The Book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes searches for meaning 'under the sun' and finds that life apart from God is vapor and chasing wind — calling us to fear God, enjoy his gifts, and remember our end.
- Testament
- Old (12 chapters)
- Type
- Wisdom
- Author
- Traditionally Solomon ('the Preacher, the son of David'). Many scholars see a later Solomonic-styled persona.
- Date
- Probably 10th or 3rd c. BC depending on authorship assumed.
The vanity of life under the sun
The book's hammer-blow refrain — 'Vanity of vanities; all is vanity' — uses a Hebrew word (hevel) that means breath or vapor. Wealth, pleasure, work, even wisdom apart from God all turn to vapor. The honesty is bracing.
Receive life as a gift
Within the vapor, Ecclesiastes counsels: eat your bread with joy, drink your wine with a merry heart, enjoy your spouse, do your work — for these are God's gifts. The closing word: 'Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man' (12:13).
Key verses (KJV)
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11 (KJV)
“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” — Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV)
How to read Ecclesiastes
Read in one sitting if you can — it's twelve chapters and the cumulative weight matters. Pair with the book of Job — both deal honestly with life's hardest realities, from different angles.
Read Ecclesiastes on your iPhone
Read the full book of Ecclesiastes in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
Read Ecclesiastes free on iPhone.
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