Making Sense of Ecclesiastes

Among all the books that make up the Bible, the Book of Ecclesiastes is unique literature. It is part of the wisdom literature of the Bible. But it is different. Sometimes when people read it they can become sad and feel a sense of loss. The reason may lie in how the word in Hebrew transliterated as havel is translated. The English translations vary. Some render it as "vanity," others as "meaningless" or "futile" and some as "purposeless" A more literal translation would be merest breath (Robert Alter) carrying the idea of a vapor, wind, something real but illusive. The author of Ecclesiastes who says he is a Teacher or Preacher relates how people such as himself try in vain to obtain lasting fulfillment in various things or activities to excess and to the exclusion of God, who alone can give true meaning to life.