Psalm 144:4


Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a shadow that passes away.

Psalm 102:11


My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes [with the sun];
And as for me, I wither away like grass.

Job 8:9


“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

Psalm 109:23


I am vanishing like a shadow when it lengthens and fades;
I am shaken off like the locust.

2 Samuel 14:14

For we will certainly die and are like water that is spilled on the ground and cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not [simply] take away life, but devises plans so that the one who is banished is not driven away from Him.

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining].

Job 4:19


‘How much more [will He blame and charge] those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay,
Whose foundations are in the dust,
Who are crushed like a moth.

Job 14:1-3

“Man, who is born of a woman,
Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Psalm 39:5-6


“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah.

Psalm 39:11


“With rebukes You discipline man for sin;
You consume like a moth what is precious to him;
Surely every man is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]. Selah.

Psalm 62:9


Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion).
In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value];
They are together lighter than a breath.

Psalm 89:47


Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;
For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!

Psalm 103:15-16


As for man, his days are like grass;
Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

Ecclesiastes 1:2


“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it will not be well for the evil man, nor will he lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

Ecclesiastes 12:8

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Bible References

Man

Psalm 39:5

“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah.
Psalm 62:9

Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion).
In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value];
They are together lighter than a breath.
Psalm 89:47

Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;
For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!
Job 4:19

‘How much more [will He blame and charge] those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay,
Whose foundations are in the dust,
Who are crushed like a moth.
Job 14:1
“Man, who is born of a woman,
Is short-lived and full of turmoil.
Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”
Ecclesiastes 12:8
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”

His days

Psalm 102:11

My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes [with the sun];
And as for me, I wither away like grass.
Psalm 103:15

As for man, his days are like grass;
Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
Psalm 109:23

I am vanishing like a shadow when it lengthens and fades;
I am shaken off like the locust.
2 Samuel 14:14
For we will certainly die and are like water that is spilled on the ground and cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not [simply] take away life, but devises plans so that the one who is banished is not driven away from Him.
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining].
Job 8:9

“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].
Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it will not be well for the evil man, nor will he lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

General references

Ecclesiastes 1:2

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”