The name Ecclesiastes is from the Hebrew name Qohelet, which means “teacher” or “preacher.” Dating the book is difficult. Some scholars point to the use of certain words in the text that suggest a time in the 600s or 500s B.C.E. However, most scholars consider King Solomon to be the author of the book, which dates the book to between 970 and 931 B.C.E.

In the book, the teacher grapples with some tough questions. Why are we here? What’s the point of being here?