translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: ECC

label: NET study note

text: While 1:1 says only “king in Jerusalem” ( מֶלֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלָםִ , melekh birushalayim ), 1:12 adds “king over Israel in Jerusalem” ( בִּירוּשָׁלָםִ מֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל , melekh ’ al-yisra ’ el birushalayim ). The LXX adds “Israel” in 1:1 to harmonize with 1:12 ; however, the MT makes sense as it stands. Apart from David, only Solomon was “king over Israel in Jerusalem” – unless the term “Israel” ( יִשְׂרָאֵל , yisra ’ el ) in 1:12 is used for Judah or the postexilic community. Solomon would fit the description of the author of this book, who is characterized by great wisdom ( 1:13, 16 ), great wealth ( 2:8 ), numerous servants ( 2:7 ), great projects ( 2:4-6 ), and the collection, editing and writings of many proverbs ( 12:9-10 ). All of this generally suggests Solomonic authorship. However, many scholars deny Solomonic authorship on the basis of linguistic and historical arguments.


text: The form of the title is typical: (1) “the words of [the writer],” (2) his family name or name of his father, and (3) his social/political position in Israel (e.g., Prov 22:17; 24:23; 30:1; 31:1 ). Sometimes, the writer’s qualifications are given in the introduction to an OT book (e.g., Jer 1:1 ; Amos 1:1 ). Qoheleth lists his qualifications at the end of the book ( 12:9-12 ). map For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


text: See the note on “Teacher” in v. 1 .


text: The Hebrew root עָמָל , (’ amal , “toil”) is repeated here for emphasis: “What gain does anyone have in his toil with which he toils .” For all his efforts, man’s endeavors and secular achievements will not produce anything of ultimate value that will radically revolutionize anything in the world. The term “toil” is used in a pejorative sense to emphasize that the only thing that man obtains ultimately from all his efforts is weariness and exhaustion. Due to sin, mankind has been cursed with the futility of his labor that renders work a “toilsome” task ( Gen 3:17-19 ). Although it was not yet revealed to Qoheleth, God will one day deliver the redeemed from this plight in the future kingdom when man’s labor will no longer be toilsome, but profitable, fulfilling, and enjoyable ( Isa 65:17-23 ).


text: This does not deny man’s creativity or inventiveness, only the ultimate newness of his accomplishments. For example, there is no essential difference between the first voyage to the moon and the discovery of America (different point of arrival, different vehicles of travel, but the same essential action and results).