Read the Bible

KJV dictionary & concordance

vain

Meaning of “vain”

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Definition sources

KJV context and cross-references
112 occurrences102 verses34 booksKJV PCE

Some verses contain the word more than once.

First occurrence: Exodus 5:9

Complete exact-word concordance

Every verse containing “vain”

KJV PCE

Remembering a verse with different wording? Find a verse across the Bible →

Showing verses 1–10 of 102 · 112 word occurrences in this result

Exodus 5:9
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Exodus 5:9 · retained source text

Let there more worke be layde vpon the men, that they may labour therein, and let them not regard vaine wordes.

1611 marginal noteHeb. let the worke be heauy vpon the men.

Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
2 word occurrences in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Exodus 20:7 · retained source text

Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vaine: for the LORD will not holde him guiltlesse, that taketh his Name in vaine.

1611 marginal noteLeuit. 19.12. deut. 5.11. matt. 5.33.

Leviticus 26:16
I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Leviticus 26:16 · retained source text

I also will doe this vnto you, I will euen appoint ouer you terrour, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seede in vaine, for your enemies shall eate it.

1611 marginal noteHebr. vpon you.

Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Leviticus 26:20 · retained source text

And your strength shall be spent in vaine: for your land shall not yeeld her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yeeld their fruits.

Deuteronomy 5:11
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
2 word occurrences in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Deuteronomy 5:11 · retained source text

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vaine: for the LORD will not holde him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine.

Deuteronomy 32:47
For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Deuteronomy 32:47 · retained source text

For it is not a vaine thing for you: because it is your life, and through this thing yee shall prolong your dayes, in the land whither yee goe ouer Iordan to possesse it.

Judges 9:4
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · Judges 9:4 · retained source text

And they gaue him threescore and ten pieces of siluer, out of the house of Baal-Berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vaine & light persons, which followed him.

Judges 11:3
Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading & marginal notes
1611 witness · Judges 11:3 · retained source text

Then Iephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vaine men to Iephthah, and went out with him.

1611 marginal noteHebr. from the face.

1 Samuel 12:21
And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
2 word occurrences in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · 1 Samuel 12:21 · retained source text

And turne ye not aside, for then should ye goe after vaine things, which cannot profit, nor deliuer, for they are vaine.)

1 Samuel 25:21
Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
1 word occurrence in this verse
The 1611 reading
1611 witness · 1 Samuel 25:21 · retained source text

(Now Dauid had said, Surely in vaine haue I kept all that this fellow hath in the wildernesse, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained vnto him: and he hath requited me euil for good.

Complete reference index — all 102 verses

Where “vain” appears

Select a book to filter the concordance. Occurrences and verses are counted separately.

Source order

Definition evidence