Ecclesiastes 1:1 kjv

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 nkjv

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 niv

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Ecclesiastes 1:1 esv

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 nlt

These are the words of the Teacher, King David's son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 1 verses

Ecclesiastes 1 1 Meaning

Ecclesiastes 1:1 serves as the declarative opening of the book, introducing the authoritative voice behind the wisdom and observations that follow. It establishes the speaker as "the Preacher," an individual associated with the wisdom and lineage of "the son of David," who was "king in Jerusalem." This immediate attribution grounds the text in a historical and royal context, positioning the upcoming discourse as the profound reflections of a figure uniquely qualified by wisdom, power, and experience to assess the complexities of life.

Ecclesiastes 1 1 Context

Ecclesiastes chapter 1 opens with this direct authorial (or pseudo-authorial) statement, setting the stage for the deep philosophical exploration that defines the entire book. The verse functions as a traditional ancient Near Eastern title or superscription, similar to other biblical books of prophecy or wisdom (e.g., Proverbs, Jeremiah). It immediately seeks to establish the credibility and authority of the "Preacher" by connecting him to a lineage celebrated for its wisdom and regal power. While the immediate chapter plunges into themes of the cyclical nature of existence and the "vanity" of life's pursuits "under the sun," verse 1 provides the foundation for whose perspective these observations emanate from – a figure of ultimate worldly power, wisdom, and experience, thus giving weight to his later conclusions about the meaninglessness of pursuits apart from God.

Ecclesiastes 1 1 Word analysis

• The words: The Hebrew word diḇrê (דִּבְרֵי), from davar, typically means "words," "speeches," "matters," or "things." Here, it signifies the authoritative discourse, a collection of insights and pronouncements rather than just simple words. It introduces the literary work itself, much like "The sayings of..." It immediately points to an articulated body of thought.

• of the Preacher: The Hebrew haqqōheleṯ (הַקֹּהֶלֶת) is pivotal. It is derived from the root qahal, meaning "to assemble" or "to gather." Thus, Koheleth literally means "the one who assembles" or "the convener," which can imply gathering people for instruction (a preacher or teacher) or gathering wisdom (an assembler of sayings). The word notably has a feminine grammatical ending, yet it consistently refers to a male speaker. This is often interpreted as either a technical title for the office (like "scribe" in some ancient languages), or possibly an archaic form, or even to signify the persona's role in wisdom tradition, transcending typical gender association. It establishes an official capacity for the speaker.

• the son: Hebrew ben (בֶּן) denotes a direct descendant. In ancient Hebrew genealogy, "son of" often meant a literal child but could also denote a descendant further down the line, a follower, or one belonging to a certain school or tradition (e.g., "sons of the prophets"). In this context, given the following words, it strongly implies direct lineage.

• of David: King David (דָּוִד), the progenitor of Judah's royal line, renowned for his anointing by God, kingship, and poetic/musical talents. Association with David elevates the speaker's status significantly. David's reign marked a golden age for Israel, linking the speaker to a period of great divine favor and wisdom.

• king: Hebrew meleḵ (מֶלֶךְ) unequivocally refers to a sovereign ruler. This status is crucial; it means the speaker had access to ultimate power, wealth, and opportunities to pursue all forms of pleasure and wisdom, providing unique grounds for his experiential conclusions in the book. It grants a profound authority to the reflections that follow.

• in Jerusalem: Hebrew bîrûšālaim (בִּירוּשָׁלָם). Jerusalem was the capital city of Judah, the spiritual and political center established by David. Being "king in Jerusalem" signifies not merely being a king, but specifically being the king of the chosen people, sitting on the throne of David in the sacred city. This emphasizes a connection to Israel's history, temple, and covenant with God.

• The words of the Preacher: This phrase signals an authoritative wisdom utterance or compilation. The identity of the Preacher (Koheleth) is intentionally introduced with gravitas, setting the tone for the profound philosophical insights that follow. The title "Preacher" itself suggests someone speaking with an official, instructional, or advisory role to a congregation or assembly.

• the son of David, king in Jerusalem: This composite phrase very strongly identifies the Preacher with King Solomon, son of David, who reigned as king in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 1-11). While some scholars debate whether it is literally Solomon or a later author writing as Solomon (a literary device called "pseudonymity" or "persona writing"), the text intentionally leverages Solomon's renowned wisdom, immense wealth, and extensive experience (1 Kgs 3:12; 4:29-34) to provide unparalleled credibility to the book's inquiries into life's meaning and purpose. No other historical "son of David" fits this description of king of united Israel with universal renown for wisdom and riches. This attribution aims to underscore the unique experiential authority of the speaker's philosophical journey.

Ecclesiastes 1 1 Bonus section

The deliberate choice of the title "Koheleth" (Preacher/Assembler) instead of explicitly naming "Solomon" in verse 1 allows for a broader application of the wisdom shared. While strongly identified with Solomon through lineage and title, the unique name invites readers to consider the role of the one who gathers and imparts wisdom, rather than just the historical figure. This establishes a "wisdom persona" who embodies the vast experience needed for the observations made throughout the book. Furthermore, this initial verse, devoid of any mention of God or divine revelation, sets the characteristic "under the sun" perspective of the Preacher's early exploration, focusing on human experience and empirical observation before concluding with a divine-centric perspective in the book's finale.

Ecclesiastes 1 1 Commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:1 acts as the compelling overture to one of the Bible's most introspective and challenging books. By identifying the speaker as "the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem," it immediately endows the coming discourse with a distinct and unparalleled authority. This figure is universally understood to embody, or directly refer to, King Solomon. He represents the epitome of human wisdom, wealth, power, and experience within the Old Testament narrative. Therefore, his conclusions regarding the vanity and ultimate emptiness of all earthly pursuits are particularly potent. The verse serves to establish that if anyone had the resources, intellect, and opportunity to find satisfaction and meaning under the sun, it would be this king. Thus, his declaration of "vanity of vanities" in the following verse is not merely the cynicism of a jaded individual, but the considered judgment of one who explored every avenue of worldly pursuit to its exhaustive end. The brevity and declarative nature of the verse demand attention, marking the beginning of a profound inquiry into the purpose of life, presented through the lens of a person uniquely positioned to conduct such an inquiry.