Vanity, Vanities
Vanity, Vanities
vani-ti, vani-tiz (, hebhel, , ‘awen, , shaw’; , kenos; , mataiotes): The words vain, vanity, vanities are frequent in the Bible. Their idea is almost exclusively that of evanescence, emptiness, including idolatry and wickedness as being not only evil but vain and empty things. They also signify falseness. The chief word translated vanity, vanities is hebhel, a breath of air, or of the mouth, often applied to idolatry (Deu 32:21; 1Ki 16:13; Psa 31:6; Jer 8:19, etc.); to man’s days and to man himself (Job 7:16; Psa 39:5, Psa 39:11, etc.); to man’s thoughts (Psa 94:11); to wealth and treasures (Pro 13:11; Pro 21:6); to everything, in Ecclesiastes, where the word occurs frequently in various applications: Vanity of vanities, all is vanity (Ecc 1:2; Ecc 12:8). Hebhel is also the name of Adam’s second son (Gen 4:2). ‘Awen, meaning also breath, is likewise translated vanity in similar connections, but it inclines more to iniquity (so often rendered); it is joined with mischief and iniquity (Isa 41:29; Isa 58:9; Zec 10:2); another frequent word is shaw’, having also the idea of falsity,… wickedness (Exo 20:7; Deu 5:11; Psa 31:6, etc.).
Vanity does not often occur in the New Testament; but see VAIN, VAINGLORY. In Act 14:15 we have mataios, empty, translated vanities (of idols); mataiotes, emptiness, transitoriness (Rom 8:20, The creation was subjected to vanity, frailty, transitoriness); emptiness, folly (Eph 4:17; 2Pe 2:18).
Among other changes for vanity the Revised Version (British and American) has iniquity (Job 15:35; Psa 10:7); falsehood (Psa 12:2; Psa 41:6); deceit (Psa 144:8, Psa 144:11); vapor (Pro 21:6); calamity (Pro 22:8 margin vanity); a breath (Isa 57:13); wickedly (Isa 58:9). Conversely, for Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? (Psa 89:47), For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!; for Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing (Isa 41:29), Behold, all of them, their works are vanity and nought, margin as the King James Version, with nought for nothing.