Saturday, January 10, 2009

Bible Trivia - 1/10/2009

Question: The title of what book in the Bible means the “preacher”?

Answer: Ecclesiastes.

Comments: Ecclesiastes takes its name from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title (קֹהֶלֶת, Qohelet). Qohelet is the title by which the booker's speaker identifies himself. The Hebrew, קהלת, is a participle related to the root קהל meaning "to gather." Scholars debate whether the description means the "one who gathers" or the "one among the gathering."

The word Qohelet has found several translations into English, including "The Preacher" in deference to Jerome (347-420)'s suggested Latin title concionator and Martin Luther (1483-1546)'s Der Prediger.

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. (Ecclesiastes 1:1, NASB)

Qohelet also introduces himself as "son of David, and king in Jerusalem." This description could only fit Solomon.

Note: This image of Ecclesiastes was created by Phillip Ratner.

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