
Symbol and Rhetoric in Ecclesiastes
The Place of Hebel in Qohelet's Work
Douglas B. Miller(Author)
Society of Biblical Literature (Publisher)
Published on 1. January 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
258 pages
978-1-58983-029-5 (ISBN)
Description
Interpreters of Ecclesiastes have struggled with the word hebel (traditionally "vanity" but literally "vapor"). The positions they have adopted regarding the term have influenced their interpretation of the book as a whole. This work defends a new thesis for hebel. It presents a methodology for metaphor and symbol, then demonstrates how Qohelet employs hebel in the book with referents related to "insubstantiality," "transience," and "foulness." These referents are incorporated into a single, multivalent vapor-symbol by which Qohelet represents human experience. The study provides significant substantiation for the "realist" position on Ecclesiastes: Qohelet does not declare life to be entirely meaningless or absurd, but rather says that life is filled with limitations and complications and counsels his readers how to make the most of that life. The study concludes with a proposal for the rhetoric of Ecclesiastes in light of the symbol thesis. Paperback edition is available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Atlanta
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
424 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-58983-029-5 (9781589830295)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Douglas B. Miller (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies at Tabor College. He is the author of several books, including Ecclesiastes in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series.