Ecclesiastes An Introduction and Overview
Authorship The book begins with the statement, “The words of the Preacher” (1:1). The Hebrew term translated “preacher” is “Qohelet” or “Koheleth” (Ko-hay-leth). This is the title of the book in Hebrew. The term comes from a Hebrew root word which means “to call, to assemble, esp., assemblies for religious and solemn purposes. Hence, the “preacher” is a speaker in assemblies 1. The Greek translation of the Old Testament selected the Greek term “Ecclesiastes” (a member of an assembly). Instead of being a personal name--Koleleth from passages such as 12:9 appears to be a descriptive title, that is, the author of this book regularly addressed and taught the people. The English word “preacher” therefore is a very good translation, for a preacher is one who typically addresses an assembly which has gathered for spiritual and solemn purposes. “The Greek term ecclesiastes is a good translation of this term, for it too means preacher and is derived from ekklesia, meaning assembly” 2. Therefore, the book can be dated around 985 B.C., probably near the end of Solomon’s life. For the book describes much of his life experience (2:1-11). Is Solomon the Writer that God Used? Up until about the 16th century A.D., all Jewish and “Christian” writers agreed that Solomon was the human instrument which God had used to write this book. The first individual to argue otherwise was Martin Luther. The internal evidence fits Solomon. Beyond being a king in Jerusalem and a son of David (1:1,12). The writer claims to have possessed wealth and wisdom far beyond all the kings 1 Theological Wordbook Of The Old Testament, Harris, Archer, Waltke, p. 790 2 A Survey Of Old Testament Introduction, Gleason L. Archer, Jr., p. 475 1