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.

ECCLESIASTES 1:9KJV
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Ecclesiastes 1:9 (KJV)

What does Ecclesiastes 1:9 mean?

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says that what has happened before will happen again, and what has been done will be done again; there is nothing truly new in the world. The verse points out the repeating patterns of life and history, suggesting that human experiences and actions are not as unique or original as they might seem.

The speaker is traditionally understood to be Solomon, writing as "the Preacher" to a general audience, reflecting on the nature of life under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9 is part of a larger introduction where the author observes the cycles of nature and human activity, emphasizing the limits of human achievement and novelty.

The Hebrew behind Ecclesiastes 1:9

  • "done" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word means "to do" or "to make." Its repetition in the verse highlights the ongoing, repetitive nature of human actions, underlining that what people accomplish is not fundamentally different from what has been done before.
  • "new" (חָדָשׁ, chadash): This word means "new" or "fresh." The verse uses it to challenge the idea that anything people experience or create is truly original, stressing the theme of life's repetitive cycles.
  • "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): This word refers to the literal sun. The phrase "under the sun" is a key idea in Ecclesiastes, meaning "in earthly life" or "in this world," and it frames the entire discussion as focused on human experience apart from the divine.

Why Ecclesiastes 1:9 matters

  • Ecclesiastes 1:9 helps correct the idea that human progress or creativity is ever completely unprecedented, reminding readers that history and experience often repeat themselves.
  • The verse sets the tone for the rest of Ecclesiastes, where the author explores the limits of wisdom, pleasure, and achievement, and questions where true meaning can be found.
  • The phrase "under the sun" signals that the observations are about life from a human, earthly perspective, not necessarily from God's eternal viewpoint, which is important for understanding the book's sometimes skeptical tone.

Where else these words appear

“new” Hebrew H2319 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
  • 2 Samuel 21:16 And Ishbibenob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
  • Isaiah 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.