Gen 21:12 +; תּאֹמֵר֑ Prov 1:21 1 singular אֹמַר Gen 22:2 +; אוֺמְרָה Ps 42:10 וָאֹמַר Gen 20:13 +; וָאוֺמַר Neh 2:7; Neh 2:17; Neh 2:20 3 masculine plural יאֹמְדוּ Exod 4:1 + etc.; suffix יֹמְרוּךָ Ps 139:20 2 masculine plural תֹּמְדוּ 2Sam 19:14 ( compare i. p. 385); Imperative (אֱמָרֿ) אֱמֹר Gen 45:17 +, etc.; Infinitive absolute אָמוֺר Exod 21:5 +; construct אֱמֹר Ezek 25:8 +; (הַ)אֲמֹר Job 34:18 but read הָאֹמֵר ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Di, or better הֶאָמֹר Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative compare Ew :§ 328 d; suffix אָמְרִי Josh 6:10 +; אֲמָרְכֶם Jer 23:38 אֱמָרְכֶם Mal 1:7 +; לֵאמֹר Gen 1:22 +, etc.; Participle active אֹמֵר Gen 32:10 +, etc.; passive הֶאָמוּר Mic 2:7, but this grammatically indefensible, read הֶאָמוֺר, Infinitive absolute with ה interrogative, see DrExpositor, April, 1887, 263.

1. Say (subject God Gen 3:1 + or man Gen 32:5, serpent Gen 3:1, ass Num 22:28, horse יאֹמַר הֶאָח Job 39:25 etc.; inanimate things, personified Job 28:14 compare vJob 28:22 etc.; so in allegory or fable Judg 9:8; 2Kgs 14:9 etc.; especially in narration, וַיּאֹמֶר etc., Gen 4:6 + very often): mostly followed by thing said, either substantive Jer 14:17 (c. clause app.) Deut 27:16f.; Judg 12:6 pronoun Gen 44:16; 2Kgs 20:14 +; or (usually) clause Gen 1:3; Gen 3:1; Gen 37:20 + often (oratio recta [direct speech]); with adverb thus, so Gen 32:5; Num 20:14; 1Kgs 20:3; 1Kgs 20:5 + often; especially ׳כֹּה אָמַר י Exod 5:1; Exod 7:17; Exod 8:1; Exod 8:20; 1Chr 17:4 + often; the person addressed usually introduced by אֶל Gen 3:1; Gen 15:7; Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; 2Sam 3:7; 1Kgs 12:5; 1Kgs 12:23, or לְ Gen 3:13; Gen 4:15; 1Sam 20:2; 2Sam 2:21; 1Kgs 14:2 + often; rarer combinations are, בְּאָזְנֵי ׳א Isa 49:20 (compare Isa 5:9 & see דבר); לִפְנֵי ׳א Ezek 28:9 לְעֵינֵי ׳א Deut 31:7; Josh 10:12; Jer 28:11 בְּ ׳א Joel 2:17; Ps 126:2, where בְּ local; in all cases usually followed by direct object of words said, Exod 19:25 being very singular; Gen 4:8 the object-clause has probably fallen out, compare Vrss Di; = mention, name, designate Gen 22:2; Gen 22:3; Gen 43:27; Gen 43:29; Exod 32:13; Num 14:40; 1Sam 10:16; 1Sam 16:3; 2Sam 6:22; Neh 6:19 compare Ps 139:20 יֹמְרוּךָ לִמְזִמָּה speak of thee for falsehood (but many, as Hup Pe Dy Che, read יַמְרוּךָ); = tell, declare, proclaim, (followed by direct object only) Ps 40:11; Ezek 13:7 in reply to question = answer Exod 12:27; Josh 4:7; 1Kgs 9:9; Jer 5:19; Jer 22:9. The object spoken of may be referred to by אֶל 2Kgs 19:32; Jer 22:18; Jer 27:19, or לְ Gen 20:13 אִמְרִי לִֹי say of me, etc. Deut 33:9; Judg 9:54; Isa 5:20; Ps 3:3; Ps 71:10, very rarely by a simple accusative Isa 3:10 (where read probably for אִמְרוּ, אַשְׁרֵי), except after אֲשֶׁר where the words used follow (compare אֲשֶׁר 4 d) Gen 3:17; Num 10:29; Num 14:31; Deut 28:68; Judg 7:4; 1Sam 9:17; 1Sam 9:23b 1Kgs 8:29; Lam 4:20 compare Num 21:16; 2Kgs 17:12; 2Kgs 21:4, & (two extreme cases) Isa 8:12; Lam 2:15 (see DrSm i. 24, 5); ֶ˜האָמוּר Mic 2:7 read infinitive absolute with ה interrogative הֶאָמוֺר (see above) shall one say ? shall it be said ? After another verb of saying, introducing thing said: Deut 21:7; Deut 25:9; Deut 27:15; Song 2:10 +, even after אמר Gen 22:7; Lev 21:1; Jer 34:2; Esth 7:5 +; especially infinitive לֵאמֹר, after דבר Gen 8:15, צוה Gen 2:16, ענה Gen 44:16, ברך Gen 1:22, נשׁבע Gen 24:7, נדר Gen 28:20, etc.; after אמר 2Sam 3:18; 1Kgs 12:23; Ruth 4:4; 1Chr 21:18 +; after שׁלח 2Chr 35:21, שׁוּב Gen 32:7 compare also Gen 28:6; Gen 9:5; Gen 13:8; Gen 17:4; Deut 13:7; Judg 8:15; 1Sam 23:2; 1Kgs 13:3; Jer 32:3; Jer 37:9 +; also when subject of לֵאמֹר differs from that of pre-ceding clause Gen 31:1; Gen 38:13; Gen 38:24 etc.; after שׁמע Isa 37:9 = 2Kgs 19:9.

2. Say in the heart (= think) בלבב ׳א Deut 8:17 compare 1Kgs 12:26; Ps 10:6; Ps 10:11; Ps 10:13; Ps 14:1; Ps 35:25; Isa 14:13; Isa 47:8; Isa 47:10; Isa 49:21; Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:15; Eccl 3:17; Eccl 3:18 לִלְבָבָם ׳א Hos 7:2 אֶללִֿבּוֺ ׳א Gen 8:21 said unto his heart (to himself), subject ׳י, compare 1Sam 27:1 אָֽמְרָה נַפֲשִׁי Lam 3:24 thence ׳א alone Gen 20:11; Gen 26:9; Num 24:11; Ruth 4:4; 1Sam 20:26; 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 12:22; 2Kgs 5:11 followed by clause with כִּי Judg 15:2 in particular = desire מַהתּֿאֹמַר נַפְשְׁךָ 1Sam 20:4 compare Esth 2:13 followed by infinitive = purpose, Exod 2:14 thinkest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian ? Josh 22:33; 1Sam 30:6; 1Kgs 5:19; 2Chr 28:10; 2Chr 28:13 expect 2Sam 21:16 he expected to slay David 2Chr 13:8; 2Chr 32:1.

3. Promise (followed by infinitive) 1Chr 27:23; 2Chr 21:7; Esth 4:7 (id. + ל of person) 2Kgs 8:19; Neh 9:15 (followed by accusative of direct object + ל of person + infinitive of purpose) Neh 9:23.

4. Command (especially late) followed by אֶלֿ of per-son addressed, Num 15:38; 1Chr 21:18 followed by ל Josh 11:9; 2Sam 16:11; 2Kgs 4:24; Job 9:7; Ps 106:34 (see below אֲשֶׁר 8 e); followed by infinitive 1Sam 24:11; 1Chr 21:17; 2Chr 1:18; 2Chr 29:27; 2Chr 29:30; 2Chr 31:11; 2Chr 35:21; Esth 1:17; Esth 4:13; Esth 4:15; Esth 6:1; Esth 9:14 followed by infinitive + ל of pers, 2Chr 14:3; 2Chr 29:21; 2Chr 31:4; followed by accusative direct object 2Chr 29:24 the king commanded the burnt-offering and the sin-offering, compare 1Kgs 5:20; Esth 2:15 followed by clause with אשׁר = that Neh 13:19 id. + ל of person vNeh 13:22 followed by clause with כִּי Job 36:10 absolute 1Sam 16:16 (read however probably יאמרו for יאמר, compare Dr); also Ps 105:31; Ps 105:34; Ps 107:25; 1Chr 14:12; 2Chr 24:8; Neh 13:9; Neh 13:19 (all followed by verb consecutive); command by letter עִםהַֿסֵּפֶר ׳א Esth 9:25 (followed by imperfect); appoint, assign לוֺ ׳לֶחֶם א 1Kgs 11:18 = threaten followed by infinitive Deut 9:25; Ps 106:23. Niph`al Perfect נֶאֱמַר Dan 8:26 Imperfect יֵאָמֵר Gen 22:14 +; יֵאָ֫מֶר לוֺ Isa 4:3 יֵאָמַ֑ר Gen 10:9 +; וַיֵּאָמַ֑ר Josh 2:2 be said, told Gen 10:9; Gen 22:14; Ps 87:5; Jer 4:11; Jer 16:14 (all absolute, indefinite subject, of current saying); so said in a book Num 21:14 be related, told, of vision Dan 8:26 said, told to (followed by ל indirect object) Josh 2:2; Hos 2:1 (twice in verse); Zeph 3:16 either so, or told concerning Num 23:23; Ezek 13:12 (אֶלֿ); יֵאָמֵר לָכֶם = ye shall be called (it shall be said to you) Isa 61:6 (|| תִּקָּרְאוּ), compare Isa 4:3; Isa 19:18; Isa 32:5 (|| יִקָּרֵא ל) Isa 62:4 (twice in verse); hence be called, of Tophet לֹאיֵֿאָמֵר עוֺד הַתֹּפֶת Jer 7:32 subject שֵׁם Gen 32:29; Job 34:31 כִּי אֶלאֵֿל הֶאָמַר, Rabb (compare AV) treat הֵאָמַר as Niph`al Infinitive for לְהֵאָמֵר, but against grammar; the form as it stands is Qal Perfect, אֶלאֵֿל being prefixed to the interrogative for emphasis (compare Jer 22:15; Jer 23:26; Neh 13:27), see Dr§ 9 Di and others; Hoffm., however, reads הֵאָמֵר infinitive absolute = imperative 'so must one speak (it be spoken) to God.' Hiph`il Perfect avow, avouch Deut 26:17 הֶאֱמַרְתָּ הַיּוֺם לִהְיוֺת לְךָ לֵאלֹהִים ׳אֶתיֿ; vDeut 26:18 ׳וי הֶאֱמִירְךָ היום להיות לוֺ לְעַם (literally cause to declare, i.e. through agency of Moses; on this & other interpretations see Di). Hithpa`el Imperfect יִתְאַמְּרוּ Ps 94:4 subject כָּלפֹּֿעֲלֵי אָ֑וֶן act proudly, boast (|| יַבִּיעוּ יְדַבְּרוּ עָתָק probably also 2 masculine plural תִּתְיַמָּ֑רוּ Isa 61:6 (in good sense, followed by בְּ of thing gloried in) ᵑ6 ᵑ9 ᵑ7 & compare ᵐ5; GesComm. so De Che i. 457 f. (from [ימר] exchange Thes Hi Kn Ew Di; but see ימר, מור).


BDB9309 H560 H559

BDB9308 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9310

אֲמַר71 verb say, tell, command (Biblical Hebrew אָמַר); —

Pe Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳א Dan 2:12 +, אֲמַ֑ר Dan 7:1 3 feminine singular אֲמֶ֫רֶר Dan 5:10 (K§ 38, 1 a); 1 singular אַמְרֵת Dan 4:5 1 plural אֲאַ֫רְנָא Dan 5:4; Dan 5:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵאמַר (K§ 41) Dan 2:7 +; 2 masculine plural תֵּאמְרוּן Jer 10:11, etc.; Imperative masculine singular אֱמַר Jer 2:4 +; masculine plural אֱמַרוּ Jer 2:9 Infinitive לְמֵאמַר vJer 2:9, לְמֵמַ֑ר Ezra 5:11 (K§ 41 a); Participle אְמַר Dan 2:5 + often, plural אָֽמְרִין Dan 3:4; Ezra 5:3 +; —
1. say (often in phrase answer and say): followed by oratio recta [direct speech] (only), Dan 2:7; Dan 2:10 + 13 t. Daniel; Ezra 5:11 + ל person Dan 2:5; Dan 3:14 + 14 t. Daniel [plural with indefinite subject for passive Dan 4:28], Ezra 5:15 + קְָדָס person Dan 2:9; Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14 + כֵּן Dan 4:11; Dan 7:23, כֵּן with ל person Ezra 5:8; Dan 2:24; Dan 2:25; Dan 6:7, compare Dan 7:5 + כְּנֵמָא with ל person Ezra 5:4; Ezra 5:9 + כִּדְנָךְ with ל person Jer 10:11 followed by accusative of thing + עַל person against whom Dan 3:29.
2. relate, tell: followed by accusative of thing Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15; Dan 7:1, + ל person Dan 2:4; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:7; Dan 7:16 (accusative of thing omitted), + קְָדָם person Dan 2:36; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:5.
3. command: followed by infinitive Dan 2:12; Dan 2:46 + 6 t. Daniel; followed by finite verb Dan 5:29; Dan 6:17; Dan 6:23 followed by ל person + or. rect. Dan 3:4 [pl. with indefinite subject, for passive, K§ 76 e, so Dan 4:23].

said, saying, saith, say, spake, …
ʾāmar
to say (used with great latitude)
  • to say, speak, utter
    • (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
    • "(Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called"(Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly"(Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

הַ קּוֹהֶ֖לֶת
הַ
Prefix — article the
קּוֹהֶ֖לֶת
Root word preacher
Dictionary form: קֹהֶלֶת · koh-heh-LET

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: the preacher
the preacher ×5 because the preacher ×1 of the preacher ×1
More options
Teacher — Most widely accepted modern rendering; fits Ecclesiastes' didactic tone.
Assembler — Reflects the root קהל ('to gather'); literal and etymological.
Convener — One who convenes an assembly; formal register, highlights role.
Philosopher — Captures the reflective, wisdom-seeking persona of the book.
Sage — Emphasizes wisdom tradition; concise and contemporary.
Speaker — Neutral; stresses address to an audience without religious overtone.

BDB7335 H6953

BDB7334 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB7336

קֹהֶ֫לֶת, ( קוֺהֶ֫לֶת Eccl 12:8) noun masculineEccl 1:2 collector (of sentences), or (AV RV) preacher (concionator Jerome: ἐκκλησιαστής ᵐ5 (member of an ἐκκλησία); feminine either of office, Ges«GKC:122r»§ 122r De Now Che, compare סֹפֶרֶת Ezra 2:55 , Khalif; German Majestät, Excellenz; or as in Arabic with intensive force, one realizing the idea in its completeness (compare great collector, deep investigator (formed like קֹהֶלֶת), WAG i. § 233 R. c. see DrIntr. 466; RVm great orator): hence either convener, or great collector (of sentences), compare בַּעֲלֵי אֲסֻפּוֺת Eccl 12:11, למעא דברי חפץ ׳בקּשׁ ק vEccl 12:10 (but Einl. 428 Drl.c. and others speaker in assembly, Plumptre debater)); — ׳ק a king in Jerusalem, son of David, probably = Solomon, the pseudonym of book of Ecclesiastes: Eccl 1:1, vEccl 1:2 (apposition of אֲנִי), called חכם Eccl 12:9 compare vEccl 12:10 ׳אמר ק Eccl 1:2, ׳אמר הק Eccl 12:8 = Eccl 7:27 for ᵑ0 ׳אמרה ק.

preacher
qōhelet
a (female) assembler (i.e., lecturer); abstractly, preaching (used as a 'nom de plume', Koheleth)
  • collector (of sentences), preacher, public speaker, speaker in an assembly, Qoheleth

הַ כֹּ֥ל
הַ
Prefix — article the
כֹּ֥ל
Root word all, every, any, whole, one, …
Dictionary form: כֹּל · kole

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: all
all ×1727 and all ×796 of all ×249 every ×158 in all ×133 according to all ×89 with all ×73 and every ×69
More options
all — Most versatile; fits nearly every syntactic context.
every — Prefer when distributing over individual items.
whole — Emphasizes totality or completeness of a single entity.
any — Best in negative, conditional, or open-ended clauses.
each — Highlights individuality within a set; more precise than 'every'.
entirely — Adverbial use; stresses completeness of an action.

BDB4037 H3605

BDB4036 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4038

כֹּל once כּוֺל (Jer 33:8 Kt.), noun masculine the whole, all (Moabite, Phoenician, id.; Aramaic כּוֺל, ; Arabic ; Sabean כל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; Ethiopic Assyrian kullatu) — absolute כֹּל, construct כֹּל Gen 2:5; Gen 2:16; Gen 2:20 + often, once כֹּלֿ Ps 138:2 (see Ba), but more usually כָּלֿ (with makk.: without it, Ps 35:10; Prov 19:7 i. 84, 95); suffix 2 masculine singular in p. כֻּלָּךְ Mic 2:12 2 feminine singular כֻּלֵּךְ Isa 14:29; Isa 14:31, כֻּלָּךְ Isa 22:1; Song 4:7 (perhaps for assonance with accompanying לָךְ, בָּךְ); 3 masculine singular כֻּלֹּה 2Sam 2:9 (see Dr) + 17 t. (never in Pentateuch), כֻּלּוֺ Gen 25:25 + 16 t.; 3 feminine singular כֻּלָּהּ Gen 13:10 + 15 t., כֻּלָּא Ezek 36:5 כֻּלָּנּו (16 t.); כֻּלְּכֶם (18 t.); כֻּלָּם (often), כּוּלָּם Jer 31:34, כֻּלָּ֑הַם 2Sam 23:6 (and probably Jer 15:10 כֻּלְּהֶם); 3 feminine plural כֻּלָּ֫נָה Gen 42:36; Prov 31:29 כֻּלָּֽהְנָה׃ 1Kgs 7:37: — the whole,

1. with following genitive (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, all or every:
  a. Gen 2:2 כָּלצְֿבָאָם the whole of their host, vGen 2:13 כָּלאֶֿרֶץ כּוּשׁ the whole of the land of Kush; כָּלהַֿלַּיְלָה the whole of the night; כָּליִֿשְׂרָאֵל the whole of Israel = all Israel; Deut 4:29 בְּכָללְֿבָֽבְךָ with the whole of thy heart = with all thy heart; + very often With a plural noun, usually determined by the article or a genitive: Gen 5:5 כליֿמי אדם the whole of (= all) the days of Adam, Gen 37:35 כלבֿניו the whole of (= all) his sons, Isa 2:2 כלהֿגוים all the nations; Gen 43:9 + often כל הימים = continually. In poetry, however, the noun may remain undetermined, כָּליָֿדַיִם the whole of hands = every hand, Isa 13:7; Jer 48:37; Ezek 21:12 כלפֿנים i.e. every face Isa 25:8; Joel 2:6 כל שׁלחנות Isa 28:8 כל חוצות Isa 51:20; Lam 2:19 and elsewhere Before an infinitive Gen 30:41; Deut 4:7; 1Kgs 8:52; 1Chr 23:31. frequently with suffixes, as (כֻּלֹּה) כֻּלּוֺ the whole of him Gen 25:25; Job 21:23; Song 5:16, the whole of it Lev 13:13; Jer 2:21; Nah 2:1; Prov 24:31 כֻּלָּהּ the whole of it Gen 13:10; Exod 19:18; Exod 25:36; Amos 8:8 כֻּלָּךְ all of thee Song 4:7 + (see at the beginning); כֻּלָּנוּ the whole of us Gen 42:11; Deut 5:3; Isa 53:6 (twice in verse); כֻּלְּכֶם Deut 1:22; Deut 4:4; 1Sam 22:7 (twice in verse); כֻּלָּם Gen 11:6; Gen 43:34; Josh 8:24 ויפלו כֻּלָּם, Judg 11:6 בְּיַד כֻּלָּם, Isa 7:19; Isa 31:3 + often — Twice, strangely, with hyperb. intensive force, Ps 39:6 כָּלהֶֿבֶל the whole of vanity are all men (? omit כל, as vPs 39:12), Ps 45:14 כָּלכְּֿבוּדָּה the whole of gloriousness is the king's daughter.
  b. followed often by a singular, to be understood collectively, whether with or without the article: Gen 1:21 את כל נפשׁ החיה the whole of living souls = every living soul, Gen 2:9 כל עץ נחמד למראה the whole of trees (every kind of tree) pleasant to view, Gen 6:12 + כָּלבָּֿשָׂר, Gen 7:14 כל צפור כל כנף all birds of every kind of wing (so Ezek 17:23), vEzek 17:21 כל האדם the whole of mankind (so Num 12:3; Num 16:29; Judg 16:17 and elsewhere); in poetry כלאֿדם Ps 39:6; Ps 64:10 +; 1Sam 14:52 כל אישׁ גבור וכלבֿןחֿיל, 1Sam 17:19; 1Sam 17:24 כל אישׁ ישׂראל, 1Sam 22:2; Isa 9:16 כל פה the whole of mouths = every mouth, Isa 15:2; Isa 24:10 כָּלבַּֿיִת + often (in Isa 2:12-16 the singular and plural interchange); Ps 7:12 + בכליֿום, Ps 10:5 + בכלעֿת = at all seasons. So כלהֿעץ Gen 1:29, כלהֿבן Exod 1:22 = all the sons, כלהֿמקום Exod 20:24; Deut 11:24 = all the places, כלהֿמרכב Lev 15:9, vLev 15:26; Deut 4:3 כלהֿאישׁ אשׁר = all the men who. . ., Deut 15:19 כלהֿבכור, Jer 4:29 כלהֿעיר עזובה all the cities (notice the following בָּהֶן); כלהֿיום = all the days (see יוֺם 7 f), etc. In late Hebrew extended to such phrases as בְּכָלדּֿוֺר וָדוֺר Ps 45:18; Ps 145:13; Esth 9:28 בכלעֿיר ועיר 2Chr 11:12; 2Chr 28:25; 2Chr 31:19; Esth 8:11; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:28; 2Chr 32:28; Esth 2:11; Esth 3:14; Esth 4:3; Esth 8:13; Esth 8:17; Esth 9:21; Esth 9:27; Esth 9:28 (3 t. in verse) (compare וְ 1 i b).
  c. the genitive after כל is often a relative sentence, introduced by אשׁר: Gen 1:31 את כל אשׁר עשׂה the whole of what he had made, Gen 7:22; Gen 13:1 + very often Sts., with a preposition, כל אשׁר has the force of wheresover, whithersoever, as Josh 1:7 בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ wheresoever thou goest, vJosh 1:16 אֶלכָּֿלאֲֿשֶׁר whithersoever (see אֲשֶׁר 4 b γ). Very rarely in such cases is there ellipse of the rel., as Gen 39:4 וְכָליֶֿשׁלֿוֺ נָתַן בְּיָדִי (contrast vGen 39:5 vGen 39:8), Exod 9:4 מכללֿבני ישׂראל, Isa 38:16 וּלְכָּלבָּֿהֶן חַיֵּי רוּחִי, Ps 71:18 לְכָליָֿבוֺא (Ps 74:3, see 2 a), 2Chr 32:31 peculiarly also in Chronicles (DrIntr 505), 1Chr 29:3 מִכָּלהֲֿכִינוֺתִי, 2Chr 30:18f.; Ezra 1:6 compare with כֹּל (2 a) 1Chr 29:11 a 2Chr 30:17; Ezra 1:5.
  d. with a suffix two idiomatic uses of כל have to be noticed:
   (a) כל is often made more independent and emphatic by being placed with a suffix after the word which it qualifies, to which it then stands in apposition (compare in Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic), as 2Sam 2:9 יִשְׂרָאֵל כֻּלּהֹ, Jer 13:19; Jer 48:31; Isa 9:8; Isa 14:29; Isa 14:31 פלשׁת כלך Philistia, all of thee ! Mic 2:12; Hab 2:6; Job 34:13; Ps 67:4; Ps 67:6 especially in Ezekiel, as Ezek 14:5; Ezek 29:2 מצרים כֻּלָּהּ Ezek 32:12; Ezek 32:30 with change of person (compare the idiom in Isa 22:16; Isa 48:1; Isa 54:1 etc.), 1Kgs 22:28 = Mic 1:2 שׁמעו עמים כלם Hear, nations, all of them ! Mal 3:9 הַגּוֺי כֻּלּוֺ. So even with כל preceding: Num 16:3 כָּלהָֿעֵדָה כֻּלָּם, Isa 14:18; Jer 30:16; Ezek 11:15 כל בית ישׂראל כֻּלֹּה the whole of the house of Israel, the whole of it (so Ezek 20:40; Ezek 36:10), Ezek 35:15; Ezek 36:5; Ps 8:8 (compare Sabean DHMl.c.);
   (b) with the suffix of 3 masculine singular, understood as referring to the mass of things or persons meant, כֻּלֹּה or כֻּלּוֺ, literally the whole of it, is equivalent to all of them, every one, Exod 14:7 and captains עַלכֻּֿלּוֺ upon the whole of it (the רֶכֶב collectively) = all of them, Isa 1:23 the whole of it (the people) loveth bribes, Isa 9:16; Isa 15:3; Jer 6:13 (twice in verse); Jer 8:6; Jer 8:10 (twice in verse); Jer 20:7; Hab 1:9; Hab 1:15; Ps 29:9 and in his temple כֻּלּוֺ אֹמֵר כָּבוֺד the whole of it (= every one there) says, Glory ! Ps 53:4 (|| Ps 14:3 הַכֹּל); perhaps Isa 16:7; Jer 48:38 + Prov 19:6 Ew Hi (וְכֻלּהֹ רֵעַ): Jer 15:10 read כֻּלְּהֶם קִלֲלוּנִי.
  e. Hebrew idiom in certain cases affirms, or denies, of an entire class, where English idiom affirms, or denies, of an individual of the class; thus in a comparative or hypothetical sentence כל is = any, and with a negative = none:
   (a) Gen 3:1 the serpent was more subtil מכל חית השׂדה than all beasts of the field (in our idiom: than any beast of the field), Deut 7:7; 1Sam 9:2
   (b) Lev 4:2 a soul when it sins through ignorance מכל מצות יי֞ in all the commandments of Jehovah (= in any of the commandments, etc.), Lev 19:23 when ye . . . plant כלעֿץ מאכל = any tree for food, Num 35:22 or if he have cast upon him כָּלכְּֿלִי = any weapon, 1Kgs 8:37 b; joined with a participle in a hypothetical sense (Dr§ 121 n. Ges«GKC:116»§ 116. 5 R. 5), Gen 4:14 כל מצאי all my finders (= if any one find me), he will slay me, vGen 4:15 a Num 21:8 כָּלהַֿנָּשׁוּךְ = whosoever (= if any one) is bitten, 1Sam 2:13
   (c) with a negative, Gen 2:5 all plants of the field טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה were not as yet = no plant of the field as yet was, Gen 4:15 b לבלתי הכותאֿתו כלמֿצאו for the not-smiting him of all finding him = that none finding him should smite him, Exod 10:15 ולאנֿותר כל ירק = and no green things were left, Exod 12:16 כלמֿלאכה לא יעשׂה all work shall not be done = no work shall be done, Deut 28:14; Judg 13:4 אַלתּֿאֹכְלִי כָּלטָֿמֵא eat not of all that is unclean, Judg 19:19 אֵין מַחְסוֺר כָּלדָּֿבָר there is no lack of all things i.e. of any thing, Ps 143:2 כי לאיֿצדק לפניך כלחֿי, + very often (so οὐ πᾶς, as a Hebraism, in the N.T., e.g. Mark 13:20 οὐκ ἂν ἐσώθη πᾶσα σάρξ, Luke 1:37 οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει . . . πᾶν ρἧμα, as Jer 32:17 לֹאיִֿפָּלֵא מִמְּךָ כָּלדָּֿבָר, Gal 2:16 οὐ δικαιωθήσεται . . . πᾶσα σάρξ, etc.) Usually, in such cases, כל (or its genitive) is without the article, being left purposely indefinite: in Ps 49:18 (2 b a) הַכֹּל is emphatic (in Num 23:13 וְכֻלּוֺ לֹא תִרְאֶה the context shews that כֹּל is opposed to a part). feminine very anomalously, severed from its genitive, 2Sam 1:9 כִּיכָֿלעֿוֺד נַפְשִׁי בִי, Job 27:3 כִּיכָֿלעֿוֺד נִשְׁמָתִי בִי, Hos 14:3 (si vera lectio) כָּלתִּֿשָּׂא עָוֺן. On Eccl 5:15 ׳כָּלעֻֿמַּתשֶֿׂ see עֻמָּה.

Note. — When the genitive after כל is a noun feminine or plural, the predicate usually agrees with this (as being the really important idea), e.g. Gen 5:5 ויהיו כל ימי אדם, Num 14:1 וַתִּשָּׂא כָלהָֿעֵדָה, Nah 3:1; Ps 150:6 כָֹּל הַנְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל exceptions being very rare, Isa 64:10b Prov 16:2 (Ges«GKC:141»§ 141. 1 R. 2).
2. Absolutely:
  a. without the article, all things, all (mostly neuter, but sometimes masculine), the sense in which 'all' is to be taken being gathered from the context, Gen 9:3 נתתי לכם את כֹּל, Gen 16:12 וְיַד כֹּל בּוֺ, Gen 20:16 ואת כֹּל ונוכחת, Gen 33:11 וכי ישׁ לי כֹל, Num 8:16 בכור כֹּל מבני ישׂראל, Num 11:6 אֵין כֹּל nought of all things ! = there is nothing (so 2Sam 12:3; Prov 13:7, compare 2Kgs 4:2), 2Kgs 13:2 כֹּ֖ל נשׂיא בהם (compare 2Sam 23:28; 1Chr 3:9: usually so הַכֹּל), Deut 28:47 מֵרֹב כֹּל, vDeut 28:48 vDeut 28:37 בְּחֹסֶר כֹּל (compare Jer 44:18), Isa 30:5 כֹּל הֹבִאישׁ all exhibit shame, Isa 44:24 עשֶֹׁהכֹּֿל ׳י, Jer 44:12 וְתַמּוּ כֹל (unusual), Zeph 1:2; Ps 8:7; Ps 74:3 (read כֹּל הֵרַע), Ps 145:15 עיני כֹל, Prov 16:4; Prov 26:10; Prov 28:5; Job 13:1 הן כֹּל ראתה עיני, Job 42:2; 1Chr 29:11b 2Chr 32:22 (masculine), Dan 11:37 (see also 1 c end); מִכֹּל Gen 6:19; Gen 6:20b שְׁנַיִם מִכֹּל, Gen 14:20; Gen 27:33; Jer 17:9 עקוב הלב מִכֹּל, Dan 11:2 (masculine) After a negative = anything, Deut 4:25 תְּמוּנַת כֹּל the likeness of anything, Deut 8:9; Deut 28:55; Prov 30:30. In the genitive also, very rarely, to express the idea of all as comprehensively as possible: Ezek 44:30 כָּלבִּֿכּוּרֵי כֹל וְכָלתְּֿרוּמַת כֹּל; Ps 119:128 (si vera lectio) כָּלפִּֿקּוּדֵי כֹל all the statutes about everthing.
  b. with art. הַכֹּל:
   (a) where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned, Exod 29:24 ושׂמת הַכֹּל ביד אהרן, Lev 1:9 והקטיר הכהן את הַכֹּל, vLev 1:13; Lev 8:27; Deut 2:36 לפנינו ׳את הַכֹּל נתן י, Josh 11:19 (compare 2Sam 19:31; 1Kgs 14:26 = 2Chr 12:9), 2Chr 21:43 הַכֹּל בָּא (compare 2Chr 23:14), 1Sam 30:19 הַכֹּל השׁיב דוד, 2Sam 17:3 (corrupt: see ᵐ5 Dr), 2Sam 24:23 (1Chr 21:23), 1Kgs 6:18 הַכֹּל ארז (compare 1Kgs 7:33; 2Kgs 25:17 = Jer 52:22), 2Kgs 24:16 הַכֹּל גבורים, Isa 65:8 לבלתי השׁחית הַכֹּל, Ps 14:3 or implied, Gen 16:12 יָדוֺ בַכֹּל, Gen 24:1 ברך את אברהם בַּכֹּל 2Sam 23:5 (poetry) עֲרֻכָה בַכֹּל, Isa 29:11 (peculiarly) חָזוּת הַכֹּל the vision of the whole, Jer 13:7; Jer 13:10 לא יצלח לַכֹּל, Ezek 7:14 וְהָכִין הַכֹּל (but Co וְהָכִינוּ הָכֵן), Ps 49:18 לא במותו יקח הַכֹּל: more frequently later, namely 1Chr 7:5 (as regards all), 1Chr 28:19; 1Chr 29:19; 2Chr 28:6; 2Chr 29:28; 2Chr 31:5; 2Chr 35:7; 2Chr 36:17; 2Chr 36:18; Ezra 1:11; Ezra 2:42; Ezra 8:34; Ezra 8:35; Ezra 10:17 (וַיְכַלּוּ בַכֹּל: see BeRy), Eccl 5:8 (בַּכֹּל, apparently = in all respects), Eccl 10:19; Eccl 12:13.
   (b) in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe (τὸ πᾶν), or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late), Jer 10:16 = Jer 51:19 כי יוצר הַכֹּל הוא, Ps 103:19 (compare 1Chr 29:12), 1Chr 119:21 הַכֹּל עֲבָדֶיךָ, 1Chr 145:9 לַכֹּל ׳טוֺב י, 1Chr 29:12; 1Chr 29:14; 1Chr 29:16; Dan 11:2, and especially in Ecclesiastes, as Eccl 1:2; Eccl 1:14; Eccl 2:11; Eccl 2:17; Eccl 3:19; Eccl 12:8 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, Eccl 2:16 הכל נשׁכח, Eccl 3:1 לַכֹּל זְמָן, vEccl 3:11 vEccl 3:19 vEccl 3:20; Eccl 6:6; Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:1; Eccl 9:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 9:3; Eccl 10:3; Eccl 10:19; Eccl 11:5. כַּכֹּל, Job 24:24 (si vera lectio) כַּכֹּל יִקָָּֽפְצוּן like all men (i.e. like men in general).


BDB9612 H3605 H3606 H6903

BDB9611 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9613

כֹּל, כָּלֿ: noun masculine the whole, all (Biblical Hebrew כֹּל); — emphatic כֹּלָּא Dan 2:40 +, construct כֹּל Dan 2:12; Dan 3:2 +, כָּלֿ Dan 2:8 +, suffix 3 masculine plural כָּלְּהוֺן (so Palmyrene Lzb296 CookeNo. 117, Tariff ii.c.19 ii b. 18) Dan 2:38; Dan 7:19 (Qr feminine כָּכְּהֵּן); —

1. כֹּל חַכִּימֵי בָבֶכ the whole of ( = all) the wise men of B. Dan 3:2; Dan 3:3; Dan 3:5, etc.; Dan 6:2 כלמֿלכותא the whole ofthe kingdom, v.Dan 6:4 with suffix the whole of them, Dan 2:38; Dan 7:19.
2. with a singular noun, understood collectively, every, any, or with a negative none (Biblical Hebrew 1 b):Dan 3:29 דִּי כָלעַֿם אֻמָּה וְלִשָּׁן that every people, nation, and language, etc., Dan 6:8 מִןכָּֿלאֱֿלָה of any god, Ezra 6:12 כָּלמֶֿלֶח וְעַם; כל אנשׁ די every man who = whoever, Dan 3:10; Dan 5:7; Dan 6:13; Ezra 6:11; Dan 2:10 שׁאל כל מלך ֗֗֗ לא no king hath asked . . ., vDan 2:35; Dan 4:6; Dan 6:5; Dan 6:24 so כָּלדִּֿי (= Hebrew כָּלאְִֿשֶׁר) whoever Dan 6:8; Ezra 7:26, whatever vEzra 7:23, בְּכָלדִּֿי wherever Dan 2:38(compare אְִשֶׁר 4 b γ).
3. emphatic כֹּלָּא, used absolutely, as Hebrew הַכֹּל (Biblical Hebrew 2 b): Dan 2:40 חָשֵׁל כֹּלָּא crushing all things, Dan 4:9; Dan 4:18 וּמָזוֺן לְכֹלָּאבֵֿהּ and food for all was in it, v.Dan 4:25 כֹּלָּא מְטָא all came upon N. (compare חַכֹּל בָּא Josh 21:43), Ezra 5:7 שְׁלָמָא כֹלָּא all peace (K§ 83 d;) compare in Hebrew כֻּלּוּ etc., after their noun : Biblical Hebrew 1 d a). — For כָּלקְָֿבֵל see קְָבֵל.

all, every, any, whole, one, …
kōl
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
  • all, the whole
    • all, the whole of
    • "any, each, every, anything"totality, everything

הָֽבֶל
הָֽבֶל
Root word vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
Dictionary form: הֶבֶל · heh-BEL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: is vanity
vanity ×17 is vanity ×15 are vanity ×6 in vain ×4 of vanities ×4 vanities ×3 of thy vanity ×2 to anger with their vanities ×2
More options
emptiness — Captures the hollow, void quality; broadly applicable.
futility — Emphasizes pointlessness of effort; strong in Ecclesiastes.
vapor — Retains the literal breath/mist image; vivid and poetic.
illusion — Stresses deceptive unreality; good for idol or false-hope contexts.
fleeting breath — Highlights brevity and transience; suits existential passages.
worthlessness — Blunter register; effective when contempt or judgment is implied.

BDB2041 H1892

BDB2040 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB2042

I. הֶ֫בֶל73 noun masculine vapour, breath (Late Hebrew id., Syriac id.) figurative vanity (so Late Hebrew, Syriac ) — הָ֑בֶל Eccl 1:2 +; construct הֲבֵל Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8, suffix הֶבְלִי etc. Eccl 6:12; Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9 (twice in verse); plural הֲבָלִים Jer 10:8 +; construct הַבְלֵי Jer 8:19 +, suffix הַבְלֵיהֶם Deut 32:21 +; —

1. literal Isa 57:13 all of them (the idols) יִשָּׂארֿוּחַ יִקַּח הָ֑בֶל a breath (ᵑ9 aura) will carry away, Prov 21:6 the getting of treasures by a lying tongue is הֶבֶל נִדָּף a vapour driven away. Elsewhere always
2. figurative of what is evanescent, unsubstantial, worthless, vanity, as of idols Jer 10:15 = Jer 51:18; Jer 16:19 הֶבֶל וְאֵין בָּם מוֺעִיל || (שֶׁקֶרׅ, heathen observances Jer 10:3, and in phrase הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי הַהֶבֶל Jer 2:5; 2Kgs 17:15; Prov 13:11 הוֺן מֵהֶבֶל wealth (gotten) out of vanity, (i.e. not by solid toil, opposed to קֹבֵץ עַל יָד) is minished (but ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Ew מְבֹהָל, see Prov 20:21 Qr), Prov 31:30 שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּ֑פִי, Lam 4:17 אֶל עֶזְרָתֵנוּ הֶבֶל to our vain (Dr§ 193 n.) help; of life Job 7:16 כִּי הֶבֶל יָמָֽי׃, Ps 78:33 וַיְכַל בַּהֶבֶל יְמֵיהֶם consumed their days as (בְּ I:7 d vanity, man Ps 39:6; Ps 39:12; Ps 62:10 הֶבֶל בְּנֵי אָדָם ֗֗֗ הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָ˜חַד׃ they are altogether (made) of vanity, Ps 94:11; Ps 144:4, especially in Ecclesiastes (31 t. + הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8) of the fruitlessness of all human enterprise and endeavour, Eccl 1:2 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, vEccl 1:14 הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ all was vanity and the pursuit of wind, Eccl 2:1; Eccl 2:14; Eccl 2:15 etc., Eccl 6:4 (of an abortion) בַּהֶבֶל בָּא i.e. into a lifeless existence, vEccl 6:11 יֵשׁ דְּבָרִים הַרְבֵּה מַרְבִּים הָ֑בֶל (of discussions leading to no result), note also the phrases יְמֵי (הֶבְלוֺ, הֶבְלְךָ) הֶבְלִי Eccl 7:15; Eccl 9:9, ׳יְמֵי חַיֵּי ה Eccl 6:12; Eccl 9:9; Job 27:12 (see הָבַל), Isa 49:4 לְתֹהוּ וָהֶבֶל for nought and vanity have I spent my strength; as adverb accusative vainly, to no purpose Isa 30:7 הֶבֶל וָרִיק יַעֲזֹ֑רוּ, Ps 39:7 אַךְ הֶבֶל יֶהֱמָיוּן they disquiet themselves to no purpose, Job 9:29: הֶבֶל אִיגָָֽע Job 35:16, with נִחַם to comfort Job 21:34; Zech 10:2. Plural הֲבָלִים of false gods, Deut 32:21 ) כִּעֲסוּנִי בְהַבְלֵיהֶם || בְּלֹאאֵֿל) 1Kgs 16:13; 1Kgs 16:26; Jer 8:19 הַבְלֵי נֵכָר || (בִּפְסִילֵיהֶםׅ, Jer 10:8; Jer 14:22 הַבְלֵי הַגּוֺיִם, Ps 31:7 הַשֹּׁמְרִים הַבְלֵישָֿׁוְא empty vanities Jonah 2:9 in more general sense Eccl 1:2 (twice in verse); Eccl 12:8 הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים, Eccl 5:6.

vanity, vanities, vain, altogether
hebel
emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb
  • vapour, breath
    • breath, vapour
    • "vanity (figuratively)
    (adv) vainly

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.
הֲבֵ֧ל הֲבָלִ֛ים Tevir — a lesser break אָמַ֥ר הַקּוֹהֶ֖לֶת Tipeha — a lesser break הַכֹּ֥ל הָֽבֶל Silluq — end of the verse

הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר הַקּוֹהֶלֶת הַכֹּל הָֽבֶל׃
8
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
Cross References

Ecclesiastes 1:2

הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר קֹהֶלֶת הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים הַכֹּל הָֽבֶל׃
2
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

אֵין אָדָם שַׁלִּיט בָּרוּחַ לִכְלוֹא אֶת-הָרוּחַ וְאֵין שִׁלְטוֹן בְּיוֹם הַמָּוֶת וְאֵין מִשְׁלַחַת בַּמִּלְחָמָה וְלֹֽא-יְמַלֵּט רֶשַׁע אֶת-בְּעָלָֽיו׃
8
There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

רָאִיתִי אֶת-כָּל-הַֽמַּעֲשִׂים שֶֽׁנַּעֲשׂוּ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃
14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 6:12

כִּי מִֽי-יוֹדֵעַ מַה-טּוֹב לָֽאָדָם בַּֽחַיִּים מִסְפַּר יְמֵי-חַיֵּי הֶבְלוֹ וְיַעֲשֵׂם כַּצֵּל אֲשֶׁר מִֽי-יַגִּיד לָֽאָדָם מַה-יִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָיו תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃
12
For who knoweth what is good for man in this 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?

Psalms 62:9

אַךְ׀ הֶבֶל בְּנֵֽי-אָדָם כָּזָב בְּנֵי אִישׁ בְּמֹאזְנַיִם לַעֲלוֹת הֵמָּה מֵהֶבֶל יָֽחַד׃
9
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

וְשָׂנֵאתִי אֶת-הַחַיִּים כִּי רַע עָלַי הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ כִּֽי-הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃
17
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

וְרָאִיתִֽי אֲנִי אֶת-כָּל-עָמָל וְאֵת כָּל-כִּשְׁרוֹן הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה כִּי הִיא קִנְאַת-אִישׁ מֵרֵעֵהוּ גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃
4
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.