Name
The title “Ecclesiastes” comes from a Latin transliteration of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Koheleth  which means “Gatherer,” but is most often translated as “Teacher” or “Preacher.”
Author
The author of Ecclesiastes is not directly identified in the book. Ecclesiastes is generally ascribed to Solomon, who was the accepted author until the 1700s in the enlightenment era. During this time, linguistic arguments were put forth that some wording and grammar were not in use until the time of the Babylonian captivity. However, the internal evidence describing a king in Jerusalem of great wisdom, wealth, who sought out pleasure, had many servants and completed great building campaigns fits Solomon perfectly (and no one else).
Genre
Poetry
Literary Form
Wisdom Literature
Time Frame
Dating the book Ecclesiastes with precision is difficult due to the debate over authorship. If Solomon was indeed the author, it was likely written towards the end of his life around 930 B.C. However, if an unknown ‘teacher wrote it,’ it had to have been completed by 250-200 B.C.
Emphasis
The emphasis of Ecclesiastes is on the futility of everything that does not last (knowledge, wealth, possessions, power, and religious zeal), while man should fear God and enjoy the time he has in this life.
Outline
- God and the Futility of Life (1:1-2:26)
- Time and Eternity (3:1-22)
- Society (4:1-16)
- Religion (5:1-6:12)
- Wise Sayings (7:1-29)
- Wisdom as Prudence (8:1-10:20)
- Invest in Life (11:1-110)
- Aging and Death as Teachers (12:1-8)
- The Teacher’s Objectives (12:9-14)
