Following the last large section of text (11.7–12.7), this verse serves as an important discourse marker in the whole literary work. With 1.2 it forms an inclusion or bracket around the entire work of Qoheleth, so that we hear the same vanity (hevel) refrain both at the beginning and the end of the text. The use of inclusion is a typical feature of Hebrew literature, but here this stylistic device is used to “frame” a much larger unit, a whole book. Thus this short statement is the sign that Qoheleth’s discussion, which began in 1.2, is now completed. He rounds off the entire discussion by quoting the opening saying.

Detailed comments on this saying are found in 1.2.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .