The JPS Bible Commentary: Ecclesiastes

Top Highlights

“Koheleth faces life’s inequities and absurdities—and refuses to impose pat and reassuring ‘meanings’ on them. Yet he maintains a faith in God’s rule and fundamental justness, and he looks for ways to create a meaningful life in a world where so much is senseless.” (Page ix)

“‘Time’ here is not a specific moment in time but rather an occasion or situation that is right for something.” (Page 20)

“The broad literary category to which Ecclesiastes belongs is Wisdom Literature. This is the body of writings that offer advice on how to succeed in life as well as reflections on its meanings and problems.” (Pages x–xi)

“The key term is hevel (plural, havalim; construct form, haveil; and pausal form, havel). Havel havalim is literally ‘vapor of vapors,’ which is to be understood as a superlative: ‘utter vanity, utter futility’ (NJPS), or (as I prefer) ‘utterly senseless’ or ‘utterly absurd.’” (Page 3)

“Koheleth has some unusual things to say, and his views should not be forced to fit presuppositions of what a biblical book must say. One need not grant the truth of all his opinions; the other biblical authors would not have. Koheleth’s hard and lonely theology is only one man’s view of the world and his glimpse of the Infinite. All truths are partial, all thinkers inadequate. Koheleth’s teachings are one motif—a poignant and significant discord—in the larger symphony of the biblical canon.” (Page ix)