Description
Scholars often view the apparent scepticism of Ecclesiastes in terms of a reaction against the more confident assertions found in works like Proverbs, and the book does indeed seem to deny the possibility of humans shaping their future or changing their fate through informed action. What appears to concern the work's protagonist, whose monologue occupies most of its length, is not any scepticism about God's activity or consistency, but rather the problems that arise from a human inability to discern divine action or purpose.
This study seeks to understand both the roots and the implications of this empiricism, comparing the monologue with other biblical and ancient literature, and suggesting that, although it has points of contact with other texts, its scepticism is largely distinctive, and unlikely to represent some broader tradition.
By emphasising observation and empiricism as a key influence on human behaviour, this work excludes any consideration of tradition or revelation.
About the Author
Stuart Weeks is Senior Lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew, Durham University, UK. He is the author of Early Israelite Wisdom (1994) and Instructions & Imagery in Proverbs 1-9 (2007). He is writing the ICC volume on Ecclesiastes for T&T Clark.
Book Information
ISBN 9780567547156
Author Dr Stuart Weeks
Format Paperback
Page Count 240
Imprint T.& T.Clark Ltd
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 336g
