There are many theories about the meaning and function of this name, but the most commonly accepted view is that this name describes an office that relates in some way to assembling people, or as Crenshaw in Harper's proposes, proverbs. Unity of the Book Most scholars believe that more than one author was involved in compiling this book. Although the first-person pronoun punctuates the book, the book ends with a reference to the author in the third person. There are also many contradictions, especially in regard to the ultimate fate of the wicked. Particularly notable are the contradictions throughout the book.
Thesis is followed by antithesis, which seems to relativize all of the teachings.
The precise structure of the book defies description. Some have tried to discern a structure through the use of refrains and others have looked into the polar opposites creating a perfect balance. The fundamental genre of the book is reflection arising from personal observation. In short, enjoy your wife, along with good food and drink, while you are young, for old age and death will soon put an end to this relative good. Profit was the measure of life and Qohelet could discern no profit.