”Introducing Ecclesiastes” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3)

"Introducing Ecclesiastes" (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3)

Wednesday Bible Study

February 3, 2021

Ecclesiastes has long been regarded as the most enigmatic book in the Bible. Its refrain that “all is vanity under the sun” sounds more like twentieth-century existentialism than biblical faith. On the other hand, several times the book counsels its readers to grasp the joys of life as gifts from God. How these seemingly opposite themes are viewed leads to dramatically different understandings of the text. By composing the book’s message in autobiographical terms, the author takes the readers along as he seeks to discover lasting significance in life. - Daniel J. Estes

Ecclesiastes 1:1 NIV

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

 

"Teacher" - קֹהֶלֶת (qohelet)

• Derived from a verb meaning "to assemble" or "to gather."
• "Teacher or Leader of the Assembly"
• "One who gathers material for education of the public."

"Ecclesiastes" - derives from the Greek term ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), "assembly."

• "Ecclesiastes" is the title of the book in the Greek Bible and the Latin Bible.
• The book is referred to as "Qoheleth" in the Hebrew Bible.

"Son of David, King in Jerusalem"

• Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
  • Solomon?
  • A later author around the time of the exile or after the exile?

Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2 NASB95

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2 Tanakh

Utter futility!—said Koheleth— Utter futility! All is futile!

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2 (Bartholomew)

“Utterly enigmatic,” says Qohelet, “utterly enigmatic, everything is enigmatic.”

 

“Meaningless”? ( הֶבֶל "hevel")

• "breath"
• "wind"
• "vanity"
• "empty"
• "idol"

Ecclesiastes 1:3 NIV

What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?