Introduction
Themes
Structure
Genres
Tensions and contradictions
Origin and historical context
History of influence and reception
Language
Text
Commentary
1:1 Title
1:2 Motto
1:3-4:12 The king and the wise man
1:3-11 Prelude: Is there any gain with regard to eternity?
1:12-2:26 Reflections of King Qoheleth: The devaluation of happiness not at one's disposal
3:1-9 Interlude: Is there any gain with regard to time?
3:10-4:12 Reflections of the wise man Qoheleth: Happiness as the highest good in not at our disposal
4:13-5:8 [5:9] The king and the deity
4:13-16 Critique of expecting too much from a king
4:17-5:6 [5:1-7] Exhortation to the proper attitude before the deity
5:7-8 [8-9] Critique of expecting too much from a king
5:9[10]-6:9 Poverty and wealth
5:9-11[10-12] Proverbs
5:12-16[13-17] Negative cases
5:17-19[18-20] Positive cases
6:1-6 Negative cases
6:7-9 Proverbs
6:10-8:17 Critical discussion of conventional wisdom
6:10-12 Human limitations
7:1-14 Critique of wise advice
7:15-22 Limits of righteousness and wisdom
7:23-29 Limits of wisdom
8:1-9 Knowledge and power
8:10-15 The righteous and the wicked
8:16-17 Limits of wisdom
9:1-12:7 Life in view of chance and transitoriness
9:1-12 Exhortation to pleasure and vigorous action in view of death and chance
9:13-10:20 Strengths and weaknesses of wisdom
11:1-12:7 Advice for life in view of the uncertainty of the future and the certainty of death
12:8 Motto
12:9-14 Epilogue.