When was Ecclesiastes written?

The book of Ecclesiastes is known for its honest assessment of life. It begins by reflecting on the meaninglessness people feel in life. Yet it ends with a call to fear God and keep His commandments: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Solomon, a son of David and the third king of Israel, is the author of the book (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 12). He wrote it toward the end of his reign, around 935 to 931 BC.

Although Ecclesiastes does not explicitly name Solomon as its author, the book attributes its teachings to “the words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). This description aligns with Solomon, traditionally considered the book’s author, and suggests a timeframe for its writing. According to traditional dating, Solomon was born around 990 BC and reigned until his death in 931 BC. He would have composed Ecclesiastes toward the end of this period.

Ecclesiastes itself provides internal clues that support this timeframe. For example, Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’” This indicates that Solomon likely wrote the book toward the end of his reign in the 930s BC.

Solomon’s reflections on wealth further reinforce the idea that he wrote Ecclesiastes shortly before his death. He writes, “I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart” (Ecclesiastes 2:8). This description closely aligns with Solomon’s wealth as depicted elsewhere in Scripture. It reports that God granted him immense riches, including gold (1 Kings 3:13), and describes him as “greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth” (1 Kings 10:23).

Beyond wealth, other themes in Ecclesiastes reflect Solomon’s story. These include his pursuit of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:16; cf. 1 Kings 3:9) and reflections on extensive building projects, where he describes constructing houses and vineyards—paralleling his work on the temple and the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon (Ecclesiastes 2:4–6; cf. 1 Kings 6—7). The author of Ecclesiastes also critiques luxury and expresses dissatisfaction with his many wives and concubines (Ecclesiastes 2:1–2; 7:26; cf. 1 Kings 11:1–8). These themes strongly support the view that Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes in his later years.

The 900s BC marked a turning point for Israel, beginning with Solomon’s reign of abundance and ending with the nation’s impending division. Ecclesiastes reflects King Solomon’s disillusionment with life’s fleeting pleasures and internal emptiness without God. Taken together, these thematic and historical elements indicate that Ecclesiastes was written near the end of Solomon’s reign, as he reflected on the nature of life and the vanity of human pursuits.