Ecclesiastes: Life Under the Sun

Ecclesiastes at a Glance

Ecclesiastes is the book of a man who had everything and found it was not enough. It is honest, sometimes startling, and useful to anyone who has chased satisfaction and come up empty.

• Author. Solomon. He calls himself the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:1; Ecclesiastes 1:12). Some scholars date the book centuries later because of its Hebrew. We take the book at its word. Many believe Solomon wrote late in life, looking back on years when his heart was led away (1 Kings 11:4).
• Date. About 935 BC, late in Solomon's reign.
• Written To. God's people, and anyone who is chasing satisfaction in what this life can give.
• Setting. Jerusalem, at the height of Solomon's wealth and wisdom. He has tried everything and reports what he found.
• Key Verse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
• Key Word or Theme. Vanity, from the Hebrew hebel, which means a breath or a vapor, and under the sun, which means life seen from earth alone.