Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Vanity is shown in mankind, the elements, and all that moves on earth; the same course is repeated again and again without any permanent result or real progress; and events and people alike are forgotten.
Abideth - The apparent permanence of the earth increases by contrast the transitory condition of its inhabitants.
Ever - The word does not here absolutely signify "eternity" (compare Ecclesiastes 3:11 note), but a certainly short period (compare Exodus 21:6): here it might be paraphrased "as long as this world, this present order of things, lasts."
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Ecclesiastes 1:4:
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Ecclesiastes 12:5
Isaiah 53:8
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