IBS: Ecclesiastes 1

Ecclesiastes

Interpretive Question.

According to the Book of Ecclesiastes what is the meaningful life as opposed to the

“meaningless” life?

Comparison and Contrasts Between the Meaningless and Meaningful Life.

In the previous assignment an attempt was made to define the Hebrew hebel, which is

translated as “vanity” (KJV; occurring 33x) and “meaningless” (NIV; occurring 35x). From the

study of hebel a consistency of usage arises. Typically the term is used describe a sort of

emptiness or uselessness that comes from the pursuits of life. The Ecclesiastical writer appears to

view laboring with the hands as meaningless/empty/useless as the life of a mere animal because

all have a similar end: death (3:19). Therefore, everything is without meaning (1:2; 12:8) all

attempts to find meaning/significance/importance in this life are futile.

Nine times in the book the term “meaningless” is connected to the phrase “a chasing after

the wind” (1:14, 17; 2:11, 17, 26; 4:4, 6, 14; 6:9). The repeated connection of this word cannot

be overlooked when attempting to comprehend the author’s meaning. Further, the reader must

also see another repeated phrase, “under the sun,” connected with both “meaningless” and

sometimes with “a chasing after the wind” (1:3, 9, 14; 2:11, 17, 18, 19, 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). The relationship between these words

and phrases might give insight into finding meaning in all the meaningless.

The root Hebrew adverb for “meaningless” is derived from a similar word meaning “to

breath, to exhale” (Blue Letter, habal). Within this word family is also the idea of “vapor, mist,

darkness” Thus the interpreters rendered hebel in a metaphoric manner choosing “meaningless or

vanity” to describe emptiness. The phrase “chasing after the wind” is rendered “vexation of
 IBS: Ecclesiastes 2

spirit” in the KJV. The phrase appears to be a metaphorical tool used by the writer to describe a

“vain pursuit” (Blue Letter, r@`uwth) hence the NIV’s translation as “chasing.” Further the

metaphor calls upon the Hebrew ruwach and interprets it as “spirit” (KJV) and “wind” (NIV),

again drawing on the idea of breath or breathing.

Metaphorically the Ecclesiastical writer is suggesting to the reader that breathlessness

comes as one pursues after his own breath. This would be similar to the modern colloquialism “a

dog chasing his own tale.” This double meaning serves to emphasize the author’s contention that

life is meaningless. Nevertheless, the meaningless of life us not fully developed unless it is

connected to the phrase “under the sun.”

The phrase “under the sun” is a common phrase used metaphorically to describe

something that is done on the earth in light of the all-encompassing sun (Blue Letter, shemesh).

The term may also imply something that is considered materially temporal in nature (i.e. life,

wealth). It serves to portray the idea that one cannot take his or her wealth or wisdom with them

when death comes. Consequently the pursuit of what is transitory in nature is much like chasing

your tale: no matter how hard you work the object of your pursuit is always out of your grasp.

The inability to grasp the earthly desires of this temporal existence will, according to the

Ecclesiastical writer, lead to a meaningless existence.

The preponderance of metaphor to describe the meaninglessness of life that comes from

the vain pursuit of earthly things might also serve to give insight into how to find the meaningful

life. Chapter twelve of Ecclesiastes serves as the pivot wherein the writer turns from detailing the

meaningless of life to the idea of remembering one’s Creator (12:1-8). This shift from the

meaninglessness of everything to remembrance may suggest a movement toward a more positive

message.
 IBS: Ecclesiastes 3

If man is chasing the wind and that chasing is meaningless because it is only an attempt

to catch the temporal stuff (see 12:1-8) of life before it fades then the message of chapter twelve

brings light to finding meaning. The young man, after eleven chapters of warnings, is

admonished to remember God before he becomes old (12:1). This might imply that the other

eleven chapters detailing the meaninglessness of life are spoken to someone who has failed to

remember his Creator. By failing to remember his or her Creator by vainly pursuing the

terrestrial trappings life only became meaningless/empty/useless. On the other hand, if the young

man will heed the advice of the writer and remember his Creator and recognize that seeking the

earthly cannot bring significance then seeking what is not “under the sun” might bring meaning

to this life. By looking beyond the mere ephemeral and into the eternal where God is the supplier

the young man can find meaning. The things sought for “under the sun” are temporary but God is

not. What is “under the sun” is a mere “breath” but God is the giver of breath – the giver of

eternal life. Seeking the wisdom and pleasure of this world is a puff of smoke that is seen for a

moment but the wisdom and pleasures of God are eternal. The Creator has, after all, “set eternity

in the hearts of men” (3:11) and this eternity seems to have a need to touch its giver.

The meaninglessness revealed in the first eleven chapters appears to be connected to the

temporary or that which is “under the sun.” However, the Creator to whom the young man is to

fear and obey is eternal and by implication above the sun. The meaningful life can be found as

one opens their heart to the things of eternity and remembers their Creator. In so doing this the

person also puts the temporary in its proper perspective thus circumventing the frustration that

comes from seeking the low things; things that cannot and will never offer the hope of eternity.

To learn this lesson while one is young is wonderful and serves to help build a life of proper

priority between Creator and creation.

 IBS: Ecclesiastes 4

References

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for habal (Strong's 1891)". Blue Letter Bible.
1996-2010. 23 Jan 2010. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H1891&t=KJV >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for r@`uwth (Strong's 7469)". Blue Letter
Bible. 1996-2010. 23 Jan 2010. < http://
www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H7469&t=KJV >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for shemesh (Strong's 8121)". Blue Letter Bible.
1996-2010. 23 Jan 2010. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H8121&t=KJV >