Ecclesiastes 4:16 
Context| NET © | There is no end to all the people 1 nor to the past generations, 2 yet future generations 3 will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like 4 chasing the wind. |
| NIV © | There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
| NASB © | There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. |
| NLT © | He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind. |
| MSG © | Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can't you see it's only smoke? And spitting into the wind? |
| BBE © | There was no end of all the people, of all those whose head he was, but they who come later will have no delight in him. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind. |
| NRSV © | there was no end to all those people whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
| NKJV © | There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind. |
| KJV | |
| NASB © | There <0369> is no <0369> end <07093> to all <03605> the people <05971> , to all <03605> who <0834> were before <06440> them, and even <01571> the ones <0314> who <0314> will come <0314> later <0314> will not be happy <08055> with him, for this <02088> too <01571> is vanity <01892> and striving <07475> after wind .<07307> |
| HEBREW | |
| LXXM | |
| NET © [draft] ITL | |
| NET © | There is no end to all the people 1 nor to the past generations, 2 yet future generations 3 will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like 4 chasing the wind. |
| NET © Notes |
1 tn Heb “the people.” The term עַם (’am, “people”) can refer to the subjects of the king (BDB 766 s.v. עַם 2). 2 tn Heb “those who were before them.” 3 tn Heb “those coming after.” The Hebrew term הָאַחֲרוֹנִים (ha’akharonim, “those coming after”) is derived from the preposition אַחַר (’akhar, “behind”). When used in reference to time, it refers to future generations (e.g., Deut 29:21; Pss 48:14; 78:4, 6; 102:19; Job 18:20; Eccl 1:11; 4:16); cf. HALOT 36 s.v. אַחַר B.3; BDB 30 s.v. אַחַר 2.b). 4 tn The word “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity. |
