The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

Ecclesiastes is often referred to as Qoheleth or Kohelet, the second word of the book in Hebrew, which is often translated as “preacher” or “teacher.” The title “Ecclesiastes” comes from the Latin translation of the word. The manuscript pieces shown here come from one of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in cave 4 at Qumran. Known as 4Q109 Qohelet^a, it is the earliest known manuscript of this biblical book (circa 175-150 BC).

What profit is there for a man in all his labor which he labors under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:3).

The word “profit” in Ecclesiastes 1:3 (Heb. yithron) is unique in the Hebrew Bible to the book of Ecclesiastes. It refers to the profit or advantage that comes as a result of work. In the short-term, labor results in harvested food, retrieval or production of materials, or receiving wages. Ecclesiastes emphasizes, however, that none of these last and even if received, labor must continue, and all who labor die with no permanent benefit from the work they have done. This model depicts Egyptian men in boats made of papyrus bundles, using a net to catch fish. The model dates to the 11th or 12th Dynasties.

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and it is all is vanity and striving after wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14).

This threshing scene illustrates “striving after wind.” Wind is not normally visible, but it was used in the threshing process to carry away chaff, which made its movements visible. The thresher would toss the grain and chaff into the air, as seen here. The heavier grain would fall back to the ground, while the breeze would carry the chaff away, thus separating the two. This American Colony photo was taken between 1898 and 1946. Generative AI was used to colorize this photo.

What is lacking cannot be counted (Ecclesiastes 1:15).

This model depicts a group of Egyptians counting a herd of cattle. The workmen drive them single-file past a platform on which a number of scribes are seated, counting as they pass by. The cattle depicted in this model exhibit a wide variety of colors. It is also noteworthy that two of the cattle at the back of this model wear harnesses, likely indicating that they were used as draft animals (oxen). This model was photographed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

I have achieved great wisdom, more than all who ruled Jerusalem before me (Ecclesiastes 1:16).

Solomon’s wisdom became internationally renowned. This painting depicts the visit of the queen of Sheba to Jerusalem to hear the wisdom of Solomon. It was photographed at a special Menorah exhibit held at the Vatican Museums.