Language:
English
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
Angaben zur Quelle:
45,2 (2020) 198-216
Keywords:
Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.
;
Bible. Philosophy
;
Rhetoric in the Bible
;
Vapors
;
Signs and symbols in the Bible
Abstract:
Drawing on the arguments that hebel is the thesis of Ecclesiastes as well as Qoheleth’s rhetorical tool, this essay examines hebel’s connection with Qoheleth’s ambiguities and contradictions. Understanding hebel in terms of its basic meaning, that is, vapour, we argue that Qoheleth employs the image as his rhetorical strategy because of its opaque and fluctuating character. Being opaque, hebel is an ideal symbol for delineating phenomena which are ambiguous and hard to define. Coupled with its capacity for infinite change, the opacity allows hebel semantic inexhaustibility, making it a versatile device for describing the fluctuating nature of reality. As everything is opaque and in constant change, Qoheleth cannot offer advice in absolute terms and often ends up making contradictory statements.
DOI:
10.1177/0309089220903333
URL:
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