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50 Ecclesiastes Bible Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Ecclesiastes Bible? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Ecclesiastes Bible (Religion). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
Related Questions & Answers:   Exodus   
1 Complete the following quote from Ecclesiastes 7:4: "The heart of the wise is in the ___________; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth".
Answer: house of mourning

American author Thomas Wolfe wrote:"...Ecclesiastes is the greatest single piece of writing I have ever known..."

Ecclesiastes 1:1 describes the author as "the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem". Many believe this description could only be Solomon.
    Your options: [ house of strangers ] [ house of mourning ] [ house of hope ] [ house of cards ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
2 What is the main theme of Ecclesiastes as seen for example in verse 1:2?
Answer: Vanity

In verse 1:2 we see the theme: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."

Ecclesiastes is usually considered one of the hardest books of the Bible to interpret. It is usually considered to be very pessimistic.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
3 What increases with knowledge according to Ecclesiastes 1:18 (KJV)?
Answer: sorrow

Ecclesiastes 1:18 "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

If we look back to Genesis when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge they immediately knew sorrow, and they also had gained knowledge of good and evil.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
4 Who is traditionally attributed with writing Ecclesiastes?
Answer: Solomon

The speaker calls himself "Son of David, King in Jerusalem," which, if believed, can only mean Solomon. Some scholars, however, argue that the author is only using Solomon as a persona, and that the work actually belongs to another, anonymous author.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
5 Who wrote the 1905 novel "The House of Mirth"?
Answer: Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton received the French Legion of Honor for charitable work during World War l. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize in 1920 for her book "The Age of Innocence".

Wharton was born in the United States in 1862, but relocated permanently to France in 1907.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
6 Complete this verse in the King James Version. Ecclesiastes 1:4 says, "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the _________ abideth for ever."
Answer: earth

This verse shows that things live and die and that is all part of life. Meanwhile the earth continues to go on. This is another theme found in Ecclesiastes: the continuing of the world despite life and death.
    Your options: [ earth ] [ world ] [ land ] [ universe ]
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
7 What does 2:14 (KJV) say a fool walks in?
Answer: darkness

Ecclesiastes 2:14 "The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all."

The word "fool" appears in the Ecclesiastes in at least twenty different verses.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
8 To what genre of literature does Ecclesiastes belong?
Answer: Wisdom

Other works of Wisdom literature include the Psalms, Job, and Proverbs.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
9 Complete the following quotation from Ecclesiastes 1:5: "The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down __________."
Answer: and hasteth to his place where he arose

In Ecclesiastes 1:2 the author makes clear his view that "all is vanity". Some suggest that rather than the word "vanity" a better translation would be "meaningless". See "The Book of Ecclesiastes" by Tremper Longman lll at page 61.
    Your options: [ and shall not be seen again ] [ and hasteth to his place where he arose ] [ and goes to its rest ] [ and returns tomorrow ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
10 What word completes this verse from Ecclesiastes 2:14 using the King James Version? "The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in ________: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all."
Answer: darkness

Another way to say this is that wise people pay attention, but fools are absentminded.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
11 Verse 3:4 (KJV) says: "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to _________ and a time to ___________."
Answer: mourn dance

Ecclesiastes 3:4 "A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance."

The Byrds had a hit with a song based on this and other verses in Chapter 3. It was called "Turn! Turn! Turn!".
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
12 Who wrote the 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises"?
Answer: Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway considered titling his book "Fiesta: A Novel".

In 1925 Hemingway and a group of acquaintances took a trip to Spain and visited the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona. This trip was instrumental in providing Hemingway with a background for a portion of "The Sun Also Rises".
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
13 Looking at Ecclesiastes 4:8, what is an example of vanity?
Answer: Never being satisfied with what you have

It says in Ecclesiastes 4:8, "There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail."

According to the Bible, people should not be vain.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
14 Complete this quote: "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; ____________." (KJV)
Answer: all is vanity

Ecclesiastes 1:2 states the theme of the book. All is vanity, Solomon concludes after a long life of sampling all the world has to offer. The only thing that remains, therefore, is to fear God and obey his commands. "This," he concludes, "is the whole duty of man."
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
15 Complete the following quotation from Ecclesiastes 6:1: "There is an evil which I have seen under the sun____________."
Answer: and it is common among men

Ecclesiastes is grouped as one of the Wisdom Books of the Old Testament. Ecclesiastes is a translation of the Hebrew word "Koheleth", meaning gatherer, teacher or preacher.
    Your options: [ and it fades in the night ] [ and it is common among men ] [ and it calls my brothers ] [ and it returns each dawn ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
16 Why is it better too be a "wise child" than a "foolish king"?
Answer: The king will not be admonished.

It says in Ecclesiastes 4:13, "Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished."

A child will be taught right from wrong; however, no one would dare tell the king what he is doing is wrong, so his follies would continue.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
17 According to Solomon, how many men are perfect?
Answer: 0

Ecclesiastes 7:20 "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."

For those of you who thought it should be 1 (and that 1 being Jesus) remember it said "According to Solomon" and Solomon being in the Old Testament would not have included Jesus in that count.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
18 What does the Hebrew word translated vanity in the KJV literally mean?
Answer: breath/vapor

"Hebel" is the Hebrew word used. It is repeated over 30 times in this book. The NIV translates the word as "meaningless."
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
19 Who wrote the 1941 detective story "Evil Under the Sun"?
Answer: Agatha Christie

"Evil Under the Sun" was a detective story, featuring Hercule Poirot. It was made into a film in 1982. Poirot appeared in thirty-three novels and fifty-four short stories written by Agatha Christie.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
20 If one keeps the commandment what won't they have to feel according to 8:5?
Answer: evil

Ecclesiastes 8:5 "Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment."

Unfortunately we are all sinners so none of us has kept the commandment perfectly without flaw.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
21 Complete the following quotation from Ecclesiastes 3:3: "A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and ______________."
Answer: a time to build up

Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes begins: "To everything there is a season..." Folksinger Pete Seeger used the poetic language of Chapter 3 for his song "Turn, Turn, Turn!". The song became a popular hit, when recorded and released in 1965 by The Byrds.
    Your options: [ a time to dig out ] [ a time to build up ] [ a time to retreat ] [ a time to give up ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
22 What is better than a precious ointment, according to Ecclesiastes 7:1?
Answer: a good name

It says in Ecclesiastes 7:1, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth."

I believe this verse is not talking about the literal name (John, Mary, etc.) but rather your reputation...that is what one thinks about you when your name is mentioned.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
23 What is better than a dead lion?
Answer: a living dog

Ecclesiastes 9:4 "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

This is a good verse for why people should not commit suicide. If you are alive there is hope, but if you end your life, you end all hope.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
24 Complete this verse: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . A time to mourn, and a time to ____."
Answer: dance

See Ecclesiastes 3:1-4. The Byrds made a popular song out of this passage.
    Your options: [ dance ] [ love ] [ cry ] [ rejoice ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
25 Who wrote the 1989 thriller "A Time To Kill"?
Answer: John Grisham

John Grisham graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law and practiced criminal law until he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives.

"A Time To Kill" has been made into both a movie (1996) and stage play.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
26 Ecclesiastes 8:15 says that man has nothing better to do than what?
Answer: eat, drink and be merry

It says in Ecclesiastes 8:15, "Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun."

Since man can't take anything with him everything he does is in vain so therefore the Bible says let him, eat, drink and be merry.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
27 What shall bite the person who breaks the hedge in verse 10:8 (KJV)?
Answer: serpent

Ecclesiastes 10:8 "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."

A serpent has always been used in the Bible to represent evil. Again, if we recall back to Genesis, the Devil appears as a serpent to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
28 Complete this verse: "He hath made everything beautiful in his ____"
Answer: time

Ecclesiastes 3:11.
    Your options: [ time ] [ world ] [ way ] [ creation ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
29 Complete the following quotation from Ecclesiastes 12:6: "Or ever __________ be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken..."
Answer: the silver cord

The overall message of this book is summed up in Ecclesiastes 12:13 : "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
    Your options: [ the copper kettle ] [ the silver cord ] [ the bronze vase ] [ the ivory statue ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
30 What is a living dog better than, according to Ecclesiastes 9:4?
Answer: a dead lion

It says in Ecclesiastes 9:4, "For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion."

This is a verse that could be used as a reason why people should not commit suicide. In most cases as long as you're still alive there is hope, and even the strongest cannot do anything once he or she is dead.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
31 What is the duty of man according to verse 12:13 (KJV)?
Answer: Fear God and keep His commandments

  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
32 Who wrote the 1904 novel "The Golden Bowl"?
Answer: Henry James

"The Golden Bowl" was Henry James' last complete novel. Symbolically the bowl in the novel is outwardly perfect, but has hidden flaws.

James' other well-known novels/stories include "The Ambassadors", "Daisy Miller", "The Turn of the Screw" and "Portrait of a Lady".
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: Quotes and Literary References
33 Ecclesiastes 10:10 says, "If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct." What does "whet" mean?
Answer: sharpen the blade

"Whet" can also mean to excite or stimulate but in this verse it means to sharpen the blade.
  From Quiz: BBB Bible Series: Ecclesiastes
34 What is the last word of Ecclesiastes in the King James Version?
Answer: evil

Ecclesiastes 12:14 "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Thank you for taking my quiz. The next quiz will be based on Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs).
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes: The Quiz
35 To what does Ecclesiastes say there is no end?
Answer: the making of books

Ecl. 12:12: "Of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh."
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
36 What is "the whole duty of man," according to Ecclesiastes?
Answer: Both of these

This is the "conclusion of the whole matter." (12:13)
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
37 Ecclesiastes is written in:
Answer: 1st and 3rd person

The preacher speaks of himself in both first person (i.e. "I the Preacher was King") and in third person (i.e. "Moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught...").
    Your options: [ 1st and 3rd person ] [ 3rd person ] [ 2nd person ] [ 1st person ]
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
38 The author to whom Ecclesiastes is attributed is also thought to have written Proverbs and what other book?
Answer: Song of Songs

Two books that faced serious opposition before the Hebrew canon was solidified were Song of Songs and Ecclesiastes.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
39 In the 12th chapter of Ecclesiastes, the preacher uses an extended metaphor to describe the decay associated with old age. According to Jewish tradition, what are the "keepers of the house" in this metaphor?
Answer: hands and arms

12:3: "In the day when the keepers of the house [hands and arms] shall tremble, and the strong men [legs] shall bow themselves, and the grinders [teeth] cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows [eyes] be darkened." According to the KJV Parallel Bible Commentary (Ed. Edward E. Hindson), this explanation can be found in the Talmud, B. Shad., 152 A; Midrash; Ibn Exra.
  From Quiz: Ecclesiastes
The rest of the questions and answers can be found in our quizzes here:
Ecclesiastes Bible Quizzes