Historical Setting
Although the text itself implies that Solomon is the author of Ecclesiastes, another alternative is that this is offered in the book as only one of many personae adopted by the sage throughout the book. The Hebrew term Qoheleth (translated “the Teacher”) suggests one who aggregates something. It could refer to disciples gathered under his instruction, philosophical sayings/conversations, or even various vantage points (i.e., a composite of profiles). Linguistic analysis suggests to many that the final form of the book is a product of the Persian period or even the Hellenistic period, but it is well attested in the ancient world that books compiled at late dates preserve information that had been circulating for centuries.
Literary Setting
Ecclesiastes clearly fits in the broad category of “wisdom” literature. It is familiar with and interacts with the teachings of the sages. Beyond that, its closest analogies in ancient literature are the reflections on death and on its significance for how we should live that occur in various kinds of literature. This focus on death is most clearly seen in the Egyptian Harpers’ Songs, and indeed there are many parallels between Ecclesiastes and the Harpers’ Songs described in the study notes in this Biblical book. Other ancient texts, most notably the Gilgamesh Epic, have similar reflections on mortality. Ecclesiastes, however, is neither a Harpers’ Song nor an epic poem; one could reasonably argue that it is in a class by itself. ◆
Key Concepts
• We should not expect to find “meaning” in life or to experience self-fulfillment in life apart from following God.
• The author is talking not about what should be pursued in a faith/covenant context but about what should not be pursued from a worldly perspective.
• We are to enjoy life’s good times as gifts from God’s hand and to accept adversity.