NOTICE
The book that we are dealing with comes from the library (Bible) section known as wisdom literature. Ecclesiastes is a wisdom book and it belongs to the group of Job, Psalms, Songs of Songs and Proverbs. In the past introductions of other books of the Bible, I have indicated that the Jews divided their Bible (Old Testament) into three major divisions: the Law (Torah-Pentateuch), the Prophets (Nabhi-Former and Latter) and the Writings (Ketuvim).
The wisdom literature of the Jews is that which applies truth through generalizations. For instance, the book we are face to face is one that has a generalization of life as vanity. While we cannot say that the author is wrong, we can as well not conclude that he is conclusively right and therefore life is all vanity of vanities. Interpreting wisdom literature is to recognize the individual frustrations and biases as distinct from the reality from a broader perspective (what I call the Major picture).
According to David Penchansky, there are three different types of wisdom that run through all five Wisdom books:
- Village wisdom/folk wisdom characterized by short, pithy statements, with examples drawn from nature and framed as instruction from parents to their children, as in Proverbs 20:4.
- Royal wisdom from one of the Israelite capitals, instructing junior bureaucrats on the intricacies and treachery of palace politics, as in Proverbs 23:1-3.
- Theological wisdom of deep reflection on the most controversial of theological topics, such as: Is there a God? If there is a God, why do such awful things happen? (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21)
The book of Job, Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes deal with what one would call theological wisdom. The Book of Job investigated suffering in the lens of a sovereign God, Ecclesiastes asks the question of Life how to live it and its meaning.
TITLE
In the Hebrew, the title of the book can be transliterated as ‘divere qoheleth’, which translates as ‘the words of the Preacher’. The word ‘Qoheleth’ active participle, feminine singular. Generally, in Hebrew titles and designations of office are indicated by the feminine form. In the Old Testament Greek Translation (Septuagint) the title Εκκλησιαστής. The term means ‘Concionator’, ‘Preacher’ and it is the Septuagint through the Vulgate that the title ‘Ecclesiastes’ in the English Bible is derived
In the title ‘Qoheleth’ the participle is derived from the root ‘qahal’ which elsewhere appears in the Hiphil in the sense “to assemble.” Qoheleth, therefore, indicates one who holds or addresses an assembly. The title designates the function of a leader who speaks in the assembly, and the preacher is an appropriate translation we could say.
AUTHORSHIP
The author is not mentioned by name. what we have are implications that probably point to Solomon as the writer in chapter 1:1 that says, “the son of David, king in Jerusalem”. And the confession of the preacher that, “I the preacher had been king in Jerusalem” 1:12. Because Solomon was celebrated by the Jews as the wisest man and one who had done great works in infrastructure and organization, then chapter 1:16, 2:4-11 confirms that the author might have been Solomon himself.
However, it is also possible that King Solomon might not have been the author implied in the text for the following reasons: 1-the name Solomon does not occur, yet all his other writings bear his name. 2-In 1:12 the writer says, I Qoheleth was king in Jerusalem’ the past tense seems to imply the writer was no longer king. And this could be true according to 1Kings 11:41-43. 3-
According to Edward Young in his book ‘An introduction to the Old Testament’ P.368-369; “the Background of the book does not fit the age of Solomon. It was a time of misery and vanity (1:2-11); the splendour of Solomon’s age was gone (1:12-2:26); a time of death had begun for Israel (3:1-15); injustice and violence were present (4:1-3); there was heathen tyranny (5:7, 9-19); death was preferred to life (7:1); one man ruled over other men to their hurt (8:9).
The language and diction of the book apparently point to a time later than that of Solomon. Some of the words seem to be Aramaic, which in itself would be no indication of date, but others seem to approach the region of the Mishnah. In all probability, the book is to be dated about the time of Malachi. The political background is satisfactory and this period would also satisfy the linguistic phenomena.
It is a sure thing that the two opening chapters were based on some ancient memoirs such as the book of Acts of Solomon (1Kings 11:41) or the writings of contemporary prophets like Nathan (2Chronicles 9:29). The best conclusion therefore on who the author of the book would be to say that; the foundation or basis is Solomonic but the developments and perhaps a large part of the redaction (editings) come from another age, possibly post-exilic.
OUTLINE
The book has 12 chapters and they are all generally about life and living in this world. The preacher shares his experiences and questions then he supplies answers to his questions 1:1-3.
According to chapter 1:4-11:8 the conclusion is that, there is no satisfaction in the following, success= 4:1-6, self-confidence=4:7-16, Religion=5:1-20, Temporality of both problems and their Solutions= chapters 6-11:8. Finally, in 11:9-12 the book exhorts us to despite the meanness of life, we are encouraged to practice two things: 1-Rejoice and 2-Remember= 11:9-12:8.
In conclusion, 12:9-14 there are three characteristics for the faith to be emulated by a believer amidst the chaos of the uncertainties of life and these are 1-Fear of the Lord, 2-Obedience to God and 3-Trusting God.
The book that we are reading is one that attempts one of the greatest questions of our world and that is; what is the meaning of life? How are we to appreciate life as a mixture of good and bad, success and failure, joy and sadness? Is life a 50/50 thing? If this is so, then is this what life is or how we have experienced it? is this how God views life as well?
God bless you I invoke TRUTH, REASON and FAITH (2Tim 2:7)
Priest Isaiah White (+256-793 822833 for further inquiries)
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24)
@Think & Become
iTiS Well of Worship Fellowship (John 4:24) 