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 mere breath, a chasing of the wind.


It is estimated that Solomon lived in the 10th century BC. Scholars today suggest that the language of Ecclesiastes includes words that are from a period after the Babylonian exile. This period began with the decree of Cyrus in 538 BC, which allowed the Hebrew people to return to rebuild their temple while remaining a part of the Persian Empire. Tradition, both Jewish and Christian, suggests that Solomon was the author, giving the strange text of Ecclesiastes credibility. Because there is evidence of a compiler, it is quite possible that both perspectives are true. Solomon could have authored the main text, which was compiled and updated by the editor. 


It is important to recall that the Bible in its ancient form was part of a family of scrolls. It was not a bound book. In the early temple and the second-temple Israel, and in the synagogue, scrolls were grouped and collected in the categories of the Law (Torah), the Prophets, and the Writings. (This is the way that Jesus speaks of them.) The Hebrew Bible maintains this categorization and order. For example, the Hebrew Bible ends intentionally with 2 Chronicles (and the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple). The Hebrew Canon was only formalized circa 90 AD. The scroll of Ecclesiastes is read, in Hebrew tradition, during the harvest, as some of its themes logically imply.


A good overview and introductory video to the book by the Bible Project can be found HERE. It suggests that there is important wisdom that can be learned from the Teacher. For example, we are not in control. We need to accept the “gift of circumstance” and live with complete surrender and trust, receiving the gifts of God. We need to exchange our false hopes for future hope. 


Ecclesiastes is one of the books in the Old Testament that does not use the personal name of God (YHWH), the only other exception being Esther. Ecclesiastes uses the title 'God' -- Elohim. This suggests a universality to the book beyond just the scope of Israel. This is another peculiarity about the book.


To grasp the intention of the writer, we need to rethink our reading habits. Rather than merely looking at fragments, we need to hear the text as a whole. We need to read “epilogically” with the end or epilogue in mind. The author, the 'master of assemblies, ' ends with a puzzle he cannot solve. The Editor summarizes: fear God, and keep his commandments. There will be a judgment. Qoheleth seems unorthodox; the conclusion invokes things which appear negative to us – fear, rules, and judgment. However, fear is the counsel of the Wisdom Tradition. The commandments are the Mosaic Law (Torah, the teaching), and judgment suggests the future Messianic tradition. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, is what the New Testament writers, writing in Greek, quote from. In that translation, the Messiah and sometimes the kings are called Christos, Christ, the anointed. Qoheleth discovers a puzzle with a missing piece. The puzzle can only be solved Christologically, with the hope for the appearance of the Messiah.  Even to this day, the wisdom of life is to trust -- no matter what, and thanksgiving for the gifts of God despite hevel. 


A Story: Solomon's Doozie? The Duesenberg Model J




 


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