Abstract
The book of qohelet: a surprising and challenging voicein the bibleAs historical-critical exegesis has demonstrated that the bible does not provide a readymade and unified answer to each and every actual question, the present study aims at highlighting the particular contribution of the book of Qohelet to the ‘library’ of biblical books. Against the background of the church fathers’ christological interpretation of the book (1), emphasis is put on the need to situate and interpret the book in its original historical context (2), which has been identified — on account of its Late Biblical Hebrew linguistic profile – as the fourth or third century BCE. After some critical remarks on the traditional ascription of the book of Qohelet to king Salomon, its thematic statement that everything is ‘vanity’ (lbh) is presented and analysed (3). Finally, a plea is made for reading the book of Qohelet in the present, post-modern context as it expresses authenticexistential doubt and, within this context, the need to enjoy the earthly life (4).
Highlights
As historical-critical exegesis has demonstrated that the bible does not provide a readymade and unified answer to each and every actual question, the present study aims at highlighting the particular contribution of the book of Qohelet to the ‘library’ of biblical books
Met de canonfähige interpretatie van de kerkvaders als uitgangspunt in de eerste paragraaf (I), zal in de tweede paragraaf het be lang benadrukt worden het boek te situeren en te begrijpen in zijn oorspronkelijke ontstaanscontext (II)
Debel Het boek Prediker: Een verrassende en uitdagende stem in de bijbel doorgronden, toch biedt zijn praktische levenswijsheid een voordeel op de dwaasheid: de wijze beseft immers dat geen mens weet wanneer zijn tijd ge komen is en geniet daarom met wijsheid van het goede dat zich aandient
Summary
As historical-critical exegesis has demonstrated that the bible does not provide a readymade and unified answer to each and every actual question, the present study aims at highlighting the particular contribution of the book of Qohelet to the ‘library’ of biblical books.
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