The poetic Inclusio of Qoheleth in relation to 1,2 and 12,8

Abstract

The paper attempts to examine 1,2 and 12,8 in terms of possible literary sources, literary nature and literary purposes. Moreover, it attempts to ascertain what may be the possible literary nature and purposes of the creation poems of 1, 4–11 and 11, 1–12,7 in the overall literary structure of Qoheleth. On the basis of the intricate micro and macro literary structures of Qoheleth, this paper concludes that 1,2 and 12,8 are likely to be original to the book and constitute a thesis/validation formula — which the two creation poems of 1, 4–11 and 11,1–12,7 (along with 1,2 and 12,8) — form an inclusio to prove the thesis of Qoheleth that hakol hevel.