The term *qoheleth* (H6953) in Ecclesiastes carries a significant role, reflecting the identity and purpose of the book's speaker. *Qoheleth* is a title that embodies the sense of gathering, collecting, or assembling, and in daily usage, it fits the professions of a preacher or teacher. Most translations, including the New King James, appropriately refer to *qoheleth* as the preacher, portraying the speaker as a professor of religion delivering a lecture to students. This role involves not only calling an assembly but also engaging in internal debate, meditating on the pros and cons of various subjects. In Ecclesiastes, *qoheleth* shares these internal deliberations, processing them to provide insights that guide the listener through life's complexities. The editorial addition to the book highlights *qoheleth* as wise, noting that he arranged many proverbs in order, indicating a structured train of thought from beginning to end. This ordered arrangement underscores that Ecclesiastes is not a haphazard collection of ideas but a carefully crafted lecture with a central theme and secondary points, requiring thoughtful meditation and study to uncover its deeper meanings. The tone and content suggest that *qoheleth* speaks from a perspective shaped by extensive life experience, likely toward the end of his life, offering reflections that urge careful consideration of life's purpose and choices.

Solomon, referred to as Qoheleth, the preacher or pastor, serves as the shepherd of Israel in the book of Ecclesiastes, guiding his people with wisdom. As king, he felt a deep responsibility to lead and teach his subjects, aiming to impart knowledge for living in peace and righteousness. God granted him profound understanding, enabling him to think deeply and reach sound conclusions. He carefully gathered wisdom from various sources, possibly including Israel, Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, compiling thousands of proverbs. Qoheleth sought to write in an artistic and acceptable style, crafting words of delight that would be memorable and useful to his readers or hearers. He invested his all into this work, striving to create a practical, wonderful, and admirable book that would change lives. Qoheleth's words, inspired by the one Shepherd, are likened to goads that prod readers to change course and act in wisdom, and to well-driven nails that anchor godly character and righteous behavior when deeply embedded in the mind. He acknowledges that learning wisdom is often painful, both in acquisition and application, as it forces one out of comfort zones through trials and suffering. He warns against the futility of exhaustive study and the flood of contradictory opinions, urging discernment in what to read and research, as much literature is a waste of time compared to the true value of God's inspired Word. In his conclusion, Qoheleth emphasizes that the reality of God and His instruction underpins all he has written, despite his apparent frustration with life under the sun. As a believer who had conversed with God, he advises both the uncalled and those living above the sun that the foundation for a good life in this futile world is to fear God and keep His commandments. He reminds all that God remains the Judge, holding everyone accountable, and that this knowledge should motivate a life of reverence and obedience, transforming a seemingly meaningless existence into one of purpose and future hope.

The book of Ecclesiastes, through the voice of Qoheleth, identified as Solomon, presents a profound and often challenging perspective on life. Qoheleth, meaning the preacher or convener, offers a narrative that delves deeply into the human experience, requiring meditative thought to grasp its central message. God gifted Solomon with exceptional intellect, insight, political power, and wealth, enabling him to record his life experiences for the benefit of others. His writings form an overview of real-life situations that impact every thinking person across history, emphasizing the importance of discerning paths and making right choices within the framework of time, a divine gift and creation. Foundational to Ecclesiastes is the theme of evaluating how to use time effectively, making choices, and exercising the will to align with God's purpose. Qoheleth's appeal is to use faith and not be lured into thinking that God's words are insignificant or that life lacks purpose. He stresses that everything in life matters to some degree, urging readers to avoid the vanities of the world by keeping God central in decision-making. Qoheleth introduces key concepts such as "vanity," depicted as a breath or vapor, illustrating life's brevity and fleeting nature. This vivid metaphor, akin to a puff of smoke or the scum left by a bursting soap bubble, underscores the transient quality of human existence compared to God's eternal nature. Through this, Qoheleth captures attention, highlighting life's absurdity and pain without divine guidance, and implicitly warns against wasting time. The narrative of Ecclesiastes, as conveyed by Qoheleth, often appears negative or dreary to the unconverted, who may see it as portraying life's meaninglessness. However, the true message is that life lacks meaning only without God and His guidance. Qoheleth reveals the carnally attractive pitfalls present in every culture, showing the emptiness of a world devoid of divine presence. His experiences, backed by unparalleled wisdom and resources, serve as a cautionary tale, urging others not to repeat his mistakes but to learn from his insights. In his conclusion, Qoheleth succinctly states that fearing God and keeping His commandments is the essence of life's purpose. This reverence for God, which involves paying special attention to His words, is presented as the foundation of wisdom and the key to making right choices. Through Solomon's voice, Ecclesiastes teaches how to live for God, preparing for the inevitable reality of death, and emphasizes that time is moving linearly toward a definite end as revealed by God, encouraging a life dedicated to glorifying Him.