Definitions for ecclesiastes
ɪˌkli ziˈæs tizec·cle·si·astes

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Ecclesiastes, Book of Ecclesiastesnoun

   an Old Testament book consisting of reflections on the vanity of human life; is traditionally attributed to Solomon but probably was written about 250 BC

WiktionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Ecclesiastesnoun

   A book in the Old Testament of the Bible. Sometimes abbreviated as Eccl. or Eccles.

2. Etymology: Latin Ecclesiastes, from Ancient Greek according Septuaginta Ἐκκλησιαστής

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ecclesiastes

   Ecclesiastes (; Biblical Hebrew: קֹהֶלֶת, romanized: Qōheleṯ, Ancient Greek: Ἐκκλησιαστής, romanized: Ekklēsiastēs) is one of the Ketuvim ("Writings") of the Hebrew Bible and part of the Wisdom literature of the Christian Old Testament. The title commonly used in English is a Latin transliteration of the Greek translation of the Hebrew word קֹהֶלֶת (Kohelet, Koheleth, Qoheleth or Qohelet). An unnamed author introduces "The words of Kohelet, son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1) and does not use his own voice again until the final verses (12:9–14), where he gives his own thoughts and summarises the statements of Kohelet; the main body of the text is ascribed to Kohelet himself. Kohelet proclaims (1:2) "Vanity of vanities! All is futile!"; the Hebrew word hevel, "vapor", can figuratively mean "insubstantial", "vain", "futile", or "meaningless". Given this, the next verse presents the basic existential question with which the rest of the book is concerned: "What profit hath a man for all his toil, in which he toils under the sun?", expressing that the lives of both wise and foolish people all end in death. While Kohelet endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that human beings should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God. The book concludes with the injunction to "Fear God and keep his commandments; for that is the duty of all of mankind. Since every deed will God bring to judgment, for every hidden act, be it good or evil." According to rabbinic tradition the book was written by King Solomon in his old age, but the presence of Persian loanwords and Aramaisms point to a date no earlier than about 450 BCE, while the latest possible date for its composition is 180 BCE.

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1. ecclesiastes

   Ecclesiastes is a book found in the Bible's Old Testament, specifically in the Wisdom literature section. It is considered a philosophical and reflective work attributed to King Solomon. Ecclesiastes explores existential themes such as the meaning of life, the pursuit of wisdom, the inevitability of death, and the fleeting nature of human endeavors. It offers observations about the nature of the world, human existence, and the limitations of human wisdom and achievements.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.5 / 2 votes

1. Ecclesiastesadjective

   one of the canonical books of the Old Testament

2. Etymology: [L., fr. Gr. a preacher. See Ecclesiastic, a.]

WikidataRate this definition:4.2 / 5 votes

1. Ecclesiastes

   Ecclesiastes, is a book of the Jewish Ketuvim and of the Old Testament. The title is a Latin transliteration of the Greek translation of the Hebrew Koheleth, meaning "Gatherer", but traditionally translated as "Teacher" or "Preacher". Koheleth introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem," perhaps implying that he is Solomon, but the work is in fact anonymous and was most probably composed in the last part of the 3rd century BC. The book is in the form of an autobiography telling of his investigation of the meaning of life and the best way of life. He proclaims all the actions of man to be inherently hevel, a word meaning "vain", "futile", "empty", "meaningless", "temporary", "transitory", "fleeting," or "mere breath," as the lives of both wise and foolish men end in death. While Koheleth clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life, he is unable to ascribe eternal meaning to it. In light of this perceived senselessness, he suggests that one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from the hand of God. The book concludes with an injunction to "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone".

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Ecclesiastes

   a book of the Old Testament, questionably ascribed to Solomon, and now deemed of more recent date as belonging to a period when the reflective spirit prevailed; and it is written apparently in depreciation of mere reflection as a stepping-stone to wisdom. The standpoint of the author is a religious one; the data on which he rests is given in experience, and his object is to expose the vanity of every source of satisfaction which is not founded on the fear, and has not supreme regard for the commandments, of God, a doctrine which is the very ground-principle of the Jewish faith; but if vanity is written over the whole field of human experience, he argues, this is not the fault of the system of things, but due, according to the author, to the folly of man (chap. vii. 29).

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1. ecclesiastes

   Quotes by ecclesiastes -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by ecclesiastes on the Quotes.net website.

Matched Categories

1. • Book

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce ecclesiastes?

1. Alex

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   David

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   Mark

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How to say ecclesiastes in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of ecclesiastes in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of ecclesiastes in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ecclesiastes
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastes
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ecclesiastes
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=ecclesiastes
7. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Ecclesiastes
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=ecclesiastes