Ecclesiastes

[ ih-klee-zee-as-teez ]

noun

1. a book of the Bible. : Eccles., Eccl.

Ecclesiastes

/ ɪˌkliːzɪˈæstiːz /

noun

1. functioning as singular a book of the Old Testament, probably written about 250 bc

Ecclesiastes

1. A book in the Old Testament containing the reflections of a philosopher known as “the Preacher.” “Vanity of vanity saith the Preacher, … all is vanity,” where the word “vanity” indicates that striving is in vain, because death comes to all, and “there is no new thing under the sun.” He believes that our character and achievements do not affect our fate. “The race is not to the swift nor to the strong.” He concludes that one should enjoy the good things found in life until death brings oblivion. The argument and tone of this book are very unlike those of the other books of the Bible (see also Bible ). ( See nothing new under the sun , A time to be born and a time to die , and Vanity of vanities; all is vanity .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ecclesiastes¹

From Late Latin, from Greek ekklēsiastḗs “assemblyman, preacher,” equivalent to ekklēsí(a) “assembly” + -astēs noun suffix, variant of -istēs after a vowel; ecclesia, -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of Ecclesiastes¹

via Late Latin, from Greek ekklēsiastēs member of the assembly; see ecclesia

Example Sentences

No new rules are needed, because to cite Ecclesiastes: When it comes to financial crime, as in all things, “there is nothing new under the sun.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Drawing on the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, it suggests that people need to feel that their lives make a difference to the world,” he wrote.

From New York Times

A reading from the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes reminded attendees that there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh” and “a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

From Seattle Times

After a couple of failed attempts to write a formal constitution for Israel, he formed Kohelet — the word is Hebrew for Ecclesiastes, a book of the Bible — more than a decade ago.

From New York Times

From Ecclesiastes, he read that there was a “time to” move on, but from Galatians, he heard the call to keep marching on.

From Washington Post