51
have caused too great an upheaval to have attempted to thread this structure through the book; we believe, however,
that the diligent student will appreciate it even though it is added here.
The Structure of the Book.
A 1:2-11.The `Theme', propounded.
a 1:2. Vanity of Vanities.
b 1:3. What profit?
B1:12 to 12:7. The`Search' pursued.
a 1:12 to 2:26. Personal experience.
b 3:1 to 6:12. Personal observation.
c 7:1 to 12:7. Contemplation, Reasoning.
A 12:8-14. The `Conclusion' pronounced.
a 8 Vanity of Vanities.
b 13,14 The end of the matter.
The `Search' B: 1:12 to 12:7 above, expanded.
B C c 1:12 to 11:26. WISDOM AND FOLLY.
a 2:13
Excellency of wisdom.
b 2:14
One event to all.
D d 3:1 to 6:12. DIVINE ORDER, HUMAN IMPOTENCE.
e 3:1. A time for every purpose.
f 3:12,13. (1) God hath set (nathan), the age in the heart.
(2) No man can find out ... beginning to end.
(3) Eat and drink and enjoy.
E
g 4:7. I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
h 6:11,12. Who knoweth ... Who can tell a man?
D d 7:1 to 9:1. DIVINE ORDER, HUMAN IMPOTENCE.
e 8:6. To every purpose there is a time.
f 7:13,14; 8:15-17. (1) God hath set (asah) one against the other.
(2) To the end that man should find nothing after him ... cannot find out the work
done under the sun.
(3) Eat, drink and to be merry.
E
h 8:7.
He knoweth not ... who can tell him?
g 9:11. I returned and saw under the sun - time and chance.
C c 9:2 to 12:7. WISDOM AND FOLLY.
b 9:2,3.
One event to all.
a 9:16-18. Wisdom is better.