Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes) is one of the canonical books of the Old Testament
Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes) is part of the canonical books of the Old Testament. This is also the 33rd part of the Tanakh and the 7th book of Ketuvim. It is instructive in nature and therefore follows the Proverbs of Solomon. In the Russian Bible it is placed among the books of Solomon, and in the Hebrew Bible it is placed between the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the book of Esther.
Ecclesiastes. Book cover. 19th century. Ecclesiastes refers to the canonical biblical works in the genre of wisdom literature
Priest Alexander Men believes that the book belongs to the circle of writings of the hakam sages. It, like Job, Proverbs, and the Song of Songs, makes no direct reference to the Law, Covenant, or sacred history.
The author of the essay, at the same time, stands on universal human positions and therefore it is understandable to people of any country and era. The main idea of the book is “the vanity of the present.” The biblical writer expresses it in poetic form. Many ancient translations of its text have survived, which indicates the popularity of this literary work.
Name
The Greek and Russian title of the book is a Greek translation of the Hebrew word kohelet
(from
kagal
, "to gather"), meaning a preacher in an assembly.
“Qohelet” is a word not recorded anywhere else. In form, it is the participle of the verb “kahal” “to gather, to convene” and is usually interpreted as “leading a meeting, speaking to the public” or “preaching in an assembly, teaching the people.” By “meeting” we mean a gathering of full-fledged citizens, that is, in an expanded sense, the entire Jewish people. There are two difficulties with this interpretation. Firstly, the verb “kahal” does not exist in its original form, and in the causative meaning “to gather, to convene” only the “hifil” breed is used. It turns out that “kohelet” is a participle of a non-existent verb. However, in poetic language (and we are dealing with a poetic book) this is possible. Secondly, “kohelet” is a feminine participle, which clearly does not correspond to the gender of the author. But if we remember that abstract concepts in Hebrew are usually feminine, “kohelet” can be interpreted as instructive wisdom
— Eduard Grigorievich Yunts (first published in the journal “Problems of Philosophy”, 1991, no.
The name "Ecclesiastes" is translated as "preacher", it is a tracing from the Greek word "kohelet"
The book is called Ecclesiastes because it was written from the perspective of “Ecclesiastes, the son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecc. 1:1). This name is a Greek translation from the Hebrew word “kohelet”. It means the preacher in the congregation.
That is why in the Christian canon the work is called Ecclesiastes or Ecclesiastes. Translated from Greek, it means “speaker in the assembly.” The full title in the synodal translation of this book is as follows: “The Book of Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher.”
Saint Gregory of Nyssa. Mosaic of the 11th century in the Kiev St. Sophia Cathedral. Saint Gregory of Nyssa believes that the name Ecclesiastes points to the highest Teacher of the Church - Jesus Christ
Modern theologians point out that the word "kah'al" means a meeting of the entire Old Testament Community or a prayer meeting of believers. That is why the Greek translator derived his book’s title from the word “ekklesia” - national assembly, Church. That is why the meaning of the word “Qohelet-Ecclesiastes” is conveyed as a preacher or speaker in the congregation.
It is worth noting that Saint Gregory of Nyssa sees in this name an indication of the highest Teacher of the Church - Christ (Ikk. Ekk 2:1). Thus, we can conclude that the title of the work is symbolic and not chosen by chance.
The Mystery of Ecclesiastes
Almost every Book included in the biblical canon has an indication of the name of its author. Therefore, when introduced to the Book of Ecclesiastes, many have no doubt about who wrote it: “Ecclesiastes is probably the name of some prophet.” Is this judgment correct? What does the book of Ecclesiastes say and why is it important for Christians?
Biblical King Solomon (medieval Catholic fresco)
King Solomon is considered the author of Ecclesiastes; it was he who said: “... all is vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit...”
There is still debate about who is considered the author of Ecclesiastes. Jewish and Christian tradition names King Solomon as the author of this work. However, his name is not directly mentioned in the book.
The name Solomon can be found at the point in the book where the author of the work symbolically takes upon himself the name of Ecclesiastes. Here he calls himself the son of David and says that he is the king of Jerusalem. If we take the Syriac translation of the text, then its title directly states: “the book of Kohelet, that is, Solomon, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.”
King Solomon. Armenian miniature from the Bible of 1269. Most scholars and theologians attribute the authorship of Ecclesiastes to King Solomon
In the 17th century, Hugo Grotius first expressed doubts that the authorship of the work belonged to Solomon. Moreover, even in the Talmud one can find a statement that the book was written later and therefore its author is not King Solomon.
Subsequently, a number of Protestant scholars, based on Grotius’s statement, began to decisively reject the authenticity of the book itself.
Hugo Grotius first expressed doubts about the authorship of Ecclesiastes in the 17th century.
As for the time of writing Ecclesiastes, such doubts forced theologians and scientists to argue about the time of writing the book. The main versions of this are as follows:
- Nachtigall dates it to the time between Solomon and Jeremiah (975-588 BC);
- Schmidt and Jan - by 699-588 BC. e.;
- Delitzsch - to 464-332 BC;
- Gitzig - by 204 BC. e.;
- Graetz - to the reign of Herod the Great.
The basis for their doubts about the authenticity of the book of Ecclesiastes are external and internal signs that do not correspond to the spirit of Solomon’s time. So, for example, in the text of the work there are foreign, Iranian and Aramaic words; the disasters of life are depicted, which did not exist under Solomon.
The Bible says nothing about the author of such a book, while abstract philosophical terms that are not found in other biblical books are introduced into its text. Experts also note a strong influence on the text of the work of Greek philosophy.
Michelle Van Mierveld. Michael Hugo Grotius. 19th century engraving. Dutch lawyer, philosopher, theologian, Christian apologist, playwright and poet. Hugo Grotius was the first to question the authorship of Ecclesiastes
Proponents of the approach that Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon say that the existing doubts do not provide enough reason to doubt the authenticity of the book. So Solomon could use foreign words, because he loved everything foreign, in addition, the king maintained active trade and political relations with foreign states.
In addition, the book of Ecclesiastes depicts only those disasters that are generally inseparable from human life. In this case, the abstract words could be the creation of Solomon's own wisdom.
Ecclesiastes was greatly influenced by ancient Egyptian literature
In any case, King Solomon in the Old Testament appears to be the ideal of a sage and at the same time a man who has drunk to the bottom the cup of earthly joys - from carnal pleasures to knowledge of the world. That is why the author of Ecclesiastes is named after him.
Moreover, the earliest manuscript of Ecclesiastes was found in the 4th Qumran cave near the Dead Sea. It dates back to approximately 150 BC. Thus, the book could not have been written later than this date.
Fragment of the Book of Ecclesiastes. Qumran. 175–150 BC. The earliest manuscript of Ecclesiastes was found in the Qumran caves. Makes it possible to determine the dating of this work
Jewish teachers opposed the inclusion of the book in the canon. The Church accepted it as part of the Holy Scriptures, contrary to the opinion of Theodore of Mopsuestia, who disputed its divine inspiration.
Modern scholars point to the fact that the text of Ecclesiastes was greatly influenced by ancient Egyptian literature of a religious nature. Among such works one can name “The Harper’s Song”, “Hakhaperraseneb’s Reflections with His Heart”, “Conversation with His Ba”, etc.
That is why modern scholars classify Ecclesiastes as one of the “wisdom literature” texts widespread in the Ancient East.
The book of Ecclesiastes is a unique phenomenon in the Bible
The book of Ecclesiastes is in many ways a unique phenomenon within the Bible, noticeably different from all its other books in the author’s way of thinking. Jewish tradition says that Solomon wrote in his old age, while the book of Song of Songs was written by him in his youth.
The main idea of the book comes down to the debunking of all earthly illusions. If the author of the Book of Job still considers prosperity in this life a sign of God’s mercy, then the Preacher shows the futility of everything earthly.
King Solomon on the throne. Song of Songs, engraving from the German National Museum. 1590 It is believed that King Solomon wrote the Song of Songs in his youth, and Ecclesiastes in his old age.
The main leitmotif of the work is expressed in its next line: “All is vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit”! In addition, such an expression as “he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” points to Ecclesiastes as an elderly sage who, during his long life, comprehended all the vanity of earthly things.
Therefore, he calls in his essay, among earthly vicissitudes, to seek happiness and peace in God. This is the true task of the wise man’s earthly life. It is not for nothing that the author chose the following words as the final words: “fear God and keep His commandments, because this is everything for man.”
The author of Ecclesiastes does not discuss life after death in his poems.
An interesting fact is that the author does not want to talk about life after death, after God’s judgment. However, he does not deny that God will bring everyone to judgment at the end of his days.
In the text of the book there is the following statement: “In much wisdom there is much sorrow; and whoever increases knowledge increases sorrow.” (Ecc. 1:18.). Thus, the author says that great knowledge gives rise to great sadness and therefore the author considers it impossible to talk about what he does not know.
Title of the handwritten edition of the “Holy Books of the Old Testament”. Vein. 1877 Some Jewish theologians of the Talmud opposed the inclusion of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible
The author of Ecclesiastes, speaking about the frailty and vanity of the reality around him, indicates that he does not see the meaning of life in the pursuit of earthly goods. Kohelet explains the frailty and vanity of the surrounding reality:
- the fall of people,
- the incomprehensibility of the ways of the Lord,
- the inevitability of death,
- uncertainty about what life after death is.
Ecclesiastes should not be misinterpreted as a hymn to human selfhood and independence from God. The author of the book trusts in God. In this regard, it should be noted that the objections of the Jewish theologians of the Talmud against the inclusion of the Book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible (Shabbat, 30 b) have been preserved. It was directly stated that it contained heretical views (Vayikra Rabba, 28a).
The book of Ecclesiastes contains 12 chapters
From a literary point of view, Ecclesiastes is considered a poetic work. It is divided into 12 chapters. The strophic form of Ecclesiastes was discovered by Köster in 1831. This discovery was later repeated by Waiging. They divided the book into 4 parts, with each part in turn divided into 3 sections. Almost all of them have 3 stanzas.
Video: Bible book Ecclesiastes. The author reads the text of Ecclesiastes.
The chapters of the book are devoted to the following topics:
Chapter 1. Reflections on the futility of human efforts, on the cycle of things in nature.
Chapter 2. Reflections on the futility of pleasure, wisdom and labor.
Chapter 3. Human labor does not affect the course of events in the world, which is controlled by God.
Chapter 4. Labor for evil, the futility of the fruits of labor.
Chapter 5. Reasoning about empty promises. The futility of labor. Joy from the wealth given by God.
Chapter 6. Reasoning that everything is predetermined. The limitations of human wisdom.
Chapter 7. The meaning of existence and the meaning of righteousness are unknown to man.
Chapter 8. God's reward may be incomprehensible to man
Chapter 9. A person does not know what awaits him, but death awaits everyone equally. Wisdom is not the key to success.
Chapter 10. Wisdom is better than stupidity.
Chapter 11. The call to work, to live joyfully, honoring His God. Dark days will follow this life.
Chapter 12. A call to responsibility in youth. Return to the thought of the vanity of existence.
Ecclesiastes consists of 12 chapters.
Thus, in the book of Ecclesiastes, the author analyzes the events of his life and comes to the conclusion that everything has already happened under the sun; all human life is vanity, that is, nonsense.
That is why statements like this are constantly found in the text:
(Ecc. 3:19)
“... because the fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same fate: as they die, so these die, and everyone has the same breath, and man has no advantage over cattle, because everything is vanity!
Or these:
(Ecc. 1:7)
“All rivers flow into the sea, but the sea does not overflow: to the place from which the rivers flow, they return to flow again.”
Is Ecclesiastes a sage or a pessimist?
What prompts Ecclesiastes to call all worldly affairs - righteousness, wisdom, wealth, prestige, fun and even life itself - vanity? Is Ecclesiastes really a hopeless pessimist?
“Yes, our life is filled with activities and events, constant anxiety, fear of the future. But the Book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that all our problems and worries really have no value: on the day we die, everything in the world will remain the same. What then is eternal and unshakable, on which a person can truly rely? He who has found the answer to this question follows the true path of wisdom, says Ecclesiastes. And this path is in the God-man” (Archpriest Stephen Freeman).
Father Alexander Men often turned to the text of Ecclesiastes for its interpretation
The interpretation of Ecclesiastes is a topic that Christian theologians have often addressed and continue to address. Thus, Archpriest Alexander Men periodically mentions this work in his works.
He points out that Ecclesiastes said that negative life experience allows us to understand that without God, without eternal life, everything is vanity. That is why this work is very popular among Christian ascetics.
Alexander Men, photographic portrait. Archpriest Alexander Men devoted much attention to interpretation in his theological works. Ecclesiastes
It is worth noting that the author of the work did not think or talk about posthumous retribution. He simply pointed out the frailty of the existing world and the futility of human aspirations: “There is also such a vanity on earth: “... the righteous suffer what the deeds of the wicked would deserve, and what happens to the wicked is what the deeds of the righteous would deserve. And I said: and this is “vanity”! (Eccl. 8:14.). Issues of posthumous retribution are raised in the New Testament. It is always worth remembering this and not replacing reading the Bible with reading Ecclesiastes.
The significance of Ecclesiastes is that it points out the futility of earthly goods, something that the Old Testament did not previously talk about.
In addition, Father Alexander Men points out, in addition to the vanity of existence, two more motives characteristic of Ecclesiastes. This is the theme of the world cycle and the theme of the futility of earthly hopes. At the same time, the author of the work says that he did not find consolation for himself in wisdom: “... and I gave my heart to explore and test with wisdom everything that is done under heaven: God gave this difficult task to the sons of men, so that they practiced it. (Eccl. 1:13).
Nowadays, many people do not know who said this, but they understand such a statement. Thus, Ecclesiastes raises in his work a universal theme that is relevant at all times - the futility of earthly goods. The value of Ecclesiastes for all of us lies in the general revaluation of earthly existence in the Old Testament consciousness.
Is there really “nothing new under the sun”?
Everyone is familiar with the catchphrase: “Everything new is well forgotten old.” It is unknown who exactly uttered this thought in this particular form. But the same meaning was expressed by Ecclesiastes: “... there is nothing new under the sun” (Book of Ecclesiastes, 1:9).
What seems new to us has already come into the world more than once. According to the law of endless circulation, everything repeats itself. Therefore, a person is simply not given anything truly new to see.
“What can happen subsequently that has not already been done or done by people? What is new, what has never been known from experience, what would be worthy of remembering? I think that there is nothing about which one could say something fresh, or, by comparing, find something new, completely unknown to the ancients” (St. Gregory the Wonderworker, Neocaesarea, 3rd century).
Many Christian theologians have tried to explain this judgment of Ecclesiastes. For example, in the famous Christian philosopher Origen (185-254) you can even find a theory about the existence of several worlds that change over time. However, such a teaching was rejected by the Church.
