Ecclesiastes

The Preacher (Greek translation of the Hebrew , "one who addresses the crowd"), is a book of the Hebrew Bible , part of the Ketuvim , present in all guns.

The author presents himself as "Qohelet," son of David , king of Israel in Jerusalem (1:1, 12, 16, 2:7, 9), without naming them. The end of the book also assigns the writing of proverbs. It is traditionally identified with Solomon , which is disputed by Voltaire , and exegetes after him modern, dating the work of the ^third century BC. BC, during the Hellenistic where the Hebrews were influenced by various Greek philosophical systems such as Epicureanism and Stoicism.

The book consists of personal or autobiographical reflections, largely expressed in aphorisms and maxims, in terse paragraphs referring to the meaning of life and how to carry it out. He emphatically proclaims the "futility" and the futility of all human action, wise and crazy knowing the common lot of death.
Although the preacher clearly puts wisdom over folly, he did not recognize the eternal value, just a pleasure of life. Perceiving this absence of meaning, the author recommends to enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life, like eating and drinking, joy at work, around the person you love, which are gifts from God. It also recommends to refrain from cursing the king (and King ), despite the perception of injustice in the world.
Finally, he concludes that his search for meaning in life led him to the fact that the primary duty of mankind and the only sustainable thing is to "Fear God and keep His commandments , because this is all the Man (12:13). "

From the Christian perspective, the author wrote much of the book from the perspective of those who have not received the Gospel. He writes under the feelings of the inhabitants of the world, is to say, those who are "under the sun" (Ec 1:9). Much of the book seems negative and pessimistic (Ec 9:5, 10), in the absence of any prospect of a future life.

Summary 1 "Qohelet" and "Ecclesiastes" 2 Theme 3 Author and historical background 3.1 The author 3.2 Language 3.3 Date of drafting 4 "Vanity" 5 Place the barrel 5.1 The Name of God 5.2 canonicity 5.3 Orthodoxy views 5.4 Death and Beyond 6 References to Ecclesiastes in later works 6.1 Quotations 7 Notes and references 8 See also 8.1 Bibliography 8.2 Related articles External 8.3 Links

"Qohelet" and "Ecclesiastes"

The Hebrew term is built on the root, meaning "crowd" and, as a verb "gather". is more likely under one name, referring to a "unifier." Depending on context, it is either crowds to instruct them in wisdom, or of aphorisms for the same purpose.

The title of French 's book, Ecclesiastes, comes from the translation of the Septuagint by of Qohelet. The word originates from the Greek (at the base, a "gathering" without religious connotations, although later used for this purpose a priority, hence rendering by church in the New Testament).

The French translation (with commentary almost exhaustive) of the Greek version is published in the collection The Bible of Alexandria ^Theme

Its theme is the vanity (in the sense of "what is vain") of human affairs. The book opens with an admission of powerlessness and pessimism: It is vain to say that is futile and meaningless. "There is nothing new under the sun." Wisdom is equivalent to grief, know the pain. The wise and the foolish face the same fate in death and oblivion. The insecurity caused by the constant threat of death and injustice prevailing among men, the impossibility of knowing God's plans for the world, make the fate of the fragile and elusive man.

Against this backdrop, the book stresses the importance of this life as the only field of activity and significant achievements for the man before he goes away into eternity, to "have fun with the woman you love "and" respect the commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. "

Author and historical background

Author

In the first two chapters, the author describes himself as the son of David king of Israel in Jerusalem, a philosopher in a court of bright people. These indices can only point to King Solomon , because his successors ruled over Jerusalem as Judah. Consequently, both the rabbinical tradition that the early Christians attributed to King Solomon in Ecclesiastes.

Cette opinion a t abandonne par beaucoup de critiques modernes, qui pensent actuellement que est le fruit d'une tradition pseudo-pigraphique , voulant donner du poids un nouveau livre en l'attribuant la bouche d'un Sage bien connu et respect. The view of modern criticism is that Ecclesiastes was written around 250 BC by a non-Hellenized intellectual belonging to the middle of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The last possible date of writing is determined by the fact that Ben Sirakh quote or paraphrase repeatedly and this rather as a canonical and contemporary writing.

However, many modern scholars Conservatives also recognize today that Solomon is an author unlikely. Because this work is in the Ketuvim , there must be a place for poetic treatment. There are two voices in the book, the main narrator (1.1-11; 12.9-14) and Qoheleth (1.12-12.8). Although this is not considered an indication that there are two authors, it encourages the reader to place themselves in the storyline and see the continuation of Wisdom from the perspective of Solomon. Thus, the author is probably a Hebrew poet who uses the life of Solomon as a point of view to illustrate the continuation of Wisdom from the Hebrew (Ecc 1.13, 7.25 8.16 Job 28.12). This would place the book in the last days of the canonical writings (see Flavius Josephus , Against Apion 1.38-42, which says a barrel closed at the beginning of time post exile) when wisdom seemed out of reach to the Hebrews (Ecc 1.17, 7.23; Pro 30.1-3).

Language

The Hebrew of Ecclesiastes was not common at the time of Solomon's reign, and contains many borrowings from foreign languages, including Aramaic and Persian. The influence of these two languages is characteristic of late Hebrew, and would have occurred during the mixing of cultures produced by the Babylonian captivity.

However, the use of these languages could also be a reference to the author's linguistic talents that Solomon would have owned and developed during the development of trade and industry, as well as with diplomats and itinerant other contacts with the outside world (1 Kings 4:30, 34; 9:26-28, 10:1, 23, 24).

Date of writing

Dominic Rudman, Determinism in the Book of Ecclesiastes (JSOTSup. 316; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001, p. 13) cites the modern commentaries on this dating.

• Dominic Rudman. "A Note on Dating of Ecclesiastes." Catholic Biblical Quarterly, vol. 61 no. 1 (1999) pp. 47-53 contains a discussion with CL Seow, "Linguistic Evidence and The Dating of Qohelet." JBL in flight. 115 (1996), pp. 653-54 - Seow supports a ^4th century dating.

Original quote in English:

"Most current Commentators eg, RN Whybray, Ecclesiastes "Vanity"

The stated objective of Qoheleth is to discover how to take advantage of life, a goal consistent with the general guidelines of the Literature sapiential. For Qoheleth, however, any possible benefits of life is annihilated by the inevitability of death. As such, Qoheleth concludes that life (and everything) is senseless. In light of this conclusion, Qoheleth advises his audience to make the most of life, to seize the day now, because there is no way to ensure a positive future. Although this latter conclusion has sometimes been compared to the Epicurean , it is presented for Qoheleth as the inevitable result of his failure to give meaning to existence.

This conclusion is reflected in the chorus that opens at the same time it closes Qoeleth words:

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

The word translated as vanity, (Hevel), literally means vapor, mist, breath, soft breath. It should be noted that the same word that designates one of the leading characters of Genesis and that tradition has resulted in Abel. Qoheleth uses it metaphorically and its precise meaning is debated intensively. Note that in French, in its current usage, the word vanity today tends to approach the notion of pride, and refers more often a person's character by demonstrating self-satisfaction and pleasure that to openly express his love of sound. This is not the meaning that should be retained in Ecclesiastes where the word vanity is used in its oldest and most literary of "what is vain," that is to say futile, illusory, vacuum, little impact, even without any reality.

Finally, the author of Ecclesiastes comes to this conclusion in the penultimate chapter to the last:

Let us hear the end of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. This is what must be every man.

Some argue that this verse is an addition to the original manuscript because it contrasts with all previous statements. Others argue that in fact the full message by saying that nothing more important than God's work.

Place in the barrel

The Name of God

canonicity

Orthodoxy views

Ecclesiastes seems to harmonize with other Biblical writings that share common themes. Ecclesiastes agrees with Genesis regarding the origin of man, a body composed of soil dust, and having a spirit (or life force) from God, and a breath arguing ( The Ecclesiastes 3:20, 21; 12:7, Genesis 2:7, 7:22; Isaiah 42:5). Ecclesiastes also reaffirmed the precept torana that the creation of man is perfect and virtuous, but that he chose his own to disobey God (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 1:31; 3: 17; Deuteronomy 32:4, 5). Finally, Ecclesiastes acknowledges God as Creator of the Universe (Ecclesiastes 12:1, Genesis 1:1).

Death and Beyond

Much of the book focuses on death and the opinions of Ecclesiastes about the forgetting of Sheol (the grave) are frequently cited. A meaningless life followed by oblivion is consistent with the assertions of almost all (if not all) the rest of the Tanakh about the state of death (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; Genesis 3:19; Psalms 6:5; 115:17). However, there are many points of view other than forgetting the philosophy Jewish and Christian about the afterlife, such as the resurrection is not the least of them.

References to Ecclesiastes in later works

Quotes

"Hevel Havelim, Hakol Havel ( lat. "vanitas omnia vanitas vanitatum" fr. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity", cf. above)

"All rivers run into the sea and the sea is not full" (also the title of two novels by Elie Wiesel )

"Nothing new under the sun"

"There is a time for everything"

"Consider the work of God: who can straighten what he does so crooked?" 7:13

" vae soli "woe to that man alone! Words of Ecclesiastes Chapter IV Verse 10 that characterize the unfortunate position of an isolated man, left to itself. Quote: that man is alone with no one, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his work and his eyes are never satisfied with riches ... For whom do I work and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This too is vanity and unfortunate occupation. 4.9 Two are better than one: because they will withdraw a good profit from their labor. 4.10 If they fall, one can meet his companion, but woe to him who is alone, if he falls, he does not second to relieve. 4.11 Similarly, if two lie together, they are hot, but he who is alone, how could he hot? 4.12 and if an attacker takes precedence over one, two held her head. The triple cord does not break soon. "

References

• (In) This article is partially or entirely from the article in English entitled " Ecclesiastes "(see the list of authors )

See also

Bibliography

In French (not exhaustive)

• Andre Neher "Notes on Quhlt" Les Editions de Minuit, 1951 (Jewish Thinker, Hebraist, exegete and philosopher)
• Daniel Lys "misinterpretations of Happiness or the implacable lucidity Quhleth" Editions du Moulin 1998 (honorary professor of the Faculty of Protestant Theology of Montpellier)
• Jacques Roubaud "Under the Sun Vanity of Vanities" 2004 Bayard (Poet philosopher and translator of Ecclesiastes)
• Jacques Ellul "La Raison d'Etre, Meditation on Ecclesiastes" 1987 Threshold (Required, unavoidable)
• Emmanuel Podechard "Ecclesiastes" 1912 Gabalda

Articles on the subject:

• Jewish Encyclopedia Ecclesiastes (Kohelet)
• Ecclesiastes An Overview - William MacDonald
• Biblaridion magazine: The Sitz im Leben of Ecclesiastes - authored by Uzziah
• Commentary on Ecclesiastes by FC Jennings
• Free audiobook of "Ecclesiastes (ASV) - Book of the Holy Scriptures 21" from LibriVox

Related articles

• Bible
  • Tanakh
  • List of books of the Bible

External Links

• Translations Jewish :
  • Sefarim ( Masoretic text , the JPS English translation of 1917 French translation of the Rabbinate)
  • Kohelet - Ecclesiastes - Job (Judaica Press) translation and the comment of Rashi on Chabad.org

• Translations Christian :
  • The Preacher on Wikisource (Version John Nelson Darby , 1872)
  • The Preacher on Wikisource (Version Ernest Renan , 1881)
  • The Preacher on Wikisource (version Louis Segond , 1910)
  • The Preacher on Wikisource (Version Augustin Crampon , 1923)
  • The Preacher in liturgical translation of the Bible - AELF
• Ecclesiastes, audio version