The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament is traditionally attributed to King Solomon. However, the author refers to himself as “the Preacher” or “the Teacher” in Hebrew Qoheleth. There has been much debate over the centuries as to the true identity of Qoheleth.
Here are some of the main theories about who wrote Ecclesiastes:
King Solomon
The traditional view is that King Solomon, son of David, wrote Ecclesiastes late in his life. There is internal evidence that points to Solomon as the author:
- The author identifies himself as “the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). This fits Solomon.
- The author shows extensive knowledge of wisdom, proverbs, and science, consistent with Solomon’s reputation (1 Kings 4:29-34).
- The author relates his extensive building projects and wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:4-10), fitting Solomon’s lavish building accomplishments (1 Kings 6-7).
However, there are also reasons to question Solomonic authorship:
- Linguistic evidence indicates a late biblical Hebrew style, different than Solomon’s time.
- There are Persian loan words, suggesting a later writing after the Exile.
- The melancholy philosophy doesn’t match the confident wisdom of Proverbs.
Hezekiah
Some scholars propose King Hezekiah as the author. Hezekiah reigned in Judah around 715-686 BC. Reasons include:
- Hezekiah likely assembled much of the Old Testament, so he had access to Solomonic writings.
- As a later king, Hezekiah fits the linguistic style and Persian vocabulary.
- Hezekiah almost died and then God granted him 15 more years of life (Isaiah 38). This matches Qoheleth’s reflections on the brevity of life.
Ecclesiastical Leader
Because of the late Hebrew style and Persian words, some believe an Israelite leader living after the Babylonian Exile wrote Ecclesiastes, possibly in the 3rd century BC. This could be a senior religious official:
- The author has extensive learning, but no hints of actual royalty.
- The language fits the Second Temple period under Persia.
- The gloomy tone reflects the difficult post-Exilic period.
Fictional Autobiography
Some interpret Ecclesiastes as a fictional work written as an autobiography of Solomon. Reasons include:
- This solves the language and philosophical style issues if it’s presented as “Solomon.”
- The author never actually claims to be Solomon, just the “son of David, king in Jerusalem.”
- Presenting as Solomon allowed the author’s teachings to gain wider acceptance.
Unknown Sage
Many modern scholars believe Ecclesiastes was written by an unknown wisdom teacher. This accepts the late linguistic style and Persian words as dating it centuries after Solomon. The author uses Solomon as a literary device:
- The connection to Solomon gave the work credibility to teach true wisdom.
- The unknown teacher didn’t claim to literally be Solomon.
- The sage presents his teachings through the guise of Solomon reflecting back on his empty life.
Teachings and Purpose
So while the human author of Ecclesiastes remains unknown, the divine Author guided its teachings and preservation. The Book’s inspired wisdom and message transcend any particular teacher. Ecclesiastes cautions against pursuing meaning and fulfillment solely through human wisdom, pleasures, work, or wealth:
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 ESV)
Instead, Qoheleth points to the fear of God as the duty of all and that God will bring all human deeds into judgment:
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 ESV).
Throughout his reflections, Qoheleth comes back to the conclusions to follow God and find meaning in simple life gifts from above. In the uncertainty of human existence under the sun, Qoheleth calls people to put their faith in the eternal God.
Solomon Seeking Fulfillment
The Book of Ecclesiastes opens with its teacher presenting himself as Solomon. He reflects back on his life pursuits to find lasting meaning and satisfaction. Solomon recounts seeking fulfillment through human wisdom, laughter and pleasure, material possessions, abundant building projects, alcohol, and sexual relationships:
“I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:1 ESV).
Solomon realized the vanity of life lived only under the sun apart from God. All human toil and work remain meaningless without transcendent purpose:
“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:11 ESV).
Qoheleth as Solomon details the meaningless cycles of life he observed. Human generations come and go, the world remains unchanged, and no remembrance lasts. He sees futile labor, oppression, isolation, and the certainty of death rendering all human efforts vain:
“All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:20-21 ESV).
Calls To Fear God
In the midst of his gloomy reflections, Qoheleth repeatedly returns to calls to follow and fear God:
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b ESV).
This provides the answer to all his searching. Qoheleth affirms that lasting meaning and purpose come from God as the source of true fulfillment:
“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV).
He points his listeners to righteousness, wisdom, patience, and contentment within God’s providence. This brings more lasting benefit than self-indulgence or discontentment.
Joy Despite Vanity
Qoheleth also shows that finding joy in the simple gifts of life can provide some relief from the vanity of human toil:
“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7 ESV).
God provides good gifts of food, drink, family, and work to give glimpses of blessing even amid the vaporous nature of life under the sun. So Qoheleth points people to find contentment in God’s daily provisions.
Life As Vapor
One of the key themes running throughout Ecclesiastes is the vaporous, futile nature of human life under the sun:
“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity! What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 ESV).
Qoheleth uses the metaphor of vapor or mist to symbolize how life appears and then disappears like a fleeting breath. Even the greatest human accomplishments eventually fade away into nothingness.
Only God and His truth remain steady and sure. All else passes away no matter how hard people strive and work. This theme counters human pride and calls people to rely on their Creator and not earthly labors alone.
Good Gift of Work
Despite the vanity of work under the sun, Qoheleth also shows how God provides work as a good gift for people to find daily meaning:
“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God” (Ecclesiastes 2:24 ESV).
Hard but satisfying labor provides some respite from the vapors of life. God enables people to find pleasure and purpose in their daily responsibilities. Wise living recognizes work as part of God’s overall providence.
Future Judgment
In the midst of meaningless vapor, Qoheleth points to God’s future judgment as the great equalizer that will unravel any seeming injustices:
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14 ESV).
God’s righteous judgment reassures that evil deeds will not remain hidden. The Teacher calls people to holy fear knowing that even their secret sins will be judged by their Creator.
Enjoy Life Despite Pitfalls
Qoheleth also encourages his listeners to embrace wisdom but still find enjoyment in life despite its many snares and pitfalls:
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him” (Ecclesiastes 5:18 ESV).
Life is brief and often frustrating, so receive it as a gift from God. Savoring basic provisions and wise living bring needed perspective amid the vaporous pursuits that fail to satisfy.
Embrace Mysterious Providence
In the face of life’s uncertainties, Qoheleth points people to accept and embrace God’s mysterious providence:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV).
God has written eternity into the human heart but keeps His full purposes veiled. This calls for humble trust rather than prideful grasping for that which lies beyond human reach.
Transcendent Meaning
The vaporous nature of life under the sun finds its answer in the eternal God who alone provides transcendent meaning. Qoheleth points beyond human teachers, wisdom, pleasure, wealth, and toil to find purpose in relationship with the Creator.
Only through reverent fear of God can people move beyond vanity to embrace the simple gifts He provides each day. The duty of all is to fear God and keep His commandments while embracing the meaningful work, pleasures, and wisdom He graciously apportions.