Faith & Reason Nexus

The Meaning of Ecclesiastes: “Speaker before an assembly.”
Authorship:

• Author: Solomon
• Time Written: Probably late in Solomon’s life, about 935 B.C.
• Note: Jewish tradition asserts Solomon wrote Song of Solomon in his youthful years, Proverbs in his middle years, and Ecclesiastes in his later years.

Position in the Bible:

• 21st Book in the Bible
• Holy Bible
• Chapters: 12
• Verses: 222
• Words: 5,584
• 21st Book in the Old Testament
• 4th of 5 Poetical books (Job-Song of Solomon)
• Followed by 45 Books

Observations about Ecclesiastes:

• Key Word: ‘Vanity.’
• Vanity is the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God.
• The word “vanity” occurs 37 times in Ecclesiastes.
• Life “under the sun” (used 29 times) seems to be filled with inequities, changes in fortune, and violations of justice.
• Ecclesiastes is the record of an intense search for meaning and satisfaction in life on earth.
• Life lived without regard for God is declared to be empty.
• Viewing life from God’s perspective (“Above the sun”) gives it new and special meaning.

Notable Verses:

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…”
• Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…”

Theme of Ecclesiastes:

• Emphasizes the futile emptiness of seeking happiness apart from God.
• Contrasts life “under the sun” with life viewed from God’s perspective (“Above the sun”).
• A profound reflection on the cycles and seasons of life.

Barnes Bible Charts: “Vanity is the futile emptiness of trying to be happy apart from God.”