Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a treatise on the vanity of all things. The author is identified as Qoheleth, who was probably king Solomon.
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Misogynism
SUMMARY
Title
The word “Ecclesiastes” is a Latin word.
It is a transcription of the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Qoheleth.”
Qoheleth is often rendered “Preacher” or “Teacher.”
Author
The author identifies himself as the “son of David” and the ‘king in Jerusalem.”
That is probably a reference to Solomon, although his name never appears in the book. Solomon is Israel’s great gatherer of wisdom.
Date
Some words were borrowed from the Persian language.
That requires a date after Israel’s release from exile in Persia in 539 BC.
The unique language, syntax, and grammar of Ecclesiastes suggest that the book can be dated between the fifth and third centuries BC.
Purpose
The theme of Ecclesiastes is announced both at the beginning of the book and the end, and is often echoed throughout. The author declares that everything is meaningless.
This includes toil, wisdom, righteousness, wealth, prestige, pleasure, youth, vigor, life, and even the future after death.
Translation
Ecclesiastes is great in Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” translation.
OUTLINE
ALL HUMAN ENDEAVOR IS MEANINGLESS
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11. Everything is meaningless
HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT IS MEANINGLESS
Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. Examples of meaninglessness
Ecclesiastes 2:1-3. Pleasure is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 2:4-6. Construction projects are meaningless
Ecclesiastes 2:7-11. Materialism is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 2:12-17. Reflecting on death
Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. Work is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 2:24-26. Enjoy what you have
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. There is a time for everything
Ecclesiastes 3:9-15. Toil is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22. Power corrupts us humans
Ecclesiastes 4:1-6. Human society is often ruled by the cruelest of people
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12. A close spiritual friend is of great value
Ecclesiastes 4:13-16. Political power is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. Vows are meaningless
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20. The pursuit of wealth is meaningless
HUMAN WISDOM IS LIMITED
Ecclesiastes 6:1-12. Some people are not able to enjoy the fruits of their labor
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. Heed wise counsel
Ecclesiastes 7:15-25. Avoid the extremes
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28. Ancient attitudes toward women
Ecclesiastes 7:29. God made us humans upright
Ecclesiastes 8:1-9. Relate skillfully to your king
Ecclesiastes 8:10-13. The court process should be speedy
Ecclesiastes 8:14-17. We cannot know God fully
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18. We cannot predict our own future
Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. When a fool is appointed to leadership position
Ecclesiastes 11:1-6. Work diligently, even though you do not know the future
WALK WITH GOD
Ecclesiastes 11:7-10. Live joyously and responsibly
Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. Walk with God when you are young
Ecclesiastes 12:8-12. All human endeavor is meaningless
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Fear God and keep his commandments
MEMORIZE
Ecclesiastes 4:9. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Ecclesiastes 4:10. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up.
Ecclesiastes 11:9. Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Ecclesiastes 12:13. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (NIV translation)
Great verses to memorize from the entire Bible
MISOGYNISM
The Book of Ecclesiastes sometimes reveals a deeply negative view of women. That probably reflects a misogynistic personality on the part of the man who wrote the book.
Ecclesiastes 7:26. I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
Ecclesiastes 7:28. which my soul still seeks; but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand; but I have not found a woman among all those.
ECCLESIASTES
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Misogynism
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.