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The word "Ecclesiastes" is derived from a Greek word meaning "gathering" or "congregation," from which come the words "Ecclesiastical" (relating to the Church) and the Spanish word ''Iglesia'' (church). It means one who speaks to a congregation, i.e. a preacher, and it opens "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." That is, the book is by tradition ascribed to King Solomon.

The word "Ecclesiastes" is derived from a Greek word meaning "gathering" or "congregation," from which come the words "Ecclesiastical" (relating to the Church) and the Spanish word ''Iglesia'' (church). It means one who speaks to a congregation, i.e. a preacher, and it opens "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." That is, the book is by tradition ascribed to King Solomon.

The speaker begins "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." (ecc 1: 2) Here, ''vanity'' means "empty" or "useless" or "in vain." The speaker says that everything that can be accomplished by human effort is empty, fleeting, and repetitious: "Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit."

The speaker begins "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." (Ecc 1: 2) Here, ''vanity'' means "empty" or "useless" or "in vain." The speaker says that everything that can be accomplished by human effort is empty, fleeting, and repetitious: "Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us." (Ecc 1: 10) "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit." (Ecc 1: 14)

He denies that there is an afterlife, or even life in the memory of others: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."

He denies that there is an afterlife, or even life in the memory of others: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.  Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."