Is life vanity? Reinterpreting the Qoheleth’s elusive use of Hevel in Ecclesiastes

Over the years, translation of hevel as “vanity” has had great influence in history exegesis Ecclesiastes. This present author often heard or seen preachers use text under study to caution people about life and acquisition riches. Often have used this call their audience “abandoned resignation”; since for them, Qoheleth’s statements connote that all occurs sun is “vanity”. paper tries critically reexamine how Qoheleth uses word, Ecclesiastes order understand essence book. The methodologies adopted are historical-critical analysis grammatical-historical approaches. findings show does with a variety nuances. However, basic meaning word “vapor”, “breath” but sometimes context points “temporary” “ungraspable”. Thus, may not been pessimistic only disturbed life’s light its ephemeral transient nature. ended by recommending should be passive life. Life can meaningful enjoyable when obey God’s laws fear Him.