1:1 · Title: The book begins with a title that attributes these “sayings” to “Qoheleth.” Deuteronomy 1:1; Nehemiah 1:1; Proverbs 30:1; 31:1; Jeremiah 1:1; and Amos 1:1 introduce their books similarly as containing the words of a specific individual, without necessarily claiming thereby that this person wrote or edited the present canonical book. Although often left untranslated as the proper name Qoheleth, this word is more likely a professional title, literally “the Assembler” of the people. The same Hebrew verb is used in 1 Kings 8:1–2 when Solomon assembles (Hebrew qahal) the Israelite leaders prior to the temple dedication celebration, in which the whole assembly of Israel participates. Instruction is then the assumed purpose for which the author assembles the people. Alternatively, t…