Old Testament · Poetry & Wisdom
Ecclesiastes Bible Quiz
Test your knowledge of Ecclesiastes: “vanity of vanities”, time and seasons, and the meaning of life.
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According to Ecclesiastes, what does much study do to the body?
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Answer: A. Wearies it
Ecclesiastes 12:12 warns: 'Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.'
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According to Ecclesiastes, what should young people do?
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Answer: B. Follow the ways of their heart but know God will judge
Ecclesiastes 11:9 advises young people: 'Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.'
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According to Ecclesiastes 3:1, there is a what for everything?
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Answer: D. A time
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states: 'To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.'
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According to Ecclesiastes, what is better than strength?
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Answer: A. Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 9:16 states: 'So I said, Wisdom is better than strength.' However, it notes that the poor man's wisdom is despised.
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What does Ecclesiastes say about trying to grasp the wind?
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Answer: A. It's meaningless
Throughout Ecclesiastes, the phrase 'chasing after the wind' is used to describe futile human endeavors (Ecclesiastes 1:14, 2:11, 4:4).
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What does Ecclesiastes say about making hasty vows?
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Answer: A. Do not be quick with your mouth
Ecclesiastes 5:2 warns: 'Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.'
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Who is traditionally believed to be the author of Ecclesiastes?
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Answer: A. Solomon
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon, known for his wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:1, 1:12).
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What does Ecclesiastes 11:7 say about light?
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Answer: D. Light is sweet
Ecclesiastes 11:7 declares: 'Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.'
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How does Ecclesiastes describe the advantage of knowledge over ignorance?
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Answer: C. As light has advantage over darkness
Ecclesiastes 2:13 states: 'I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.'
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What does Ecclesiastes say about the advantage that wisdom gives?
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Answer: C. Wisdom preserves the life of its possessor
Ecclesiastes 7:12 concludes: 'Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.'
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How does Ecclesiastes describe the relationship between work and rest?
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Answer: C. Better a handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil
Ecclesiastes 4:6 states: 'Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.'
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According to Ecclesiastes 8:15, what does the Teacher recommend?
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Answer: A. To eat and drink and be glad
Ecclesiastes 8:15 states: 'So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for mortals under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.'
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What does Ecclesiastes say about the relationship between wisdom and money?
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Answer: B. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter
Ecclesiastes 7:12 states: 'Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.'
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How does Ecclesiastes describe the wise person's relationship with their heart?
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Answer: C. A wise person's heart discerns both time and judgment
Ecclesiastes 8:5 states: 'Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.'
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According to Ecclesiastes, what makes the heart of the sons of men fully set to do evil?
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Answer: C. Because the sentence against evil is not executed speedily
Ecclesiastes 8:11 explains: 'When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people's hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.'
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What phrase appears repeatedly in Ecclesiastes to emphasize the transient nature of life?
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Answer: B. 'Under the sun'
Ecclesiastes frequently uses the phrase 'under the sun' to discuss worldly experiences (e.g., Ecclesiastes 1:3).
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What is a unique aspect of Ecclesiastes compared to other wisdom literature in the Bible?
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Answer: B. It openly questions the meaning of life and the efficacy of human pursuits
Ecclesiastes is unique for its candid questioning of life's meaning and the futility of human efforts, contrasting with more optimistic wisdom books (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
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How does Ecclesiastes 7:29 address the theological problem of human nature?
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Answer: D. God made mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes
Ecclesiastes 7:29 provides a crucial theological insight: 'This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes,' addressing the fall and human corruption.
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What does Ecclesiastes teach about divine judgment in relation to temporal injustice?
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Answer: A. God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing
Ecclesiastes 12:14 concludes that 'God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil,' providing ultimate resolution to temporal injustices observed throughout the book.
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What does Ecclesiastes suggest about the legacy one leaves behind?
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Answer: A. It is fleeting and uncertain
Ecclesiastes highlights the uncertain and fleeting nature of human legacy and achievements (Ecclesiastes 2:16).
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Answer key
- A. Wearies it
- B. Follow the ways of their heart but know God will judge
- D. A time
- A. Wisdom
- A. It's meaningless
- A. Do not be quick with your mouth
- A. Solomon
- D. Light is sweet
- C. As light has advantage over darkness
- C. Wisdom preserves the life of its possessor
- C. Better a handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil
- A. To eat and drink and be glad
- B. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter
- C. A wise person's heart discerns both time and judgment
- C. Because the sentence against evil is not executed speedily
- B. 'Under the sun'
- B. It openly questions the meaning of life and the efficacy of human pursuits
- D. God made mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes
- A. God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing
- A. It is fleeting and uncertain
About the book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is the 21st book of the Bible and belongs to the Poetry & Wisdom section of the Old Testament. It has 12 chapters. Ecclesiastes is the Preacher’s search for meaning “under the sun”. It reflects on work, pleasure, time (“a time to be born, and a time to die”) and the call to fear God.
Using this quiz with a group
These questions work well for Sunday school, youth group, small groups and family devotions. Read each question aloud, let everyone answer, then read the explanation together. Use the print button for a worksheet with an answer key at the end.