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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ecclesiastes 1:1 These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/21_Ecc_01_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ecclesiastes 1:1 - Everything is Futile" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:" /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm" title="Proverbs 31:31">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 1:1 <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the son of David was king in Jerusalem, he was known to be very wise, and he said: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The words of the spokesman, the son of David and the king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />These are the words of the Philosopher, David's son, who was king in Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/ecclesiastes/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The words of the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ecclesiastes/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Words of a preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Words of a preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The words of the preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The words of Ecclesiastes, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The words of Ecclesiastes, the son of David, the king of Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ecclesiastes/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />THE words of Kohlat, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Sayings of the Preacher the son of David, King of Jerusalem<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ecclesiastes/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />THE WORDs OF the Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Israel in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8-2fxj-VcEg?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Everything is Futile</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê (N-mpc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">These are the words</a> <a href="/hebrew/6953.htm" title="6953: qō·he·leṯ (N-ms) -- Feminine of active participle from qahal; a assembler: abstractly, preaching.">of the Teacher,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">of David,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: bî·rū·šā·lim (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">in Jerusalem:</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-30.htm">1 Kings 4:30-32</a></span><br />Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. / Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">Proverbs 1:1</a></span><br />These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-41.htm">1 Kings 11:41-43</a></span><br />As for the rest of the acts of Solomon—all that he did, as well as his wisdom—are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? / Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. / And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-12.htm">1 Kings 3:12</a></span><br />behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-23.htm">1 Kings 10:23-24</a></span><br />So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/9-22.htm">2 Chronicles 9:22-23</a></span><br />So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">Proverbs 25:1</a></span><br />These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-42.htm">Matthew 12:42</a></span><br />The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-12.htm">1 Kings 2:12</a></span><br />So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-28.htm">1 Kings 3:28</a></span><br />When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/5-12.htm">1 Kings 5:12</a></span><br />And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">1 Kings 8:1</a></span><br />At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-1.htm">1 Kings 9:1</a></span><br />Now when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all that he had desired to do,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-1.htm">1 Kings 10:1</a></span><br />Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.</p><p class="hdg">the preacher</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:12</a></b></br> I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:27</a></b></br> Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, <i>counting</i> one by one, to find out the account:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:8-10</a></b></br> Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all <i>is</i> vanity… </p><p class="hdg">king</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:12</a></b></br> I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-42.htm">1 Kings 11:42,43</a></b></br> And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel <i>was</i> forty years… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/9-30.htm">2 Chronicles 9:30</a></b></br> And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">David</a> <a href="/psalms/147-12.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-10.htm">Koheleth</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">Preacher</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-1.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/songs/4-4.htm">David</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Koheleth</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Preacher</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Teacher</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Ecclesiastes 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">the preacher shows that all human courses are vain</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-4.htm">because the creatures are restless in their courses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm">they bring forth nothing new, and all old things are forgotten</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">and because he has found it so in the studies of wisdom</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This title suggests a role of gathering people to impart wisdom. The Teacher is traditionally understood to be Solomon, known for his wisdom and for compiling proverbs and teachings. The role of a teacher in ancient Israel was highly respected, as they were seen as conveyors of divine wisdom and guidance. This introduction sets the tone for a reflective and philosophical discourse, emphasizing the importance of wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible.<p><b>the son of David</b><br>This phrase identifies the Teacher as a descendant of King David, linking the speaker to the Davidic line, which holds significant importance in biblical history. David was the second king of Israel and a man after God's own heart, establishing a dynasty that would be central to Jewish messianic expectations. The reference to David not only establishes royal authority but also connects the Teacher to the promises God made to David, including the prophecy of a future eternal kingdom (<a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-16</a>). This lineage is crucial for understanding the messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is also referred to as the Son of David in the New Testament (<a href="/matthew/1.htm">Matthew 1:1</a>).<p><b>king in Jerusalem</b><br>This phrase situates the Teacher in a specific historical and geographical context. Jerusalem was the political and spiritual center of Israel, the location of the Temple, and the city chosen by God for His name to dwell (<a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm">1 Kings 11:36</a>). As king in Jerusalem, the Teacher would have had access to unparalleled resources, wisdom, and influence, allowing him to explore the themes of vanity and the search for meaning from a position of power and privilege. The mention of Jerusalem also underscores the city's significance in biblical prophecy and its role as a type of the heavenly Jerusalem described in <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a>. The Teacher's reflections, therefore, carry the weight of both royal authority and spiritual insight, offering a unique perspective on the human condition.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_teacher.htm">The Teacher (Qoheleth)</a></b><br>The term "Teacher" is translated from the Hebrew word "Qoheleth," which means "one who assembles" or "preacher." This title is traditionally attributed to Solomon, known for his wisdom and reflective writings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/son_of_david.htm">Son of David</a></b><br>This phrase identifies the Teacher as a descendant of King David, linking the author to the Davidic line, which is significant in biblical history and prophecy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_in_jerusalem.htm">King in Jerusalem</a></b><br>This specifies the Teacher's role and location, emphasizing his authority and the centrality of Jerusalem in Israel's spiritual and political life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">The Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>The introduction of Ecclesiastes invites us to seek wisdom, understanding that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_heritage.htm">The Importance of Heritage</a></b><br>Recognizing the Teacher as a "son of David" reminds us of the importance of spiritual heritage and the fulfillment of God's promises through generations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/authority_and_responsibility.htm">Authority and Responsibility</a></b><br>As "king in Jerusalem," the Teacher's words carry authority. We are reminded of our own responsibilities in positions of influence and leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_centrality_of_jerusalem.htm">The Centrality of Jerusalem</a></b><br>Jerusalem is not just a physical location but a symbol of God's presence and covenant with His people. Our lives should be centered around God's presence and promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ecclesiastes_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ecclesiastes 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_eccl._6_9-12_contradict_hope_themes.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:9–12 – Do these verses’ pessimistic tone and emphasis on life’s vanity contradict the Bible’s broader themes of hope and purpose?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'a_thousand_years_twice'_literal.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:6 – Is the mention of living “a thousand years twice” literal, and how does it align with known human lifespans? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes'_authorship_credible.htm">If some scholars argue that Ecclesiastes was written well after Solomon’s era, can the book’s claimed authorship be historically trusted?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_ecclesiastes'_main_theme.htm">What is the main theme of Ecclesiastes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">The words.--</span>The Book of Nehemiah begins similarly; so do the prophecies of Jeremiah and Amos, and of Agur and Lemuel (Proverbs 30, 31)<p><span class= "bld">The Preacher.--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">convener </span>(see Introduction). This word (<span class= "ital">Koheleth</span>) occurs in this book, <a href="/context/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm" title="The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.">Ecclesiastes 1:1-2</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm" title="I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.">Ecclesiastes 1:12</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm" title="Behold, this have I found, said the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:">Ecclesiastes 7:27</a>, where, according to our present text, it is joined with a feminine, being elsewhere used with a masculine; and <a href="/context/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm" title="Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity.">Ecclesiastes 12:8-10</a>, having the article in the first of these passages, and there only, being elsewhere used as a proper name.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ecclesiastes/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The words of the Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem</span>; Septuagint, "King of Israel in Jerusalem" (comp. ver. 12). The word rendered "Preacher" is <span class="accented">Koheleth</span>, a feminine noun formed from a verb <span class="accented">kalal</span>, "to call" (see Introduction, § 1), and perhaps better rendered" Convener" or "Debater." It is found nowhere else but in this book, where it occurs three times in this chapter (vers. 1, 2, 12), three times in <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:8, 9, 10</a>, and once in <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-27.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:27</a>. In all but one instance (viz. <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:8</a>) it is used without the article, as a proper name. Jerome, in his commentary, translates it, 'Continuator,' in his version 'Ecclesiastes.' It would seem to denote one who gathered around him a congregation in order to instruct them in Divine lore. The feminine form is explained in various ways. Either it is used abstractedly, as the designation of an office, which it seems not to be; or it is formed as some other words which are found with a feminine termination, though denoting the names of men, indicating, as Gesenius notes (§ 107, 3. 100.), a high degree of activity in the possessor of the particular quality signified by the stem; e.g. Alemeth, Azmaveth (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-36.htm">1 Chronicles 8:36</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/9-42.htm">1 Chronicles 9:42</a>), Pochereth (<a href="/ezra/2-57.htm">Ezra 2:57</a>), Sophereth (<a href="/nehemiah/7-57.htm">Nehemiah 7:57</a>); or, as is most probable, the writer desired to identify Koheleth with Wisdom, though it must be observed that the personality of the author often appears, as in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:16-18</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23</a>, etc.; the <span class="accented">role</span> of Wisdom being for the nonce forgotten. The word "king" in the title is shown by the accentuation to be in apposition to "Koheleth" not to "David;" and there can be no doubt that the description is intended to denote Solomon, though his name is nowhere actually given, as it is in the two other works ascribed to him (<a href="/proverbs/1-1.htm">Proverbs 1:1</a>; <a href="/songs/1-1.htm">Song of Solomon 1:1</a>). Other intimations of the assumption of Solomon's personality are found in <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:12</a>, "I Koheleth was king," etc.; so in describing his consummate wisdom (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:13, 16</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:15</a>; comp. <a href="/1_kings/3-12.htm">1 Kings 3:12</a>; <a href="/1_kings/5-12.htm">1 Kings 5:12</a>), and in his being the author of many proverbs (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:9</a>; comp. <a href="/1_kings/4-32.htm">1 Kings 4:32</a>) - accomplishments which are not noted in the case of any other of David's descendants. Also the picture of luxury and magnificence presented in <a href="/ecclesiastes/2.htm">Ecclesiastes 2</a>. suits no Jewish monarch but Solomon. The origin of the name applied to him may probably be traced to the historical fact mentioned in <a href="/1_kings/8-55.htm">1 Kings 8:55</a>, etc., where Solomon gathers all Israel together to the dedication of the temple, and utters the remarkable prayer which contained blessing and teaching and exhortation. As we have shown in the Introduction (§ 2), the assumption of the name is a mere literary device to give weight and importance to the treatise to which it appertains. The term, "King in Jerusalem," or, as in ver. 12, "King over Israel in Jerusalem," is unique, and occurs nowhere else in Scripture. David is said to have reigned in Jerusalem, when this seat of government is spoken of in contrast with that at Hebron (<a href="/2_samuel/5-5.htm">2 Samuel 5:5</a>), and the same expression is used of Solomon, Rehoboam, and others (<a href="/1_kings/11-42.htm">1 Kings 11:42</a>; <a href="/1_kings/14-21.htm">1 Kings 14:21</a>; <a href="/1_kings/15-2.htm">1 Kings 15:2, 10</a>); and the phrase probably denotes a time when the government had become divided, and Israel had a different capital from Judah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵי֙</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Teacher,</span><br /><span class="heb">קֹהֶ֣לֶת</span> <span class="translit">(qō·he·leṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6953.htm">Strong's 6953: </a> </span><span class="str2">Preacher -- 'a collector (of sentences)', 'a preacher', a son of David</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of David,</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jerusalem:</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bî·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-1.htm">OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher the son (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 31:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 31:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ecclesiastes 1:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ecclesiastes 1:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>