Book introduction
The book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is a hard look at life “under the sun.” The Teacher tries pleasure, work, wealth, and wisdom, and finds all of it fleeting, like breath. He ends by telling the reader to enjoy God’s gifts and fear God.
Read Ecclesiastes 3Start at chapter 1
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
The writer calls himself “the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem,” and tradition names Solomon. Many scholars think a later writer took on Solomon’s voice, pointing to the book’s Hebrew style.
When was it written?
About 950 BC if Solomon wrote it; many scholars suggest 400–250 BC.
Main themes
- Life is fleeting
- The key word, “futility” here and “vanity” in older Bibles, means breath or vapor.
- Enjoy what God gives
- Eat, drink, and find joy in work as gifts from God.
- Fear God
- The book closes: fear God and keep his commandments.
Outline of Ecclesiastes
Key verses
“Utter futility,” says the Teacher, “utter futility! Everything is futile!”
Everything has its season, and every matter under heaven has its time:
When all has been heard, this is the end of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of being human.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Chapter 3, “a time for everything,” is the best-known part. Then read chapter 12.
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