Book 21 of 66 · Old Testament

Ecclesiastes

The Preacher's search for meaning "under the sun" — everything is vanity, so fear God and enjoy your days.

12 chapters222 versesWritten in HebrewSet A reflection on the meaning of life

Overview

Ecclesiastes is the Bible's most searching book — a hard, honest look at life "under the sun." The Preacher, who has tried wealth, pleasure, work, and wisdom, finds them all fleeting: "vanity of vanities." Yet the book is not despair. Its conclusion is to receive life as a gift, enjoy your daily bread and work, and "fear God, and keep his commandments," since he will bring everything into judgment.

Book facts

Author: "The Preacher" (traditionally Solomon)Calls himself "the Preacher, the son of David"; traditionally Solomon.
Date written: c. 900 or c. 300 BCTraditionally Solomon; many scholars date its language much later.
Original language: HebrewA distinctive, later style of Hebrew.
Setting: A reflection on the meaning of lifeThe search of one who had everything.

How it came to be

Ecclesiastes is spoken by one who calls himself "the Preacher, the son of David." Tradition identifies him as Solomon, who had the wealth and wisdom the book describes.

Its unusual, later Hebrew leads many scholars to date the writing well after Solomon.

What is arguedWhether Solomon wrote it, and how to read its refrain of "vanity" — as despair, or as realism that drives us to God.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

Chapter	What this chapter covers
Under the sun — the search for meaning, and its conclusion, chapters 1–12
Chapter 1Vanity of vanities	"Vanity of vanities; all is vanity"; there is nothing new under the sun.
Chapter 2The test of pleasure	The Preacher tries pleasure, wealth, and work, and finds them empty.
Chapter 3A time for everything	"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose."
Chapter 4Two are better	On oppression, rivalry, and the value of companionship.
Chapter 5Vows and riches	On worship, rash vows, and the emptiness of loving money.
Chapter 6The unsatisfied soul	Wealth without the ability to enjoy it is vanity.
Chapter 7The house of mourning	Wisdom sayings: sorrow can teach more than laughter.
Chapter 8The king's command	On authority, and the mystery of justice delayed.
Chapter 9One event to all	Death comes to all, so enjoy your life and work while you can.
Chapter 10The dead flies	Short sayings on wisdom and folly, rulers and words.
Chapter 11Bread upon the waters	Cast your bread upon the waters; rejoice, but remember God.
Chapter 12The days of youth	"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth"; the whole duty of man: fear God.

All 12 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

The book is traditionally credited to this king.

Known for

Some of the book's best-known lines — tap the verse to read it.

"Vanity of vanities"Ecclesiastes 1:2
"To every thing there is a season"Ecclesiastes 3:1
"Remember now thy Creator"Ecclesiastes 12:1
"Fear God, and keep his commandments"Ecclesiastes 12:13