Ecclesiastes facts for kids

Ecclesiastes is a special book found in the Old Testament part of the Bible. It says it was written by a 'Philosopher' who was David's son and a king in Jerusalem. Most people think this means Solomon, a very wise king. The book explores big questions like the meaning of life and how we can live our best lives.

People have different ideas about what Ecclesiastes truly means. Some think it sounds quite sad or "pessimistic". It says things like "all is meaningless" and "there is nothing new under the sun" (Chapter 1). It also says, "I looked again at all the injustice that goes on in this world. The people who were treated unfairly were crying, but no one would help them. No one would help them, because their oppressors had power on their side. I feel sorry for those who are dead; they are better off than those who are still alive. But even better off than them are those who have never been born." (Chapter 4)

However, other people believe the book teaches that even though life can be tough and everyone will die, we should still enjoy the good things God gives us. The book ends by saying, "Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole purpose of everyone" (12:13).

How Ecclesiastes Influenced Culture

Some of the ideas and sayings from Ecclesiastes have become very important in British and American culture. For example, the phrase "there is nothing new under the sun" is often used in the United States.

During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln used a quote from Ecclesiastes in a speech to Congress. He said, "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever...." This means, "One generation of people dies, and another generation is born, but the world will be here forever."

President-Elect Joe Biden also mentioned Ecclesiastes briefly in his winning speech after the 2020 Presidential Election. He said, "To everything there is a season: a time to build, a time to reap, and a time to sow and a time to heal. This is the time to heal in America.”

A famous American writer named Thomas Wolfe once said, "Ecclesiastes is the greatest single piece of writing I have ever known, and the wisdom expressed in it the most lasting and deep."

Famous Verses: A Time for Everything

One of the most famous parts of Ecclesiastes is found in verses 3:1 to 3:8. These verses talk about how there is a right time for everything in life:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted;< A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to be sad, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to hug, and a time to not hug;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."

The folk singer Pete Seeger made a song called Turn, Turn, Turn! that used lines from these verses of Ecclesiastes. The band The Byrds had a very popular international hit with their version of this song in 1965.

Images for kids

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  Ecclesiastes 3 in the Leningrad Codex, an old Bible manuscript.

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  King Solomon in Old Age by Gustave Doré (1866); this picture shows King Solomon, who many believe wrote Ecclesiastes.

See also

In Spanish: Libro del Eclesiastés para niños