OET interlinear ECC 1:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

הֲבֵ֤ל הֲבָלִים֙ & הֲבֵ֥ל הֲבָלִ֖ים

vanity_of vanities & vanity_of vanities

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The second emphasizes the meaning of the first by repeating the same idea with the same words. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could convey this meaning in a single sentence, as modeled by the UST.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

הֲבֵ֤ל הֲבָלִים֙

vanity_of vanities

Qoheleth is using Vapor of vapors as an expression of the culture that means “supremely fleeting and insubstantial.” If this phrase does not have that meaning for your readers, you could use a comparable expression from your language that does have that meaning, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Utterly temporary]

Note 3 topic: writing-quotations

אָמַ֣ר קֹהֶ֔לֶת

he/it_had_said teacher

The phrase says Qoheleth introduces a direct quotation. In your translation, use a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. It may not be necessary to represent this phrase explicitly.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הַ⁠כֹּ֥ל הָֽבֶל

(the),everything Abel

Here, Qoheleth uses the expression the whole to refer to human experience of being alive. He likens human life to vapor that quickly disappears. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Our lives are entirely fleeting]