What the Hevel? An Introduction to Ecclesiastes.
Chasing the Wind What the Hevel ? We have had an introductory conversation about Ecclesiastes. Our task presently is to read chapters 1 and 2 (or more) and seek to discover, daily, where the ideas of Ecclesiastes intersect our lives. We are seeking to have our eyes open to the wisdom of the text. The book is read in Israel after the harvest. In essence, we are exploring 12 weeks of Thanksgiving. Ecclesiastes is the story of Solomon . Tradition suggests that Solomon was the writer, but the book of Ecclesiastes never names him. There are two “voices” in the text. The compiler or editor who introduces and concludes the book and the primary writer, who was described as Qoheleth , likely a title, sometimes translated as the Teacher. Ecclesiastes can be best symbolized by the word hevel, used 39 times , exclusively in scripture, in this book. Hevel is the Hebrew word that suggests that nothing makes sense. All is vanity, futile, meaningless. Everything is like smoke, vapour or me...