1: Introduction

Ecclesiastes is wisdom literature

Ecclesiastes is unlike any other book in the OT canon. It is part of the wisdom literature genre, but it is presented in a unique fashion with a different approach than the other wisdom books. Each of the wisdom books in the OT are unique in their style and approach (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs). Nevertheless, there are definitely some aspects of Ecclesiastes that are akin to what is found in the Book of Proverbs.

The approach of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes can be likened to a journal that contains the reflections of one man’s journey through life.

• It conveys the author’s observations on life.
• It records his attitudes and feelings as he searches for meaning in life.
• It sets forth his conclusions after a lifetime of searching.

We could also think of Ecclesiastes as like a travel log or guidebook that was left after a traveler had completed his trip, and he wanted the next traveler to see what lies ahead of them if they follow his path. Thus, it contains all the uncensored observations and learnings of a man along the journey of life that was fully lived with no avenue or pursuit left unexplored. He’s done it all, and he simply tells it like he sees it because he has lived it and knows it.

Why is the book called “Ecclesiastes”?

The title “Ecclesiastes” is actually the Greek title given to the book in the LXX (Greek translation of the Hebrew OT done in the 3^rd cent. BC). Actually, most of the book names in the OT that we have in our English Bibles today come from the LXX rendering of the Hebrew.

Before we talk about the word “Ecclesiastes,” let’s take one more step back in time to the Hebrew Bible. The title “Ecclesiastes” is translated from the Hebrew word Qohelet, which roughly means “one who calls the assembly” or “one who addresses the assembly.”

Likewise, an “ecclesiastes” was a person who sat in or spoke to an ekklēsia (“assembly”). Ekklēsia is the NT word for “church” and the OT word used in the LXX for the “assembly” (i.e., “congregation”) of Israel.

Who is the author?

There is no specific identified author of Ecclesiastes, but it has traditionally been ascribed to King Solomon, the 3^rd king of Israel. All we know is that the author identifies himself as the Qohelet (the “ecclesiastes”) in v. 1. But there are other clues in the book that lead us to conclude that the author is likely King Solomon.

• He was a king in Jerusalem (1:1)

• He was a/the son of David (1:1)

• He considered himself to be the wisest man (1:16)

• He was a great builder (2:4-6)

• He was extremely wealthy (2:8)

• He had a large harem (2:8)

But some scholars have noted that there are a couple of factors that militate against concluding that Solomon was the author, or at least that Solomon wasn’t the one to compose the book.

There are shifts from 1^st person to 3^rd person, suggesting the possibility of a narrator as the composer of the book, much like the way Gospel writers composed their re-telling of the life and ministry of Jesus by recording his teachings and activity, but Jesus was not technically the author.

But whether Solomon was the direct author, or a later editor compiled his writings into their final form, it seems best to still identify the “Sage” as being Solomon.

When and to whom was it written?

Early dating: c. 935 BC, if Solomon is presumed to be the author (lived 990-931 BC, reigned c. 970-931 BC).

Late dating: post-exilic (450-180 BC), if one takes the book to be a later composition.

General overview of Ecclesiastes

Outline of Ecclesiastes

1. Introduction (1:1-11)
   1. 1:2—Conclusion: “Everything is pointless”
   2. 1:3—Main Question: “What does a man gain from all his toil?”
2. Exploring the Question (1:12-12:7)
   1. 1:12-18—Pursuing Worldly Wisdom
   2. 2:1-11—Pursuing Pleasure
   3. 2:12-17—Pursuing Wealth and Wisdom/Foolishness
   4. 2:18-3:22—Pursuing Work
   5. 4:1-12:7—Problems, Disappointments, & Uncertainties
3. Reflection & Epilogue (12:8-14)
   1. Solomon explains what he has learned and the meaning behind his conclusion, and how it is intended to affect the way one looks at life.

Why is Ecclesiastes so important?

As we go through the book of Ecclesiastes, it might seem like Solomon is painting such a dismal and pessimistic view of life that one might wonder if there is any real benefit to all this. And the answer is: “There is!” But we will have to wait until later to see what that is.

At the final section at the end of the book, Solomon will frame his conclusion in light of the true meaning of life and how one should view his answer to the major question he set out to explore in the beginning.