The End of the Matter

Understanding the Epilogue of Ecclesiastes

Miles Custis

Lexham Press, 2012

The End of the Matter: Understanding the Epilogue of Ecclesiastes

Copyright 2012 Miles Custis. All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America.

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English Bible quotations for this commentary are the author’s own translation.

Preface

The epilogue of Ecclesiastes (12:9–14) is typically viewed by scholars as a later addition written by the hand of one or more editor(s). Because of this it has been largely ignored by those who study Ecclesiastes. In this book, I seek to understand the epilogue and show its relation to the main body of Ecclesiastes. In examining the relationship between the epilogue and body of Ecclesiastes I look at questions of authorship (does the epilogue reflect a different author or authors than the rest of the book?) as well as content (is the viewpoint of the epilogue different or contradictory to that of the rest of the book?).

In answering these questions, I attempt to show that the epilogue and the body of Ecclesiastes both reflect the work of one author and that this author presents two different voices. One voice is the voice of Qohelet, a fictional persona, who speaks throughout the bulk of the book (1:3–12:7). The other is the voice of the epilogist or frame-narrator who speaks in the narrative frame of the book (1:1–2; 12:8–14).

Based on this analysis I examine the purpose of the epilogue. I argue that it is used in several ways. First, it is used to present Qohelet as an exceptional sage, comparable with Solomon, thus giving creditability and authority to his message. Second, it is used to critique the wisdom tradition by showing the limits of wisdom. Third, it presents the book’s conclusions and shows the proper response to human limitation, which is a response of piety and obedience. This conclusion in no way contradicts the words of Qohelet, but is, in fact, important throughout Ecclesiastes.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Hebel and Value in Qohelet

1.1 The Concept of הבל (hebel) in Qohelet

1.1.1 הבל Elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible

1.1.2 הבל in Ecclesiastes

1.1.3 Phrases Parallel to הבל in Ecclesiastes

1.2 What Is הבל in Qohelet?

1.2.1 Pleasure

1.2.2 Wisdom

1.2.3 Labor

1.2.4 Injustice

1.3 What Does Qohelet Value?

1.3.1 Joy

1.3.2 Wisdom

1.3.3 The Fear of God

1.4 The Fear of God in the Hebrew Bible

1.5 The Fear of God in Qohelet

1.5.1 3:1–15

1.5.2 4:17–5:6

1.5.3 7:15–24

1.5.4 8:10–15

1.6 Conclusion

Chapter 2: Contradictions in Ecclesiastes

2.1 Contradictions in Qohelet

2.1.1 Changing Perspectives

2.1.2 Quotations of Traditional Wisdom

2.1.3 Later Additions

2.2 Criteria for Multiple Authorship

2.2.1 Changes in Literary ...