Vanity
“Breath, vapor, or emptiness”
Summary
Vanity in Scripture refers not to self-conceit but to emptiness, futility, and transience—applied to the unsatisfying nature of worldly pursuits, the worthlessness of idols, and the fleeting character of human existence.
☩Biblical Meaning
In Scripture, vanity does not usually denote self-conceit or personal pride but rather emptiness and fruitlessness. The Hebrew hebel, rendered 'vanity,' fundamentally means 'breath' or 'vapor,' signifying what is passing and transient. The Greek mataiotes expresses futility or fruitlessness, denoting absence of aim or purpose unfulfilled. The term is applied to this world as unsatisfying, to lying and falsehood, to idols, and to whatever disappoints human hopes.
☩What Is Called Vain
Scripture applies the term 'vanity' broadly. Man at his best estate is vanity, as are his days, thoughts, and beauty. Worldly wisdom, pleasure, anxiety, labor, enjoyment, and possessions are all declared vain. Heaping up riches, especially by falsehood, is vanity. The conduct of the ungodly, the religion of hypocrites, the worship of the wicked, lying words, false teaching, mere external religion, almsgiving without love, and faith without works—all are vanity. Idolatry is particularly characterized as vanity, since idols are empty nothings that cannot help or save.
☩Theological Significance
Paul declares that 'the creation was subjected to vanity' (Romans 8:20), meaning the present existence is characterized by disappointing unfulfilled aims and frailty. This subjection awaits the redemption when creation will be liberated into the glorious freedom of God's children. The word expresses either absence of purpose or failure to attain any true purpose. Saints are called to hate thoughts of vanity, pray to be kept from it, and avoid those given to it. The ungodly, by contrast, love vanity, imagine it, devise it, speak it, and live in it.
Related Verses119 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Vanity," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Vanity," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.American Tract Society, "Vanity," in American Tract Society Bible Dictionary (American Tract Society, 1859).