ECCLESIASTES GUIDE QUESTIONS

Question 1

According to the author, what is the chief characteristic of the world as asserted in verses 2-11? What is the author’s evaluation of this circumstance
relative to human existence (vs. 13)?

Answer 1

The world is cyclical and ultimately meaningless, as everything repeats and nothing is truly new. The author sees human existence as burdensome and futile.

Question 2

See 1:17. Does wisdom and learning aid the human in this circumstance? Why
or why not? Compare this with 2:12-17.

Answer 2

Wisdom and learning do not improve human fate, as they only increase sorrow and frustration (1:18). In 2:12-17, wisdom is better than folly, but both lead to death, making it meaningless.

Question 3

Why does the author try out all kinds of pleasure? What is he testing, or what
is he looking for? What is the result of his experiment?

Answer 3

The author seeks meaning through pleasure, but finds it unsatisfying. His experiment proves that pleasure is fleeting and does not bring true fulfillment.

Question 4

Concerning 2:12-18, what is the advantage of wisdom? How is this advantage
called into question? Compare with 1:16-18. How does the author evaluate
these circumstances?

Answer 4

Wisdom offers temporary advantages, but in the end, both the wise and foolish share the same fate—death—making wisdom seem pointless.

Question 5

See 2:18-26. What are the benefits of toil and labor? What calls these things
into question?

Answer 5

Labor provides benefits but is futile because the fruits of one’s work are left to others who may not appreciate them.

Question 6

What recourse does the author propose for the emptiness of pleasure, work,
and wisdom (2:24)?

Answer 6

The best response to life’s emptiness is to enjoy simple pleasures like eating, drinking, and working.

Question 7

What do you make of the ruminations about “God” in 2:25-26? Who is “God”?
Is “God” responsible for the sorry state of things?

Answer 7

God gives wisdom, joy, and wealth to some but denies it to others, raising questions about divine justice.

Question 8

How does 3:1-9 compare with 1:4-11? What does this theme indicate about the
world and human existence?

Answer 8

Like 1:4-11, 3:1-9 emphasizes life’s cyclical nature, suggesting humans have no real control over time.

Question 9

See 3:11. What has God given to the human? What has God withheld? What
does the author “know” about God? (cf., 7:24; 8:17)

Answer 9

God has given humans a sense of eternity but withheld the ability to understand His plans.

Question 10

See 3:13. What does the author advise as a response to the human condition?
What is God’s relation to this advice?

Answer 10

The author advises accepting life’s simple pleasures as God’s gift, since humans cannot change fate.

Question 11

See 3:16-21. What does the author mean by “I said to myself, ‘God will judge the
just man and the wicked equally; every activity and every purpose has its
proper time.’…’In dealing with men it is God’s purpose to test them and to see
what they truly are….’”

Answer 11

The author believes justice exists, but humans cannot fully understand God’s purpose. There is little difference between humans and animals in the face of death.

Question 12

What advantage does the human have over the beast? How do the arguments
for and against retributive justice and an afterlife figure in here? What does
this have to do with God? Is God responsible for the way tings are? Is God
“moral” (i.e., trustworthy, just, etc.)? (cf., 3:16; 8:11-14, 17)

Answer 12

The author believes justice exists, but humans cannot fully understand God’s purpose. There is little difference between humans and animals in the face of death.

Question 13

See 3:22b. If God is the only one who can bring fulfillment and completion to
the human life, why doesn’t God do it? Compare 3:11, 22; 6:12; 7:24; 8:17; 9:1-
2.

Answer 13

If only God can fulfill life, then human limitations suggest He withholds this fulfillment, leaving people in ignorance.

Question 14

What is the author’s resolution or advice?

Answer 14

The best approach is to enjoy life while accepting its mysteries.

Question 15

See 4:1-3. Is the world a “pleasant” place to be? Why or why not? How is work
even called into question? In what way are the dead and unborn better off than
the living?

Answer 15

The world is harsh, full of oppression and suffering. The dead and unborn are better off than those alive, as they do not endure this pain.

Question 16

See 4:7-12. The author often depicts human existence in the bleakest of terms.
What is the place of companionship in this scheme? Is companionship a
solution to the problems of human existence?

Answer 16

Companionship provides comfort in life’s struggles, but does not solve life’s fundamental problems.

Question 17

See 5:1-7. What is the status of these remarks about God, worship, and human
speaking? Who or what is “God” in this text? What does the imperative “You
must fear God” mean here? (cf., 12:13-14)

Answer 17

Worship and words should be measured, as God is beyond human understanding. “Fearing God” means acknowledging this gap.

Question 18

What does 5:8-20 contribute to the author’s argument concerning the meaning
and purpose of life? Why doesn’t work and wealth solve the problem?

Answer 18

Wealth and work do not guarantee fulfillment because humans are never satisfied and lose their gains after death.

Question 19

What is specifically identified as a “gift” of God? Who receives this gift? Why?
(cf., 2:24ff. 3:13)

Answer 19

Enjoying work and material blessings is a rare “gift” from God, given only to some.

Question 20

The author suggests that it is better to be born dead (never be born at all), than
to live a long life, acquire many possessions, and remain unable to enjoy these
very possessions. But the ability to enjoy such things, we have seen, is a gift
of God (cf., 2:24f; 3:13; 5:19). How does this observation pertain to the author’s
general claims about human existence, and the status and character of God?
Compare: 2:24f.; 3:13; 5:18-20.

Answer 20

Even wealth and longevity are meaningless if one cannot enjoy them. This highlights life’s unfairness and God’s unpredictable nature.

Question 21

How does 6:7-12 reveal the author’s recognition of the theoretical limitations of
his own advice? Note Holstein’s distinction between the theoretical and
practical dimensions of the text.

Answer 21

The author acknowledges the limits of his own advice—humans may strive for meaning, but true understanding is beyond reach.

Question 22

What does 6:12 reveal about the author’s view on truth, certainty, meaning?

Answer 22

The author sees truth, certainty, and meaning as elusive and unknowable.

Question 23

What are the advantages of wisdom? What is the basic limitation of wisdom

Answer 23

Wisdom has practical benefits but cannot uncover ultimate truths (7:24).

Question 24

What is the meaning of 7:13? What metaphor is at work here?

Answer 24

7:13 suggests God’s will is unchangeable, like a crooked path that cannot be straightened.

Question 25

7:14 claims that God is responsible both for good fortune and ill. It is further claimed that the human cannot understand this (7:15, 24). Once again: Is God "moral"? If God were "good," why did God create a world and beings who haven't a clue about the ultimate nature of things? And compound the problem by giving these same beings the ability to ask the question and a desire for the answer (cf., 3:11; 8:17)?

Answer 25

God creates both fortune and misfortune, but does not explain why, leaving humans with questions they cannot answer.

Question 26

Chapter 8 continues the theme concerning the theoretical and practical implications of wisdom. How does 8:14 contribute to the discussion about the relationship between wisdom and folly?

Answer 26

8:14 shows that wisdom does not always lead to justice, as the righteous suffer and the wicked prosper.

Question 27

Once again, what does 8:17 imply about the "moral" character of God, the one who has "given" humans an existence the justice of which our author cannot fathom? (cf., 3:16-21; 7:24)

Answer 27

8:17 implies that God's justice is beyond human comprehension, making Him seem indifferent or amoral.

Question 28

See 9:1-6. According to the author, does God control the world with love or hatred? What evidence is brought to bear on this question in order to answer it?

Answer 28

The author cannot determine if God rules with love or hatred, as both the righteous and wicked share the same fate—death.

Question 28

Does the author establish the meaning of the word "God" in 9:11-12? Does this accord with the opening theme in 1:2-11 and 3:1-9. Compare: 2:24; 3:11, 14-22; 6:1-4, 11-12; 8:17; 9:1-3.

Answer 28

The meaning of "God" remains undefined, reinforcing life's unpredictability and lack of clear justice.

Question 29

What ambiguity of life is shown up in 11:8-9?

Answer 29

Life is uncertain, and while youth should enjoy it, old age and death come inevitably.

Question 30

What is described in 12:1-7? How does this description fit with the overarching theme of the text

Answer 30

12:1-7 poetically describes aging and death, reinforcing the theme of life's fleeting nature.

Question 31

What final three points are made in verses 11, 12, and 13? How would you describe this ending? What is its theme? How does it relate to the rest of the book?

Answer 31

The final verses emphasize fearing God, keeping His commandments, and accepting that all deeds will be judged. This conclusion attempts to give structure to an otherwise uncertain life.