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Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia

Approaches to the Contradictions in Kohelet
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  3. Vol. 14 No. 4 (2021): Księga Koheleta / The Book of Kohelet /
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Approaches to the Contradictions in Kohelet

Authors

  • Eli Kohn Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Social Sciences; Orot Israel College; Efrata College https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6576-6961

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/BPTh.2021.019

Keywords

the Book of Kohelet, the contradictions, the Talmud, the Rabbinical sources, the meaning of life

Abstract

The contradictions in the Book of Kohelet have concerned commentators through the ages. This essay offers several approaches to understanding the contradictions in the Book of Kohelet. After a discussion of the weaknesses of each of these approaches I offer a suggestion that shows that the Book has a unified structure and inherent logic. I propose that a philological and literary analysis of the Book, demonstrated through traditional Jewish sources, supports this view. [This article makes use of the author's unpublished Master dissertation, Kohelet a Living Dialogue]

References

Barton, J. 1984. Reading the Old Testament. London: Darton Longman and Todd.

Cohen, A. 1961. The Five Megilloth. (Soncino Books of the Bible). London: Soncino Press.

Crenshaw, J.L. 1987. Ecclesiastes "Ecclesiastes Book of" Anchor Bible Dictionary pp. 271–280. Philadelphia.

Crenshaw, J.L. 1987. Ecclesiastes – A Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster Press.

Dell, K.G. 1994. "Ecclesiastes As Wisdom. Consulting Interpreters." Vetus Testamentum XLIV: 301–329.

Fox, M.V. 1989. Qohelet and his Contradictions. Sheffield: Almond Press.

Ginsberg, H.L. 1955. "The Structure and Contents of the Book of Kohelet." Vetus Testamentum Sup. 3: l38–49.

Ginsberg, H.L. 1961. Kohelet (In Hebrew). Jerusalem.

Gordis, R. 1968. Kohelet The Man and His World. New York: Shocken Press.

Hengel, M. 1974. Judaism and Hellenism. Vol 1: 115–131. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.

Loader, J.A. 1979. Polar Structures in the the Book of Qohelet. Berlin: De Gruyter.

Ogden, G.S. 1987. Kohelet. Sheffield: JSOT Press.

The Jewish Publication Society Of America. The Holy Scriptures, Philadelphia, 1955.

Whitley, C.F. 1979. Kohelet His Language and Thought. Berlin: De Gruyter.

Whybray, R.N. 1989. Ecclesiastes. (The New Century Bible Commentary). London: JSOT Press.

Zer-Kavod, M. 1973. Kohelet (In Hebrew). Jerusalem: Mossad Harav Kook.

Zimmerman, F. 1973. The Inner world of Kohelet. New York: Ktav.

Halevi, Rabbi Yehuda. 1972. The Kuzari. Tel Aviv: Dvir Publishers.

Hertz. 1963. The Chumash. London: Soncino Press.

Ibn Ezra. 1959. Mikra 'ot Gedolot. Tel Aviv: Pardes Publishers.

Meiri. 1968. Commentary on the Book of Mishle. O'tzar Haposkim. Jerusalem.

Metzudat David. 1959. Commentary on Kohelet. Mikra 'ot Gedolot. Tel Aviv: Pardes Publishers.

Midrash Rabah, Kohelet. 1961. Lewin-Epstein, Jerusalem.

Rashi. 1959. Commentary on Kohelet. Mikra 'ot Gedolot. Tel Aviv: Pardes Publishers.

Talmud Eruvin. 1963. Jerusalem: Hatalmud Hameoa'r.

Talmud Shabbat. 1063. Jerusalem: Hata.

Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia

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Published

2021-12-29

How to Cite

1.
KOHN, Eli. Approaches to the Contradictions in Kohelet. Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia. Online. 29 December 2021. Vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 369-381. [Accessed 5 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/BPTh.2021.019.
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Vol. 14 No. 4 (2021): Księga Koheleta / The Book of Kohelet

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2021 Eli Kohn

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