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ECCLESIASTES – INTRODUCTION

I. TITLE AND AUTHORSHIP OF THE BOOK  

A. The Hebrew word, “Koheleth” literally means “speaker in an assembly.”  

1. It is translated “the preacher” (1:1)

2. “Ecclesiastes” is taken from the Greek-version of the Old Testament which is equivalent to “preacher.”  

B. King Solomon is indicated as the author.

1. “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (1:1-2; Samuel 12:24).

2. “… was King over Israel in Jerusalem (1:12; I Kings 4:1, 8:1)

3. “I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem” (1:16; I Kings 3:10-12, 10:7).

4. “I was great, and increased more than all were before me in Jerusalem (2:9; I Kings 2:12, 10:7).

5. “…set in order many proverbs” (12:9; I Kings 4:32, Proverbs 1:1)

C. Date for the writing of the Book: towards the close of Solomon’s life – 935 B.C.

II. THE THEME OF THE BOOK

A. All that is in the world is vanity.

1. Some 33 references are made to “vanity” in the Book (cf.1:2, 11:10, etc.)

2. The word is from the Hebrew word, “Hebel” which points to “something transitory, and unsatisfactory,” therefore “empty.”

3. The world under the sun provides unending monotony (cf. 1:8-10).

B. Solomon explored every avenue of earthly life and was given wisdom to observe the truth about what life apart from God gives.

1. “vanity and a striving after wind” (2:17).

III. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

A. To show that all earthly pursuits as the chief aim in life will not bring happiness.

1. Various “vanities:”

(a). The vanity of human wisdom – wise and fool die alike (2:15-16)

(b).  The vanity of human purpose – man proposes but God disposes (2:26)

(c).  The vanity of human fame – brief, uncertain and soon forgotten (4:16)

  2.   Solution: fear God and keep his commandments – the whole of man (12:13).

3.   To enjoy the fruits of our labor is the portion God gives us under the sun –

Intermediate conclusion offered seven times (2:10, 24, 3:12-13, 22, 5:18; 8:15; 9:7-9).

IV. OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

A. The vanities of life (chapters 1-4)

1. As experienced by Solomon (chapters 1-2)

2. As observed by Solomon (chapters 3-4)

B. Miscellaneous proverbs (chapters 5-10)

C. Solomon’s answer to the purpose of life (chapters 11-12)