Ecclesiastes Bible Study Resources

by Krisan Marotta | Sep 7, 2020 | 02 Library, Resources by Book

Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes.

Jump to: Background; ** Maps; ** Key Words; ** Encyclopedias; ** Commentaries; ** Articles; ** GotQuestions ** Next **

Basics

Author: Solomon, King of Israel, son of David
Date: c. 931 BC (later in Solomon’s life)
Distinguishing Features: despairing tone in outstanding poetry and loving reverence (fear) for God as foundation of wisdom.
Purpose: To draw a sharp contrast between the despair and meaninglessness of a world without God and the enjoyment and fulfillment of life given by God; to warn and instruct the young of the kingdom.
Key Texts: Ecclesiastes 2:24-25; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13; Ecclesiastes 5:20; Ecclesiastes 12:13
The English title, Ecclesiastes, comes from the Greek and Latin translations. The LXX, the Greek translation of the OT, used the Greek term ekklēsiastēs for its title. It means “preacher,” derived from the word ekklēsia, translated “assembly” or “congregation” in the NT.
Both the Greek and Latin versions derive their titles from the Hebrew title, Qoheleth, which means “one who calls or gathers” the people. It refers to the one who addresses the assembly; hence, the preacher.
Along with Ruth, Song of Solomon, Esther, and Lamentations, Ecclesiastes stands with the OT books of the Megilloth, or “five scrolls.” Later rabbis read these books in the synagogue on 5 special occasions during the year—Ecclesiastes being read on Pentecost.

Wisdom Literature

Job, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Solomon
General interest in humanity and universal pronouncements (as opposed to the people of Israel)
Grounded in a theology of creation
Fear of YHWH as proper context for wisdom, sometimes explicitly stated, but often implicit
Questioning attitude about the basic problems of life: why is there suffering, inequality, death, why do the wicked prosper, etc.

Genre: Understanding Hebrew Poetry

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Section 1: Background

Background & Outlines

Ray Stedman: Overview of each Book

John MacArthur: Author, Date, Background

ESV: Introduction to Ecclesiastes

ESV: The Global Message of Ecclesiastes

NIV: Introduction to Ecclesiastes

NIV: Wisdom Literature

Kenneth Boa: Ecclesiastes Overview

James van Dine: Ecclesiastes Introduction

Charles Swindoll: Book of Ecclesiastes Overview – Insight for Living Ministries

JVernon McGee: Ecclesiast e s & Song of Solomon

Paul van Gorder: OT Reflections of Christ – Ecclesiastes

David Malick: The Book of Ecclesiastes – Introduction

David Malick: An Argument of the Book of Ecclesiastes

Major Chara c teristics of Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism

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Section 2: Maps

Maps from Holman Bible Atlas

The Battle at Ebenezer and the Loss of the Ark

The Ministry of Samuel and Anointment of Saul

The Kingdom of Saul and His Wars

Saul, 1000 BCE

David’s Flight from Saul

David’s Rise to Power

David in Conquest of Canaan

David’s Wars of Conquest

Kingdom of David and Solomon

The United Monarchy under Solomon (1)

The United Monarchy under Solomon (2)

Solomon’s Economic Enterprises

Solomon’s Building Activities

Solomon’s Temple

Jerusalem in the Time of David and Solomon

ESV Maps

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Section 3: Key Words

Key Words

God – 41x/36v – Eccl 1:13; 2:24, 26; 3:10-11, 13-15, 17-18; 5:1-2, 4, 6f, 18-20; 6:2; 7:13-14, 18, 26, 29; 8:2, 12-13, 15, 17; 9:1, 7; 11:5, 9; 12:7, 13-14

Under the sun – 29x in 27v – Eccl 1:3, 9, 14; 2:11, 17-20, 22; 3:16; 4:1, 3, 7, 15; 5:13, 18; 6:1, 12; 8:9, 15, 17; 9:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 10:5

Vanity – 22x/16v – Eccl 1:2, 14; 2:11, 15, 19, 21, 23, 26; 3:19; 4:4, 7-8, 16; 5:10; 6:2; 12:8

Wise – 24x/23v – Eccl 2:14-16, 19; 4:13; 6:8; 7:4-5, 7, 16, 19, 23; 8:1, 5, 17; 9:1, 11, 15, 17; 10:2, 12; 12:9, 11

Wisdom – 27x/24v – Eccl 1:13, 16-18; 2:9, 12-13, 21, 26; 7:10-12, 19, 23, 25; 8:1, 16; 9:10, 13, 15-16, 18; 10:1, 10

Fool (ish) – 25x/23v – Eccl 2:14-16, 19; 4:5, 13; 5:1, 3-4; 6:8; 7:4-6, 9, 17, 25; 9:17; 10:1-3, 12, 14-15

Righteous (ness) – 11x/9v – Eccl 3:16f; 5:8; 7:15f, 20; 8:14; 9:1f (cf Justice – Ec 3:16, 5:8)

Wicked (ness) – 10v/8v – Eccl 3:16f; 7:15, 17; 8:10, 14; 9:2; 10:13

Evil – 20x/18v – Eccl 2:21; 4:3; 5:1, 13, 16; 6:1; 7:25; 8:3, 8, 11-14; 9:3, 12; 10:5; 12:1, 14

Labor* – 26x/19v – Eccl 2:10f, 18-22, 24; 3:13; 4:4, 6, 8f; 5:15, 18f; 6:7; 8:17; 9:9

Toil – 6x/6v – Eccl 3:9; 5:16, 18; 8:15; 9:9; 10:15

Rich* – 8x.8v – Eccl 4:8; 5:12-14, 19; 6:2; 10:6, 20 (Wealth – 4x/4v – Eccl 1:16; 5:19; 6:2; 9:11)

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Section 4: Encyclopedias

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Ecclesiastes, Theology of –

The Jewish Encyclopedia: Ecclesiastes, Book of

Fausset Bible Dictionary Ecclesiastes, the Book of

Holman Bible Dictionary Ecclesiastes, Book of

Morrish Bible Dictionary Ecclesiastes, Book of

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Ecclesiastes

American Tract Society Ecclesiastes

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Ecclesiastes

Chabad Knowledge Base Ecclesiastes

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Ecclesiastes

Hitchcock Bible Names Ecclesiastes

Watson’s Theological Dictionary Ecclesiastes

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Section 5: Commentaries

Commentaries & Study Bibles

Top 5 Commentaries – Ecclesiastes by Keith Mathison – Ligonier Ministries

Best Commentaries on Ecclesiastes – Tim Challies

Best Commentary on Ecclesiastes

Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible:

Matthew Henry: Ecclesiastes

Albert Barnes Notes: Ecclesiastes

Reformation Study Bible Notes: Ecclesiastes

Geneva Study Bible: Ecclesiastes

Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Ecclesiastes

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Section 6: Articles

Articles

Gleason Archer – The Linguistic Evidence for the Date of Ecclesiastes

Robert McCabe – Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 – audio

Robert McCabe – Message of Ecclesiastes – 27 page paper

Robert McCabe – Navigating Life in a World that has Been Scarred by the Fall: Reflections on Ecclesiastes 9;7-10 and Living in a World of Suffering – 16 pages

Ecclesiastes Bibliography (Dave Beldman)

Ecclesiastes Bibliography (Ted Hildebrandt)

Duane A. Garrett, “Ecclesiastes 7:25-29 and the Feminist Hermeneutic,” Criswell Theological Review 2 (1988) 309-21.

F. F. Bruce, “The Wisdom Literature of the Bible: The Book of Ecclesiastes,”

Brindle, Wayne A. “Righteousness and Wickedness in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 23 (1985) 243-57.

Craig Bartholomew, “Qoheleth in the Canon?: Current Trends in the Interpretation of Ecclesiastes,” Themelios 24.3 (May 1999): 4-20.

Duane A. Garrett, “Qoheleth On The Use And Abuse Of Political Power,” Trinity Journal 8.2 (1987): 159-177.

Thomas Francis Glasson, “‘You Never Know’: The Message of Ecclesiastes 11:1-6,”The Evangelical Quarterly 55.1 (Jan.-Feb. 1983): 43-48.

Anson F. Rainey, “A Study of Eccleisates,” Concordia Theological Monthly 35 (1964) 148-57.

James S. Reitman, “The Structure and Unity of Ecclesiastes,” Bibliotheca Sacra154: 615 (1997): 297-319.

George M. Schwab, Sr., “Woman as the object of Qohelet’s search,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 39.1 (Spring 2001): 73-84.

H. Carl Shank, “Qoheleth’s World and Life View as Seen in His Recurring Phrases,”Westminster Theological Journal 37 (1974) 57-73.

Martin A. Shields, “Ecclesiastes and the End of Wisdom,” Tyndale Bulletin 50.1 (1999): 117-139.

Melvin Tinker, “Evil, Evangelism and Ecclesiastes,” Themelios 28.2 (Spring 2003): 4-15.

Roy Zuck “God and Man in Ecclesiastes,” Bibliotheca Sacra 148 (Jan.-Mar. 1991) 46-56.

Ardel B Caneday. “Qoheleth: Enigmatic Pessismist or Godly Sage?” Grace Theological Journal 7 (1986) 21-56.

Barry C. Davis “Ecclesiastes 12:1-8–Death, An Impetus for Life,” Bibliotheca Sacra 148 (1991) 298-317.

William Henry Green. “Scope and Plan of the Book of Ecclesiastes,” Biblical Reparatory and Princeton Review 29 (1857) 419-40

Ardel B. Caneday: Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth): Enigmatic Pessimist or Godly Sage? (Grace Theological Journal 7.1, p 21-56, 1986)

James Reitman: The Structure and Unity of Ecclesiastes (Bib Sac 154: 297-319, 1997)

H Carl Shank: Ecclesiastes’ (Qoheleth’s) World and Life View as seen in His Recurring Phrases (Westminster Theological Journal 37: 57-73, 1974)

Roy Zuck: God and Man in Ecclesiastes (Bib Sac 148: 46-56, 1991) – Is Ecclesiastes a Misfit, Doctrine of God in Ecclesiastes, Doctrine of Man in Ecclesiastes.

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Section 7: Got Questions