What does it mean that everything is meaningless?

Answer

The book of Ecclesiastes begins with a striking declaration:

“‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’

says the Teacher.

‘Utterly meaningless!

Everything is meaningless’” «Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. », (Ecclesiastes 1:2).

Other translations use the word vanity or futility instead of meaningless. The message remains the same: Solomon, in his old age, has concluded that everything in this world is empty and lacks meaning. This sentiment becomes the central theme of the entire book.

Describing everything as meaningless may sound bleak, but we must consider Solomon’s perspective. This is evident in Ecclesiastes 1:14: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” The recurring phrase is “under the sun,” emphasizing an earthly viewpoint. Solomon is presenting a perspective limited to life lived solely on earth, without any regard for God. From this godless standpoint, indeed, everything is “meaningless.”

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon explores ten vanities—ten aspects that are “meaningless” when viewed from the narrow perspective of “under the sun.” Without God, human wisdom is meaningless (2:14–16); toil (2:18–23); accumulation of possessions (2:26); life itself (3:18–22); rivalry (4:4); self-centered labor (4:7–8); authority and power (4:16); greed (5:10); riches and fame (6:1–2); and superficial religion (8:10–14).

When Solomon asserts, “Everything is meaningless,” he is not suggesting that everything in the world lacks value. Rather, he is emphasizing that all human endeavors without God’s guidance are meaningless. Solomon had experienced it all and had pursued everything, yet he realized that true fulfillment comes from aligning with God’s will.When he left God out of the equation, nothing satisfied him. There is purpose in life, and it is found in knowing God and keeping His commands. That’s why Solomon ends his book this way:

“Now all has been heard;

here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

for this is the duty of all mankind” «Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. », (Ecclesiastes 12:13).