In | Workbook: Who Is Qohelet?

Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

Some books, like Joshua and Ruth, have received titles for obvious reasons. The English name for this book, “Ecclesiastes,” is not so simple. See if this makes sense:

Ecclesiastes is a Latin transliteration of a Greek translation of a Hebrew word that is itself a pseudonym or pen name. (You’ll probably have to reread that sentence a few times!)

It may be the least intuitive book title in the entire Bible. But by looking briefly at a handful of passages we might better understand the identity of this book and its author.

In Hebrew, the author is known as Qohelet, which means “Collector of teachings,” or more succinctly, “the Teacher.”

This word qohelet appears in seven verses throughout the text. After reading these verses below you’ll record observations of  “the Teacher’s” purpose and identity.

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem ….
Ecclesiastes 1:1 (NIV)

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 
Ecclesiastes 1:12 (NIV)

“Look,” says the Teacher, “this is what I have discovered:
“Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things ….” 
Ecclesiastes 7:27 (NIV) 

“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
    “Everything is meaningless!” 
Ecclesiastes 12:8 (NIV)

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. 
Ecclesiastes 12:9 (NIV)

The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 
Ecclesiastes 12:10 (NIV)

1. What do we know about the identity of the Teacher?

2. What is the Teacher’s purpose for writing this book, and how did he approach his task?