Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Read <J.Read-2 AT sms.ed.ac.uk>]

Hi,

Quoting Uri Hurwitz <uhurwitz AT yahoo.com>:

>     Dear Bryant,
>
>    As to the content: I do not know any other book in the HB which   
> presents a point of view similar to that found in Qohelet, such as   
> in  1:1-11, or 9:1-6 to cite just two passages of many. Not only are  
>  they different, they contradict the spirit of  other books. I find   
> similarities between such deeply pessimistic, or nihilistic   
> attitude,and some Hellenistic philosophers.

I've heard this view many times. I think the whole book needs to be  
read and taken in its entire context before making such statements.  
The conclusion of the book makes it quite clear with what spirit the  
book was written and what its fundamental message to readers is:

The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear  
the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole  
[obligation] of man. For the [true] God himself will bring every sort  
of work into the judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to  
whether it is good or bad (Qohelet 12:13,14)

James Christian

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