1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 24
Ecclesiastes

2. The Writing of the Book
Ascribed to "Qoheleth," whose identity is uncertain
Sometimes identified as Solomon, though there are problems with this
"Qoheleth” could mean convener, assembler, teacher, or preacher
Photo: "What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?" (Ecc. 1:3). Labor under the hot sun of the Middle East would be very difficult and would not be worth the effort unless good compensation was involved. This stone relief from the palace of Sennacherib shows prisoners being forced by guards to work in a stone quarry.

3. The Background Contains various literary genres
Allegories, sayings, metaphors, proverbs, etc.
Similar to works from ANE and Egypt
Dialogue of Pessimism, The Harper’s Song
Photo: "I undertook great projects. I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them" (Ecc. 2:4-5). Gardens were a luxury of the rich. In The Book of the Dead, this dead man and his wife are standing before Osiris, the god of the dead, in their garden.

4. Structure and Organization
Purpose and Message
Nothing "under the sun" can give life meaning
One should pursue a God-centered life
Structure and Organization
Follows the logical progression of the author's quest for meaning
Photo: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die" (Ecc. 3:1-2). The Egyptians had a sophisticated set of beliefs about the afterlife, and they spent much effort preparing for it. This image from The Book of the Dead of Nebqed depicts a man's soul flying in bird form down the tomb shaft.

5. Major Themes The Retribution Principle: Part 4
Experience vs. Revelation
Epicureanism vs. Piety
Photo: "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecc. 3:11). This tomb painting from Rameses VI depicts the journey of the sun disc through the underworld part of the Egyptian's extensive speculation about the netherworld.