Biblical scholars have differing interpretations regarding the ultimate purpose of Ecclesiastes. However, one theme that has not been fully explored is”grasping.” In this paper, I propose the theme of grasping and how it ultimately connects to the New Testament and Christ. The search for the meaning of life is a timeless pursuit. The book of Ecclesiastes presents a model to find purpose and fulfillment. The author, Qohelet, takes us through various cycles of futility, demonstrating his attempts to grasp meaning (ch 1, 12). He reaches for a variety of meanings such as reward (ch 2), time (ch 3, 6), power (ch 4, 5), wisdom (ch 7, 8, 10), immortality (ch 9), and control (ch 11) in his quest for fulfillment. We can relate to this struggle as we face our scarcity and the need to find meaning in our lives.
Like Qohelet, we must ask ourselves if we grasp wisdom wherever we can find it or if there is enough to be shared. This question is familiar and can be traced back to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. When Eve saw the fruit in the Garden of Eden, she thought it looked desirable and wanted its promised knowledge, which she took for herself. Similarly, Qohelet saw something desirable in wisdom, which he took for himself. However, once wisdom was grasped, its scarcity was realized. There would not be enough wisdom to satisfy in this life because death comes for everyone. The serpent’s deception from the Garden of Eden is still prevalent, leading many to take what they believe will bring them wisdom for life. But where does hope for humanity lie? It lies in Christ, who–unlike Qohelet (or Eve)–did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition and vanity, Christ humbled himself. He gave his own life without fear of scarcity (Phil 2:4). Ecclesiastes can give modern readers a category for greater hope; one fulfilled in Christ–that we may know him and his sufferings, experience the power of his resurrection, and attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil 3:10-11).