Introduction to Ecclesiastes

The title of the book, Qohelet, means “The Preacher.”

Outline (ESV Study Bible)

Introduction and Theme (1:1–3)
First Catalog of “Vanities” (1:4–2:26)
Poem: A Time for Everything (3:1–8)
Fear God, the Sovereign One (3:9–15)
Second Catalog of “Vanities” (3:16–4:16)
Fear God, the Holy and Righteous One (5:1–7)
Life “Under the Sun” (5:8–7:24)
The Heart of the Problem: Sin (7:25–29)
More on Life “Under the Sun” (8:1–12:7)
Final Conclusion and Epilogue (12:8–14)

Authorship Options

Solomon—old and repentant after having “done it all” (1:12–13; 2:1–11; 12:9).
Not Solomon, but a later king in the Davidic line (1:1, 16; 2:9).

The Conundrum of Ecclesiastes

1. The Preacher Says Things That Sound Highly Unorthodox

No rewards: Being righteous or wicked makes no difference (2:14–16; 7:15; 8:14; 9:2–3).
No existence after death: We die like animals (3:19–21; 9:4–5; but cf. 12:7).
Enjoy life, because this is all there is: (9:7–10).

2. The Editorial Solution

The epilogue (12:8–14) was added by a later orthodox editor.

The orthodox position does not come until the very end (12:13–14).
As in the book of Job, God speaks at the end and rejects all false views aired previously.
Ecclesiastes 12:11–12 is taken negatively, as a repudiation of everything the Preacher said.
However, orthodox statements appear alongside seemingly unorthodox ones (3:17–18; 8:12–13; 11:9a–b, c).

3. The Wisdom Solution

The Preacher looks at reality from two different points of view.

The Temporal Perspective

“Under the sun” (25 times) is equivalent to “under heaven” (three times) and “on earth” (five times); the expressions are used interchangeably (1:13–14; 8:14–17).

Everything is “vanity” if viewed only from the perspective of this life.

The Eschatological Perspective

There is a Creator God in heaven (3:11; 5:1–2; 7:29; 12:1). Therefore, the vanity of life under the sun is not how things are supposed to be.

There are breakthroughs of hope:

Limited happiness in this life as a gift from God (2:24; 3:13).
Expectation of the day of judgment (3:17; 11:9c).

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” is the predominant theme, but it is not the final word. “The end of the matter” is stated clearly in the conclusion (12:13–14).

Ecclesiastes may seem to lack piety or faith, but there is wisdom in taking a long, hard look at the vanity of life under the sun without rushing too quickly to the eschatological answer. It enables us to live wisely (Ps. 90:12): not putting our hope in life turning out well for us, learning to take joy in God’s good gifts, and fearing God.

Key Themes

1. The “Vanity,” Futility, or Absurdity of Life

Hebel (1:2, 14; 2:11, 17, 22–23; 6:12; 12:8)

Caused by the fall (7:29): things are not supposed to be this way.
God has put eternity in man’s heart (3:11): the ache for something lasting and eternal.

2. Sin and Death

The sinfulness of the human heart (9:3).
Sin is inevitable, even for the righteous (7:20).
Death is inevitable (8:8) and comes unexpectedly (9:12).

3. The Enjoyment and Frustration of Work

Enjoyment: 2:24; 3:22; 5:12.
Frustration: 2:18–23; 3:9; 4:6–8; 5:15–17; 6:7.

4. The Grateful Enjoyment of God’s Good Gifts

The pleasures of life are “from the hand of God” (2:24; 3:12–13; 9:7, 9).
Find enjoyment in toil—it keeps you occupied (5:18–20).
Joy is commended as a compensation for toil (8:15).
Enjoy your youth (11:9).

5. An Accepting Spirit

Accepting God’s providence (3:14; 7:13–14).
Accepting the reality of death (7:1–4).
Accepting one’s lot in life (3:22; 5:18–19).
Accepting moral and intellectual limitations (1:18; 7:16, 23–24; 8:16–17; 11:5; 12:1).

6. The End of the Matter: Fear God

See 5:1–7; 7:18; 8:12–13; 12:13.

Ecclesiastes in the Context of the Whole Scripture

The Brevity of Life

Psalm 90:9–14
Psalm 103:15–17
James 4:14

New Testament Allusions to Ecclesiastes

Rom 8:19–25: God subjected creation to “futility,” but he did so “in hope.”
1 Cor 15:58: The hope of resurrection means our labor is not “in vain.”