Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange
Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ecclesiastes]

The book of Ecclesiastes (Hebrew: Kohelet, Qoheleth), attributed to Solomon. Not to be confused with the apocryphal book of Ecclesiasticus (also known as the Wisdom of Jesus ben Sirach).

While the book has traditionally been ascribed to Solomon, the claim is not strongly made in the book itself (1:1, 12, speaking only of "son of David" who was "king in Jerusalem").

Claims have often been made that the Hebrew language of the book points to a much later point in biblical history. Likewise, its world of thought has resonances with the Stoic tradition in the early Hellenistic period.

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Ecclesiastes 12.6: What is the 'silver cord'?

Ecclesiastes is not a book I've read very much. I know the broad outline of the book, and its concluding thesis ('Fear God and keep his commandments'), but not much of the specifics. I came to Ecclesiastes 12.6, and I'm curious about this 'silver…
user2910
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What is the significance of the structure of Ecclesiastes 3:2-8?

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 lists 28 events grouped in contrasting pairs which are connected by the phrase עֵ֥ת...וְעֵ֣ת. Each couplet is made up of one event which can considered as positive and another which can be considered as negative. This is most true…
Revelation Lad
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What are the crooked things that can't be made straight? (Ecclesiastes 1:15)

After stating that there is nothing really new in this meaningless existence in this world, the teacher says: What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. (Ecclesiastes 1:15, ESV) What sort of things does he mean…
Mike
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Life after death in Ecclesiastes

How did the author of Ecclesiastes understand life after death and man's relationship to eternity? What passages in the book address or allude to this topic? Inspired by a reading of Ecclesiastes 3:19-22.
jrdioko
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How should 'evil' be understood in Ecclesiastes 2:18-26?

In Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 the author talks about how toil and possessions in and of themselves is 'habel', a vapour/vanity. (18-19). He says this because death will take him and all that he has could be left to someone who has not earned/does does not…
LiamM
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Is being too good as a Christian a sin?

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:16‭-‬17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ [16] So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? [17] On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time. What really does it mean when it says don't be too good…
Atidoglo Toussaint Innocent
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How is there 'nothing new' in this life? (Ecclesiastes 1:10)

How would the author of Ecclesiastes originally reconciled his statement that 'there is nothing new' with technological advancements at his time or even the new teaching he was providing? What has been will be again, what has been done will be…
Mike
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The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. How?

Ecclesiastes 4:5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. What does this mean?
user35953
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Is there a contradiction in Ecclesiastes 8:12-13?

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13 NASB “Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his…
Lilias Carmichael
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Why have biblical translators chosen to use "vanity" instead of "meaningless" or "futile" for the Hebrew "hā·ḇel" in Ecclesiastes 12:8?

The word "vanity" is often used in modern Bible translations. As cited in the question, from the Book of Ecclesiastes: Ecclesiastes 12:8: "'Vanity of vanities,' says the Preacher, 'all is vanity!'" Here are some examples: HEB: הֲבֵ֤ל הֲבָלִים֙…
Xeno
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What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires

In Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NASB) What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and striving after wind. What's the meaning of the part I marked in bold?
Tiago Martins Peres
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Does man have no advantage over animals according to Ecclesiastes 3:19?

Ecclesiastes 3:19 NASB For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for men over beast, for all is vanity. What does it mean for…
Lilias Carmichael
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Ecclesiastes 12:9 the teacher was wise. Why past tense?

Near the end of the book, Ecclesiastes 12:9 New International Version Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. Was this line added by another person…
user35953
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Who is the “foreigner” in Ecclesiastes 6:2?

Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 (NASB) There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men— a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him…
Lilias Carmichael
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Did the story mentioned in Ecclesiastes 9:13 really happen?

Ecclesiastes 9:13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15Now…
user35953
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