This thesis is a close reading of Ecclesiastes 1.1-11 in the BHS edition of the MT of Qohelet. Its main contention is that Ecclesiastes 1.3-11 is an exposition of the collocation that ends 1.2, of hakkol hevel, and that consequently, the best way to begin to understand hevel in Ecclesiastes is to understand 1.3-11. Chapter 1 presents the scholarly conversation this project enters while presenting some of the unresolved problems the primary text creates. Answers to these problems are suggested, anticipated contributions enumerated. It has not been shown to satisfaction how the first eleven verses of this book cohere or how its various strands―involving Davidic Israel, Qohelet himself, and all creation―tie together. This thesis aims to help remedy that situation. It shows Ecclesiastes not to be the black sheep of the Hebrew Bible but in line with its whole corpus. Chapter 2 reads Ecclesiastes 1.1 as forming an allusive-inclusio with verse 11 which echoes the regnal history of Israel from David to exile, thereby initiating the process of folding the story of Qohelet and Israel into the creation account which follows. It is thus a primer for the two-word judgment hakkol hevel which is summarised in verse 2 and unpacked in verses 3-11 and which folds all things (hakkol) into one thing (hevel). Chapter 3 is a reading of Ecclesiastes 1.2 that discerns its final two words, hakkol hevel, as encapsulating the verse and determining the verses that directly follow, namely Ecclesiastes 1.3-11. These two words carry the verbal freight of hevel into the creation of 1.3-11 and suggest that if we want to understand hevel we must understand the words that immediately follow and first explain it, verses 3-11. Lastly, the way in which hevel appears in verse 2 suggests what verse 1 did, that Qohelet is drawing on the sordid history of Israel to explain the state of all things in what follows. Chapters 3-6 are a close reading of Ecclesiastes 1.3-11 that traces the dynamic of hakkol hevel as it unfolds within creation, speaking both to the corrupt condition of creation and of Israel, thus tying the two together. Chapter 4 reads Ecclesiastes 1.3-4 as showing man and nature as distinct, connected by man’s painful toil, and thus characterised in their relationship by a subtle animosity. Chapter 5 reads Ecclesiastes 1.5-7 as showcasing nature as something characterised by man’s profitless toil but in its own way, through its endurance as opposed to man’s transience. Chapter 6 reads Ecclesiastes 1.8 as the convergence- point of the prologue, as the place where all creation becomes one, wearying thing and thus succinctly reflects hakkol hevel, whose highly antithetical meaning is something like everything is nothing. Verse 8 also hints at the reason for this cosmic fusion and dissolution: it is man’s idolatry, something hevel often speaks to in the Hebrew Bible. Chapter 7 reads Ecclesiastes 1.9-11 as the consummation of this cosmic fusion and dissolution: in these verses all time and space converge into one, wearying, forgettable and forgotten thing. The process mimics the process of death and tells us about what hevel means, for creation, and through Qohelet, for his people, Israel. This homogenisation of time and space polemicises the Latter Prophets through allusion and counters the hope for Israel and creation they proclaim. This is what hakkol hevel means for Qohelet. It means the end of all things, including Israel, in death, and owing to idolatry. Even so, through echo of the Hebrew Bible and in line with it, this prologue may hold out a glimmer of hope for Israel and all things.

[pt] Ecl 12,1-8, perícope sobre a qual se concentrou o objeto de estudo da presente pesquisa, consiste em uma poesia hebraica, caracterizada como uma instrução sapiencial, que tem como temas principais duas realidades do ocaso da vida: a velhice e a morte. Após a introdução, foram abordados alguns aspectos e conteúdos do livro de Eclesiastes, a fim de auxiliar na compreensão da perícope. O estudo exegético de Ecl 12,1-8 realizou-se por meio do método histórico-crítico. A perícope integra as seções de conteúdo ético do livro, o que fica evidenciado por meio do imperativo e lembra-te em Ecl 12,1a. Como unidade textual bem delimitada, com excelente nível de coesão e coerência, o texto de Ecl 12,1-8 está estruturado em quatro partes, enquadradas por uma introdução e uma conclusão, e desenvolvido a partir das locuções de caráter temporal enquanto não (cf. Ecl 12,1b.2a.6a) e no dia que (cf. Ecl 12,3a). Com acentuada linguagem simbólica, o sábio Qohelet dirige-se ao jovem, exortando-o à lembrança dos seus criadores, isto é, de Deus (v.1a), antes que cheguem a velhice (vv.3-5e) e a morte (vv.5f-7). O comentário da perícope foi feito a partir da estrutura identificada pela crítica da forma. Ao colocar Deus no início e no fim do poema (cf. Ecl 12,1.7), e ao exortar o jovem à lembrança de Deus antes da velhice e da morte, Qohelet quer provocar no jovem discípulo a reflexão sobre a importância da consciência da transitoriedade da vida e de Deus como único ponto de apoio absoluto. / [en] Eccl 12,1-8, pericope which is the object concentration of study the present search, consists of a hebrew poem, characterized as a sapiential instruction, whose main themes are two realities of the sunset of life: old age and death. After the introduction, some aspects and contents of the book of Ecclesiastes were approached, in order to aid in the understanding of the pericope. The exegetical study of Ecl 12.1-8 was performed using the historical-critical method. The pericope integrates the sections of ethical content of the book, which is evidenced by the imperative and remember in Ecl 12,1a. As a well-delimited textual unit, with an excellent level of cohesion and coherence, the pericope is structured in four parts, framed by an introduction and a conclusion, and developed from the temporal locutions while not (cf. Ecl 12,1b.2a.6a) and in the day which (cf. Eccl 12,3a). With a strong symbolic language, the wise man Qohelet addresses the young man, exhorting him to the memory of his creators, that is, of God (v.1a), before they reach old age (vv.3-5e) and death (vv.5f-7). The commentary on the pericope was made from the structure identified by the critic of the form. By placing God at the beginning and at the end of the poem (cf. Ecl 12,1.7), and by exhorting the young man to the remembrance of God before old age and death, Qohelet wants to provoke in the young disciple the reflection on the importance of the consciousness of the transience of life and of God as the sole point of absolute support.

[pt] O relacionamento homem-mulher sempre foi estudado por aqueles que se ocupam das ciências bíblicas. Este assunto é intrigante por abordar um aspecto desafiador da vida humana. Esta pesquisa buscou apresentar as relações entre Ct 8,5-7, Qoh 9,7-10 e Mt 19,1-9, no que diz respeito ao relacionamento homem e mulher. A intertextualidade apresentou como contribuição uma visão mais abrangente do texto e a percepção do pano de fundo que ajudou a compreender a origem das tradições. Inicialmente, foram apresentadas algumas questões introdutórias como determinação dos contextos históricos dos textos, reflexões sobre a história da interpretação dos mesmos. Em seguida, realizou-se a análise exegética dos respectivos textos a partir de instrumentos do método histórico-crítico. Por último, procurou-se apresentar as relações entre os referidos textos, dando ênfase particular às influências dessas narrações em seus supostos contextos históricos. Percebeu-se na gênese destes textos uma intencionalidade que pode ser definida como a força incomensurável do amor, sinal do Deus de Israel, manifestado concretamente no Ct 8,5-7, defendido como o melhor na vida de vaidade por Qoh 9,7-10, e, demonstrado como um dos fatores da radicalidade evangélica em Mt 19,1-9. Do ponto de vista sincrônico percebeu-se que o leitor que depara com estes textos foi e é provocado por essa intencionalidade subjacente. Isto é o que se percebe verificando a história da interpretação dos três textos. Esta mensagem foi o grande fundamento teológico que impulsionou e impulsiona a reflexão da teologia sobre o relacionamento homem-mulher. Esta percepção, no entanto, apresenta-se como um caminho a ser seguido e não como ponto de chegada. / [en] The relationship between man and woman has always been a subject of study for bible science researchers. This is an intriguing subject, due to the fact that it discusses a challenging aspect of the human life. This research presents the links between Ct 8,5-7, Qoh 9,7-10 e Mt 19,1-9, in the matter of man-woman relationship. The intertextuality presented, as a contribution, a more broad point-of-view of the text and the perception of the background that helped comprehending the origin of traditions. Initially, some introductory questions were presented as a determination of the historic contexts of the texts, as well as reflections about the history of their interpretations. Then, an exegetic analysis of the texts was carried out, using the instruments of the historic and critic method. For last, is presented the relations among the referred texts, giving particular emphasis to the influences of these narratives in their supposed historical contexts. It was realized in the genesis of these texts an intentionality that can be defined as an immeasurable force of love, of the presence of the God of Israel, manifested in Ct 8,5-7, defended as the best of the vanity life by Qoh 9,7-10, and demonstrated as one of the factors of evangelical radicalism in Mt 19,1-9. Of a synchronic point-of-view, one can realize that the reader of these texts is provoked by this subjacent intentionality. This is observed verifying the history of the interpretation of these three texts. This message was the great theological basis that drove and still drives the reflection of theology about the man-woman relationship. This perception, nevertheless, presents itself as a path to be followed, and not as a finish line.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T13:46:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSE REINALDO DE ARAUJO QUINTEIRO.pdf: 1398344 bytes, checksum: 5ce3b863ab88f9b8c96c2112bfbbe2cb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-14 / This thesis hopes to articulate the Existentialism of Sartre in interface with the biblical thought of Ecclesiastes; in essence the possibility of Man s knowledge of God is discussed. The first chapter explores Sartre s thoughts based on his philosophical works written between 1943 and 1946. In concomitance with the theories of Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, Freud and the principal phenomenological concepts of Husserl, the relationship between God, man and conscience is signalized. In that attempt, a concept of the existential conscience in Sartre is constructed that points to God s being in essence, but never in existence. The proposal is a defense of God s phenomenon in atheistic thought and how man perceives him in a different way in the world. The second chapter treats Ecclesiastes, also called Qohelet, as referred to in Sartre s thought and subsidized by Biblicists and commentators that concentrate on the study of man, God and world like Ravasi (1993) and Vílchez Líndez (1999). Questions concerning the book of Ecclesiastes from authorship, canonicity, and its ways of relating to God being in the world, a being that always manifests himself to man and through man s own initiative, are expounded. The third chapter is developed between two literatures, philosophical and biblical; efforts are concentrated in favor of a conceptual reconstruction of themes that refer to man s way of life. God is considered a phenomenon relating to Man s conscience; this discussion is only possible when dialogue is promoted between Sartre and Qohelet without limiting them to epistemological determinisms, but, rather, to phenomenological stances. It can, therefore, be concluded that it is man who chooses how to exist or how to make wise the phenomenon that is perceivable in the world; this choice is given through one s proper perception of the world. It is foreseen that arguments will be constructed for the defense of the hypothesis that only man can decide to know God because it is he who names God in order to hold him in usufruct in the midst of existential situations and in portion. Man is the only being in existence capable of knowing God, the being of essence. / Esta tese visa articular o existencialismo sartreano em interface com o pensamento bíblico do Eclesiastes; em seu cerne se discute a possibilidade de o homem conhecer a Deus. O primeiro capítulo explora o pensamento de Sartre com base nos textos filosóficos de 1943 a 1946. Em concomitância com as teorias de Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche e Freud e com os principais conceitos da fenomenologia em Husserl se sinaliza a relação Deus, homem e consciência. Nesse intento se constrói um conceito de consciência existencial em Sartre em que aponte o ser, Deus, em sua essência, jamais em existência. A proposta é defender o fenômeno Deus sob um pensar ateu e como o homem O percebe de forma diversificada no mundo. O segundo capítulo se ocupa do Eclesiastes, também chamado de Coélet, referenciado no pensamento de Sartre, subsidiado por biblistas e comentadores que se concentram na relação homem, Deus e mundo, como Ravasi (1993) e Vílchez Líndez (1999). Expõem- se as questões sobre o livro do Eclesiastes, desde a sua autoria à canonicidade e os seus modos de se relacionar com o ser de Deus no mundo; ser este que sempre se manifesta ao homem por iniciativa do próprio homem. O terceiro capítulo se desenvolve ao encontro entre as duas literaturas filosóficas e bíblicas; esforços são concentrados em prol da reconstrução conceitual dos temas que dizem respeito ao mundo da vida do homem. Deus é considerado um fenômeno à consciência do homem; esta discussão só é possível quando se promovem diálogos entre Sartre e Coélet sem enquadrá-los em determinismos epistemológicos, mas sim em posturas fenomenológicas. É visto, portanto, que é o homem quem escolhe como existenciar ou sapienciar o fenômeno perceptível no mundo; esta escolha se dá mediante o lançar da própria consciência no mundo. Ver-se-á que os argumentos são construídos para a defesa da hipótese de que só o homem é quem decide conhecer a Deus, porque é quem O nomeia à maneira de usufruí-Lo em meio às situações da existência, e em porção. O homem é o único ser em existência capaz de conhecer a Deus, o ser em essência.

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / In die veertigerjare het Robert Gordis aanhalings in die boek Prediker uitgewys. Diethelm Michel en Norman Whybray het die aanhalingshipotese ondersteun, terwyl Michael Fox nie ten gunste daarvan was nie. Whybray het kriteria saarngestel op grond waarvan hy aanhalings uit ouer wysheidsmateriaal kon onderskei. Fox kon op grond van sy eie kriteria geen aanhalings identifiseer nie. Om vas te st el of die Prediker we! uit ouer wysheidsmateriaal aanhaal, word eerstens gekyk na hoe die wysheid in Israel ontstaan het en wat die boek Prediker se verhouding tot ander wysheidsgeskrifte is. Hie ma word die histories-kritiese bestudering van die boek onder die loep geneem alvorens die navorsingsgeskiedenis van aanhalings nagegaan word. Prediker 9-11 word ondersoek om te bepaal of die Prediker we! uit vroeere wysheidsmateriaal aanhaal. Ten slotte word die vraag gevra of Bybelvertalings aanhalings moet uitlig ten einde die teks beter verstaanbaar te maak. / In the forties, Robert Gordis pointed out that quotations do occur in the book Ecclesiastes. Diethelm Michel and Norman Whybray endorsed this hypothesis of quotations, while Michael Fox has taken a stance against it. Whybray compiled criteria to distinguish older wisdom sayings in the book Ecclesiastes. Fox applied his own criteria and could not find any quotations. To determine if the author (Qohelet) does quote from older wisdom material, we take a look how the wisdom developed in Israel and what the book's relation was to other wisdom books. Then the contribution of the historical-critical methods to the understanding of the book is surveyed before die research history of quotations is discussed. Ecclesiastes 9-11 is examined to determine if Qohelet really quotes from older wisdom material. Finally, we ask the question whether quotations should be highlighted in Bible translations in order to improve understanding of the text. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M.A.(Biblical Studies)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in English and Afrikaans / In die veertigerjare het Robert Gordis aanhalings in die boek Prediker uitgewys. Diethelm Michel en Norman Whybray het die aanhalingshipotese ondersteun, terwyl Michael Fox nie ten gunste daarvan was nie. Whybray het kriteria saarngestel op grond waarvan hy aanhalings uit ouer wysheidsmateriaal kon onderskei. Fox kon op grond van sy eie kriteria geen aanhalings identifiseer nie. Om vas te st el of die Prediker we! uit ouer wysheidsmateriaal aanhaal, word eerstens gekyk na hoe die wysheid in Israel ontstaan het en wat die boek Prediker se verhouding tot ander wysheidsgeskrifte is. Hie ma word die histories-kritiese bestudering van die boek onder die loep geneem alvorens die navorsingsgeskiedenis van aanhalings nagegaan word. Prediker 9-11 word ondersoek om te bepaal of die Prediker we! uit vroeere wysheidsmateriaal aanhaal. Ten slotte word die vraag gevra of Bybelvertalings aanhalings moet uitlig ten einde die teks beter verstaanbaar te maak. / In the forties, Robert Gordis pointed out that quotations do occur in the book Ecclesiastes. Diethelm Michel and Norman Whybray endorsed this hypothesis of quotations, while Michael Fox has taken a stance against it. Whybray compiled criteria to distinguish older wisdom sayings in the book Ecclesiastes. Fox applied his own criteria and could not find any quotations. To determine if the author (Qohelet) does quote from older wisdom material, we take a look how the wisdom developed in Israel and what the book's relation was to other wisdom books. Then the contribution of the historical-critical methods to the understanding of the book is surveyed before die research history of quotations is discussed. Ecclesiastes 9-11 is examined to determine if Qohelet really quotes from older wisdom material. Finally, we ask the question whether quotations should be highlighted in Bible translations in order to improve understanding of the text. / Biblical and Ancient studies / M.A.(Biblical Studies)

This thesis is concerned with, in the words of Song of Songs, finding an appropriate answer to Qohelet's vanity - vanity of a human life and things that inherently come with it, as Qohelet himself proclaims in his book. The first chapter introduces the Book of Qohelet and aims to capture the main themes of vanity and transience, while also providing the ways out from this situation, as presented by Qohelet. The second chapter introduces the reader to the Song of Songs book while also describing its content which concerns the interpretation of love between a man and a woman. The third chapter brings forward efforts of the author and the main themes and conclusions of the book are analysed. This allows - in the conclusion of this thesis - to answer the question of whether the love in the Songs of Songs is a possible answer to Qoheleth's vanity - the transience of a human life, as brought out by Qohelet in his work.