Introduction To Introduction To EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

An Introduction of EcclesiastesAn Introduction of Ecclesiastes

ThemeTheme• All efforts and measures to find All efforts and measures to find

happiness, meaning and purpose in the happiness, meaning and purpose in the difficulty of life apart from God is a difficulty of life apart from God is a waste of time and effortwaste of time and effort

• It provides the reader with the benefit It provides the reader with the benefit of the wisdom and experience of an of the wisdom and experience of an older man who has attempted to find older man who has attempted to find meaning in meaningless things and meaning in meaningless things and concludes that these things set apart concludes that these things set apart from walking with God are fruitless from walking with God are fruitless

An Introduction of EcclesiastesAn Introduction of Ecclesiastes

ThemeTheme Key wordKey word

• ““Vanity” (Futility or meaninglessness)Vanity” (Futility or meaninglessness) Uniqueness of the bookUniqueness of the book The text’s place in the BibleThe text’s place in the Bible

The Hebrew Old Testament The Hebrew Old Testament ArrangementArrangement

The LawThe Law The ProphetsThe Prophets The WritingsThe Writings

GenesisGenesis

ExodusExodus

LeviticusLeviticus

NumbersNumbers

DeuteronomyDeuteronomy

Former prophetsFormer prophets Poetical BooksPoetical Books

JoshuaJoshua

JudgesJudges

SamuelSamuel

KingsKings

PsalmsPsalmsProverbsProverbs

JobJob

Five Rolls (Megilloth)Five Rolls (Megilloth)

Latter ProphetsLatter Prophets Song Of SongsSong Of SongsRuthRuth

LamentationsLamentationsEstherEsther

EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

IsaiahIsaiah

JeremiahJeremiah

EzekielEzekiel

The TwelveThe TwelveHistorical BooksHistorical Books

DanielDanielEzra-NehemiahEzra-Nehemiah

ChroniclesChronicles

An Introduction of EcclesiastesAn Introduction of Ecclesiastes

ThemeTheme Key wordKey word Uniqueness of the textUniqueness of the text The text’s place in the BibleThe text’s place in the Bible TitleTitle

• Hebrew = QoheletHebrew = Qohelet• Greek = EkklesiastesGreek = Ekklesiastes• Latin = EcclesiastesLatin = Ecclesiastes

QoheletQoheletGatherer of God’s PeopleGatherer of God’s People

Hebrew = QoheletHebrew = Qohelet• ““to convoke an assembly, to assemble”to convoke an assembly, to assemble”

Greek = EkklesiastesGreek = Ekklesiastes• Derived from the root ekklesiaDerived from the root ekklesia• ““one who stands before an assembly; a one who stands before an assembly; a

preacher”preacher” Latin = Ecclesiastes Latin = Ecclesiastes

• ““speaker before an assembly”speaker before an assembly”

The PreacherThe Preacher

UnityUnity• Reasons for questioning the single Reasons for questioning the single

authorship of Ecclesiastes:authorship of Ecclesiastes: The literary form of the bookThe literary form of the book The seeming contradictions of the textThe seeming contradictions of the text

Multiple Writer TheoriesMultiple Writer Theories

Three writersThree writers• QoheletQohelet• An orthodox “editor” (probably a An orthodox “editor” (probably a

member of the member of the HasidimHasidim))• Another “sage” (Another “sage” (hakamhakam “wise man”) “wise man”)

who inserts the more traditional who inserts the more traditional proverbsproverbs

Multiple Writer TheoriesMultiple Writer Theories

Three writersThree writers Two writersTwo writers

• QoheletQohelet• A narratorA narrator

Prologue (1:1-1:11)Prologue (1:1-1:11) Epilogue (12:8-12:14)Epilogue (12:8-12:14)

Multiple Writer TheoriesMultiple Writer Theories

Three writersThree writers Two writersTwo writers Single writerSingle writer

The PreacherThe Preacher

UnityUnity AuthorshipAuthorship

Identification of QoheletIdentification of Qohelet

A title rather than a proper nameA title rather than a proper name Facts about the word:Facts about the word:

• Derived from the verb qahalDerived from the verb qahal• Often used as a noun (one who assembles)Often used as a noun (one who assembles)• Active participle Active participle • Gender = feminineGender = feminine

The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of the sons of SopherethSophereth, the sons of Peruda (Ezra , the sons of Peruda (Ezra 2:55; Neh. 7:57)2:55; Neh. 7:57)

Cophereth (OT: 5618) (so-feh'-reth); Cophereth (OT: 5618) (so-feh'-reth); feminine feminine active participleactive participle of OT:5608; a of OT:5608; a scribescribe (properly, (properly, female); Sophereth, a temple servant female); Sophereth, a temple servant

Solomon as an “Assembler”Solomon as an “Assembler” Solomon is connected with the verb root “qhl” in Solomon is connected with the verb root “qhl” in

1 Kings 81 Kings 8• Now Now SolomonSolomon assembledassembled the elders of Israel and all the elders of Israel and all

the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem,…children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem,…Therefore all the men of Israel Therefore all the men of Israel assembledassembled with King with King SolomonSolomon…(1 Kings 8:1-2)…(1 Kings 8:1-2)

• Then the Then the kingking turned around and blessed the whole turned around and blessed the whole assemblyassembly of Israel, while all the of Israel, while all the assemblyassembly of Israel of Israel was standing. 1 Kings 8:14was standing. 1 Kings 8:14

• Then Then SolomonSolomon stood before the altar of the LORD in stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the the presence of all the assemblyassembly of Israel, and spread of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 1 Kings 8:22out his hands toward heaven; 1 Kings 8:22

• Then Then hehe stood and blessed all the stood and blessed all the assemblyassembly of Israel of Israel with a loud voice, saying: 1 Kings 8:55with a loud voice, saying: 1 Kings 8:55

The Great DebateThe Great Debate

Who is Qohelet?Who is Qohelet?

When did he write the book of When did he write the book of Ecclesiastes?Ecclesiastes?

Arguments Against a Solomonic AuthorshipArguments Against a Solomonic Authorship

The date of the book based on The date of the book based on linguisticslinguistics

Solomon’s apostate conditionSolomon’s apostate condition

The enigmatic statements in regard The enigmatic statements in regard to governmental injusticeto governmental injustice

Arguments For Solomonic AuthorshipArguments For Solomonic Authorship

Title of the writer (1:1, 12)Title of the writer (1:1, 12) Self description:Self description:

• Wealth, power & prestige (2:9; 1 Kings Wealth, power & prestige (2:9; 1 Kings 10:14-29)10:14-29)

• Wisdom (1:16; 2:9; 1 Kings 3:9)Wisdom (1:16; 2:9; 1 Kings 3:9) Solomon as an “assembler” of God’s Solomon as an “assembler” of God’s

people (1 Kings 8)people (1 Kings 8)

The Expositors Bible CommentaryThe Expositors Bible Commentary

““The tradition of David as singer and The tradition of David as singer and psalmist is borne out by an early psalmist is borne out by an early

reference at Amos 6:5 and is taken reference at Amos 6:5 and is taken seriously in the light of the lament for seriously in the light of the lament for Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27). Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27).

We ought to take Solomon’s reputation We ought to take Solomon’s reputation for wisdom equally seriously and see for wisdom equally seriously and see his court as the center that drew wise his court as the center that drew wise

men from all quarters to discuss men from all quarters to discuss problems of living in a difficult world (1 problems of living in a difficult world (1

Kings 4:34).”Kings 4:34).”

The PreacherThe Preacher

UnityUnity AuthorshipAuthorship DateDate

Two Theories on the DateTwo Theories on the Date

EarlyEarly(1000 BC =/-)(1000 BC =/-)

LateLate(3(3rdrd-4-4thth Century BC) Century BC)

Linguistic Indications of a Late DateLinguistic Indications of a Late Date

Persian influencePersian influence• I made myself I made myself gardensgardens

(uwpardeecyim) and orchards, and I (uwpardeecyim) and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. (Eccl 2:5) (Eccl 2:5)

• Because the Because the sentencesentence (pitgam) (pitgam) against an evil work is not executed against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Eccl 8:11) evil. (Eccl 8:11)

Linguistic Indications of a Late DateLinguistic Indications of a Late Date

Persian influencePersian influence Aramaic influenceAramaic influence

• 42 “aramaisms” in the text42 “aramaisms” in the text• Not yet understood in the days of Not yet understood in the days of

Hezekiah [716-687] (2 Kings 18:26)Hezekiah [716-687] (2 Kings 18:26)• Other Aramaic texts in the Old Other Aramaic texts in the Old

Testament (Jer. 10:11; Dan. 2:4-7:28; Testament (Jer. 10:11; Dan. 2:4-7:28; Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Gen. 31:47 [?])Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Gen. 31:47 [?])

Linguistic Indications of a Late DateLinguistic Indications of a Late Date

Persian influencePersian influence Aramaic influenceAramaic influence Classic Hebrew vs. post-exilic Classic Hebrew vs. post-exilic

HebrewHebrew• Linguistic updatingLinguistic updating

The PreacherThe Preacher

UnityUnity AuthorshipAuthorship DateDate Origin & DestinationOrigin & Destination Literary formLiterary form Theological considerationsTheological considerations

The Great Experiment!The Great Experiment!

And And I set my heartI set my heart to seek and to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. (Eccl 1:13)be exercised. (Eccl 1:13)

And And I set my heartI set my heart to know wisdom to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping perceived that this also is grasping for the wind. (Eccl 1:17)for the wind. (Eccl 1:17)

The Great Experiment!The Great Experiment!

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with with mirthmirth; therefore enjoy ; therefore enjoy pleasurepleasure"; "; but surely, this also was vanity. I said of but surely, this also was vanity. I said of

laughter -- "Madness!"; and of mirth, laughter -- "Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?" I searched in "What does it accomplish?" I searched in

my heart how to gratify my flesh with my heart how to gratify my flesh with winewine, while guiding my heart with , while guiding my heart with

wisdomwisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I , and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. I made my their lives. I made my works greatworks great, I , I

built myself houses, and planted myself built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. (Eccl 2:1-4)vineyards. (Eccl 2:1-4)

The Great Experiment!The Great Experiment!

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,

For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;And this was my reward from all my labor. And this was my reward from all my labor.

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled;And on the labor in which I had toiled;

And And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.wind.

There was no profit under the sunThere was no profit under the sun. . (Eccl 2:10-11)(Eccl 2:10-11)

Ayn RandAyn Rand

““My philosophy, in essence, is the My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, concept of man as a heroic being, with his own with his own happiness as the happiness as the moral purpose of his lifemoral purpose of his life, with , with productive productive achievementachievement as his as his

noblest activity, and noblest activity, and reasonreason as his as his only absolute.”only absolute.”