There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
There's no end to all the people, all those who came before and all those who will come after. Yet even the people who come later won't be happy with him either. This too is meaningless and deeply frustrating.
The writer is saying that even popular leaders will eventually be forgotten and replaced, showing how fleeting human fame and approval really are.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon during the golden age of Israel's monarchy, the author reflects on the emptiness of human pursuits under the sun. This verse continues a discussion about the rise and fall of leaders, showing how even a once-popular king is forgotten by future generations, just as those before him were. It fits into the broader biblical narrative of wisdom literature that grapples with the fleeting nature of earthly success in ancient Near Eastern culture.
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