📖 Biblical Definition
Ecclesiastes is the Old Testament wisdom book commonly ascribed to Solomon in his old age — written from the perspective of Qoheleth ("the Preacher" or "Assembly-leader"). The book is structured around the keyword hevel (Hebrew "breath, vapor, smoke") — translated "vanity" in the KJV — appearing 38 times. The Preacher tests one domain of human life after another (wisdom, pleasure, work, wealth, power, religion) and pronounces each "vanity and vexation of spirit" when considered "under the sun" apart from God. The book closes with its only sufficient verdict: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment" (12:13-14). Vapor terminates in fearing God.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ECCLESIAS'TES, n.
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A canonical book of the Old Testament, by general consent ascribed to Solomon, in which he discourses on the vanity of human life and pursuits.
📖 Key Scripture
Ecclesiastes 1:2 — "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 — "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."
Ecclesiastes 12:13 — "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
Ecclesiastes 12:14 — "God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Pop-existentialism quotes Ecclesiastes for the despair and skips the conclusion.
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Ecclesiastes is one of the great philosophical books in world literature. Solomon (in his old age) walks the reader through every counterfeit answer to the meaning of life: pleasure, learning, wealth, power, accomplishment, sex. Each is tested. Each is named hevel — vapor, breath, untraceable smoke. The reader is meant to nod in recognition: yes, that is exactly what life under the sun feels like.
Modern existentialism stops here and calls it courageous despair. Ecclesiastes refuses. Chapter 12 closes the book with two clauses that make the entire diagnosis useful: Fear God, and keep his commandments... for God shall bring every work into judgment. Vapor under the sun is real; vapor before the throne is not. The corrective is not optimism but reverence. Read the whole book or you will misuse it.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Qoheleth; hevel (H1892), vapor.
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H6953 — Qoheleth — the Preacher; assembler
H1892 — hevel — vapor; breath; vanity
G1577 — ekklesia — assembly (related root)
Usage
"Vapor under the sun is real; vapor before the throne is not."
"Pop-existentialism quotes the despair and skips chapter 12; do not be deceived."
"The corrective to vanity is not optimism but reverence: fear God, keep His commands."