The Preacher

Name of the Book

Ecclesiastes is Latin for the one who calls an assembly

Translation of the Hebrew word Qoheleth 1:1

…literally, the one who calls together

Author

Clues given in the text indicate Solomon…but

Dispute has raged for years; possibly of the Solomonic tradition?

Hinges on the

Date of Writing

Solomon would require a 10th cent. BC date

Linguistic clues suggest up to 3rd-4th cent. BC

Possible resolution: Solomon’s writing, later editors

…likely won’t be settled in our lifetime

Qumran community accepted as Canon…but there were arguments about why it was so

A Depressing Opening

1:2, a listing of vanities to end of chapter 2

1:12; 2:1; 2:12; 2:18

Some Timeless Truths

3:1-8; 10-13; 17

Disturbing Musings

3:19 ff; 4:2-4; majority of chap. 7

The End of the Matter

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 ESV

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Some thoughts of the scholars

J.S, Wright, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, quoted in Faithlife Study Bible

The New Bible Commentary Purpose and Abiding Message

‘God holds the key to all unknown—but he will not give it to you. Since you do not have the key you must trust Him to open the doors’.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Unity and Structure

all human endeavors lack ultimate value; life should be enjoyed in the fear of God, as a gift from His hand.

Confessions of a Workaholic, Catholic Biblical Quarterly—Mar. 1976; quoted in BKC

The Bible Knowledge Commentary Theme and Purpose

Thus life after death was obscure to Solomon (11:8) and held no promise of redressing all the inequities and enigmas he had pointed out.

BKC