Overview of Ecclesiastes (Notes for Class 5)

(Podcast available here)

Background

• Canon debate: Ancient rabbis argued over its place in the Hebrew canon because they struggled to reconcile it with the rest of Scripture.

• Author and date: Identified as “the preacher” (1:1, 12; 7:27; 12:9–10). These references make Solomon the most likely author (reigned 969–932 BC).

  • Some argue that the vocabulary reflects a later date with Aramaic and Persian loanwords.

  • However, this overlooks Solomon’s international influence (1 Kings 4:34; 2 Chr. 9:23).

Purpose

“Ecclesiastes records man’s struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in life. The basic theme is that life is empty and meaningless apart from a right relationship with God. Unless a man comes to know the Creator, nothing in the creation can bring him peace and satisfaction. Everything will be ‘vain’ (1:2; 12:8). All of man’s pursuits will eventually leave him discontent and empty.”¹⁾Paul Benware, Survey of the Old Testament, Moody Publishers (Chicago, IL: 2003), pp. 178-179

Key Words

• Preacher (קֹהֶלֶת, Qoheleth / Ecclesiastes): “One who calls an assembly.”

• Vanity (הֶבֶל, hebel): Empty, fleeting, vapor-like. “Vanity of vanities” = “most futile, utterly empty” (like “holy of holies” = “most holy”).

• Under the sun: Life on earth under God’s curse (Gen. 3:17–19).

Key Themes

• “Vanity” – 28 times (e.g., 1:2, 14; 2:1, 11, 15, 17…). Strongest in chapter 2, showing worldly pleasures are empty.

• “Under the sun” – 27 times (e.g., 1:3, 9, 14; 2:11, 17…). Also emphasized in chapter 2.

• “My heart” – 9 times (e.g., 1:13, 16; 2:3, 10, 15…). Again repeated in chapter 2.

• “Eat…drink…God giveth” – appears in 2:24; 3:12–13, 22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7–10.

Key Verses

• 3:11 – “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.”

• 6:12 – “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?”

• 9:11 – “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong… but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

Outline (Based on Hebrew Paragraph Divisions)

I. The Vanity of Godless Living (1:1–11)
II. Vanity Shown in Human Achievements (1:12–6:12)

• 1:12–2:26

• 3:1–8

• 3:9–6:12
  III. Vanity Shown in Human Wisdom (7:1–11:8)

• 7:1–9:6

• 9:7–10:8

• 10:9–11:8
  IV. Conclusion: Rejoice in Life, Fear God (11:9–12:14)

Numerical Division

• Preamble: 1:1–11 → 11 verses

• First half: 1:12–6:11 → 102 verses

• Center: 6:12 → 1 verse (thematic pivot)

• Second half: 7:1–12:8 → 102 verses

• Epilogue: 12:9–14 → 6 verses

➡ Preamble + Epilogue = 17 verses.
➡ Each half = 102 verses (6 × 17).
➡ Central verse (6:12): life is fleeting and uncertain “under the sun.”

Chiasm

A. Title: Author mentioned in third person (1:1)

B. Brevity and insignificance of life (1:2–11)

C. Failure of wisdom to find meaning (1:12–2:26)

D. On time (3:1–15)

X. Fear God (3:16–6:12)

D’. Time revisited (7:1–14)

C’. Failure of wisdom revisited (7:15–10:19)

B’. Brevity of life revisited (10:20–12:8)

A’. Conclusion: Author in third person (12:9–14)

Theological Emphasis

• Like Job and other Wisdom books (cf. Job 28; Eccl. 8:17), Ecclesiastes teaches that searching creation alone cannot give ultimate wisdom or satisfaction.

• Human reasoning “under the sun” is futile without revelation from God.

• Sin brought God’s curse (7:20, 28), so it is wrong to treat Ecclesiastes as purely secular.

“But it must be remembered that much of this book is written from the perspective of secular human reasoning. These are the thoughts of the man who lives ‘under the sun.’”²⁾Paul Benware, Survey of the Old Testament, Moody Publishers (Chicago, IL: 2003), p 180

The question of the value of man’s labor (1:3: “What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?”) is understood in light of God’s creation order. Man was made as God’s vice-regent on earth to uphold the dominion mandate (Gen. 1:28; 2:15). But through sin, the earth came under God’s curse (Gen. 3:17–19; cf. Eccl. 2:22–23). Thus, labor is strenuous and ultimately unsatisfying (Eccl. 2:4–6). Nor does wisdom provide any lasting advantage (2:14–16).

This book does not teach secular philosophy. God, the Creator, is providentially in control of His creation (Eccl. 3:11, 14; 7:14; 9:1; 11:5). Because of Adam’s sin, the creation was subjected to God’s curse. The Preacher struggles emotionally with the fact that what God has made crooked cannot be straightened by man (Eccl. 1:14–15; 7:13). Yet, we are still called to enjoy God’s gifts (Eccl. 2:24; 3:12–13, 22; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7–10) as we carry out the dominion mandate.

• Practical Insights

  • There is joy in labor (2:10).

  • Skill improves success (10:10).

  • Those who fear God have security (8:12–13).

  • But all face death (9:11; 12:1–7).

  Final word: “Fear God, and keep his commandments” (12:13–14).