As with much of the Bible's wisdom literature, Ecclesiastes is associated with Solomon; I like the idea that the Song of Solomon is a product of his lustful youth, Proverbs an expression of his sober middle age and Ecclesiastes the voice of his advancing years, a mix of both pessimism and enlightenment. Though of course we can't be sure that Solomon did in fact write the book, there's something attractive about the idea that he did, especially the image of a King Lear-like figure reflecting on the trappings of his wealth and power and deciding "all is vanity" (1:2, 1:14).
The book's strange name is a transliteration of the Hebrew word Qoheleth – the Greek word for church is "ekklesia" – and refers to someone who summons assemblies. Whether that figure is Solomon, or an anonymous preacher in Jerusalem in the early centuries BC, that's of less importance than the quality of the writing, which for me is easily some of the best in the Old Testament. There are so many quotable passages in the book, but only reading the whole gives a well-rounded sense of the writer's rapidly shifting moods, from bleak futility to rejoicing in life's simple pleasures.
Ecclesiastes has been a source of inspiration to so many writers, from early Christian philosophers like St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas to literary greats such as Shakespeare and Tolstoy, as well as modern authors such as Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. Politicians like Abraham Lincoln and musicians such as Pete Seeger and The Byrds have also been inspired by the Book of Ecclesiastes. Seeger took the opening words of chapter 3 almost verbatim for his song Turn! Turn! Turn! and, as was their great skill with covers, The Byrds added some extra jangly sparkle.
In essence, the words preach a simple but beautifully expressed dogma of there being an appropriate time for everything in our lives. What's interesting is what's added and left out by Seeger in the song. He chose to emphasise the "time of peace" line, adding "I swear it's not too late" – no doubt a comment on the Cold War – but left out the line that directly follows, "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" (3:9). A more modern translation is, "But in the end, does it really matter what anyone does?", a futile sentiment that undermines the eight previous lines.
This happens a lot in Ecclesiastes, and chapter 3 is a particularly good example of how subversive the book's message is within the context of the Bible. We're basically told that we can never fathom God's plan for us and the world, so we may as well just enjoy the ride ("man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour", 3:13). Chapter 3 finishes with the message that humans are no better than the "beasts" (3:19) – something Darwin would explore further a few thousand years later – given that humans and animals alike will all one day return to dust. A little off-message!
Another curious passage that doesn't chime with the Bible's moral message is chapter 9, verse 11, which indicates that we won't necessarily be rewarded for being virtuous:
The book's strange name is a transliteration of the Hebrew word Qoheleth – the Greek word for church is "ekklesia" – and refers to someone who summons assemblies. Whether that figure is Solomon, or an anonymous preacher in Jerusalem in the early centuries BC, that's of less importance than the quality of the writing, which for me is easily some of the best in the Old Testament. There are so many quotable passages in the book, but only reading the whole gives a well-rounded sense of the writer's rapidly shifting moods, from bleak futility to rejoicing in life's simple pleasures.
Ecclesiastes has been a source of inspiration to so many writers, from early Christian philosophers like St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas to literary greats such as Shakespeare and Tolstoy, as well as modern authors such as Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. Politicians like Abraham Lincoln and musicians such as Pete Seeger and The Byrds have also been inspired by the Book of Ecclesiastes. Seeger took the opening words of chapter 3 almost verbatim for his song Turn! Turn! Turn! and, as was their great skill with covers, The Byrds added some extra jangly sparkle.
In essence, the words preach a simple but beautifully expressed dogma of there being an appropriate time for everything in our lives. What's interesting is what's added and left out by Seeger in the song. He chose to emphasise the "time of peace" line, adding "I swear it's not too late" – no doubt a comment on the Cold War – but left out the line that directly follows, "What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?" (3:9). A more modern translation is, "But in the end, does it really matter what anyone does?", a futile sentiment that undermines the eight previous lines.
This happens a lot in Ecclesiastes, and chapter 3 is a particularly good example of how subversive the book's message is within the context of the Bible. We're basically told that we can never fathom God's plan for us and the world, so we may as well just enjoy the ride ("man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour", 3:13). Chapter 3 finishes with the message that humans are no better than the "beasts" (3:19) – something Darwin would explore further a few thousand years later – given that humans and animals alike will all one day return to dust. A little off-message!
Another curious passage that doesn't chime with the Bible's moral message is chapter 9, verse 11, which indicates that we won't necessarily be rewarded for being virtuous:
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise,
nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill;
but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Below I've listed some of the quotes I highlighted while reading the book, it really is a treasure trove of wisdom and fine writing:
That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered (1:15)
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow (1:18)
The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all (2:14)
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field (5:9)
As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand (5:15)
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire (6:9)
A good name is better than precious ointment (7:1)
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth (7:4)
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things (10:19)
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment (11:9)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (12:13)
These quotes give a flavour of the thematic and philosophical twists and turns of the book, as well as the quality of the original poetry and of the KJV translation. We're told that wisdom and wealth cause sorrow and inequality, and that a reputation for good deeds and a warm heart will serve us best. There's definitely an undercurrent of joy and positivity throughout the book, despite the overall sense of world weariness, and a strong urge to seize the day, "for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest" (9:10). Though the book closes with an admonition to keep God's commandments, all that precedes that warning is a very open and honest appraisal of our time on this planet, free of judgment and full of humanity.
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