Ecclesiastes and Scepticism

by Stuart Weeks

Publisher:

T&T Clark

, 2012

Overview

Scholars often view the apparent skepticism of Ecclesiastes in terms of a reaction against the more confident assertions found in works like Proverbs, and the book does indeed seem to deny the possibility of humans shaping their future or changing their fate through informed action. What appears to concern the work’s protagonist, whose monologue occupies most of its length, is not any skepticism about God’s activity or consistency, but rather the problems that arise from a human inability to discern divine action or purpose.

This study seeks to understand both the roots and the implications of this empiricism, comparing the monologue with other biblical and ancient literature, and suggesting that, although it has points of contact with other texts, its skepticism is largely distinctive, and unlikely to represent some broader tradition.

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Key Features

• Compares Ecclesiastes with other biblical and ancient literature
• Suggests that the skepticism of Ecclesiastes is largely distinctive
• Discusses the unlikeliness of Ecclesiastes representing some broader tradition

Praise for the Print Edition

This is a very technical book, as are all books in this series. It is meant for scholars and teachers of the Wisdom tradition of ancient Israel.

—Dianne Bergant, professor of Old Testament studies, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

Product Details

• Title: Ecclesiastes and Scepticism
• Author: Stuart Weeks
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 240
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Ecclesiastes › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780567252883, 0567252884, 9780567219404, 9780567547156, 0567219402, 0567547159
• Resource ID: LLS:CCLSSTSSCPTCSM
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:18:34Z

About Stuart Weeks

Stuart Weeks is senior lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew at Durham University. He is the author of Early Israelite Wisdom and Instructions & Imagery in Proverbs 1-9. He is also the author of the new ICC volume on Ecclesiastes.