Book of Ecclesiastes

Author: The book of Ecclesiastes does not directly mention its author. There are quite a few verses that imply that Solomon wrote this book. There are some clues in the context that may suggest a different person wrote the book at a time well after Solomon’s death, possibly several hundred years later. Still, the conventional belief is that the author is indeed Solomon.

Date of Writing: Solomon's reign as King of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: Ecclesiastes is a book of perspective. The narrative of “the Preacher” (KJV), or “the Teacher” (NIV) reveals the depression caused by seeking happiness in worldly things. This book gives Christians a chance to see the world through the eyes of a person who, though very wise, is trying to find meaning in temporary, human things. Most every form of worldly pleasure is explored by the Preacher, and none of it gives him a sense of meaning.

In the end, the Preacher comes to accept that faith in God is the only way to find personal meaning. He decides to accept the fact that life is brief and ultimately worthless without God. The Preacher advises the reader to focus on an eternal God instead of temporary pleasure.

Key Verses: Ecclesiastes 1:2, “Vanity of vanity, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanity, all is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes 1:18, “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”

Ecclesiastes 2:11, “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of the spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us then hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Brief Summary: Two phrases are repeated often in Ecclesiastes. The word translated as “vanity” in the KJV, and “meaningless” in the NIV appears often, and is used to emphasize the temporary nature of worldly things. In the end, even the most impressive human achievements will be left behind. The phrase “under the sun” occurs 28 times, and refers to the mortal world. When the Preacher refers to “all things under the sun”, he is talking about earthly, temporary, human things.

The first seven chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes describe all of the worldly things “under the sun” that the Preacher tries to find fulfillment in. He tries scientific discovery (1:10-11), wisdom and philosophy (1:13-18), mirth (2:1), alcohol (2:3), architecture (2:4); property (2:7-8), and luxury (2:8). The Preacher turned his mind towards different philosophies to find meaning, such as materialism (2:19-20), and even moral codes (including chapters 8-9). Everything was meaningless, a temporary diversion that, without God, had no purpose or longevity.

Chapters 8-12 of Ecclesiastes describe the Preacher’s suggestions and comments on how a life should be lived. He comes to the conclusion that without God, there is no truth or meaning to life. He has seen many evils, and realized that even the best of man’s achievements are worth nothing in the long run. So, he advises the reader to acknowledge God from youth (12:1), and to follow His will (12:13-14).

Practical Application: Ecclesiastes offers the Christian an opportunity to understand the emptiness and despair that those who do not know God grapple with. Those who do not have a saving faith in Christ are faced with a life that will ultimately end and become irrelevant. If there is no salvation, and no God, then not only is there no point to life, but no purpose or direction to it either. The world “under the sun”, apart from God, is frustrating, cruel, unfair, brief, and “utterly meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes should be read carefully and in context. Many of the statements are very pessimistic, and seem at odds with other parts of the Bible. By reading the entire text, one can see that the Preacher is discussing the viewpoint of one without God. His pessimism and fatalism is from the perspective of one with no hope, no meaning, and no God. The conclusions of Ecclesiastes demonstrate how nothing fills the natural hole in our lives like a relationship with the One who wants to join Him in a place beyond the world “under the sun.”

Recommended Resources: Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon: Holman Old Testament Commentary by David Moore and Daniel Akin.
Ecclesiastes/Song of Songs NIV Application Commentary by Iain Provan.

Related Topics:

Book of Job

Book of Psalms

Book of Proverbs

Song of Solomon

Book of Isaiah