The Book of Ecclesiastes (Qohelet) and the Path to Joyous Living

This is the first full-length study of Ecclesiastes using methods of philosophical exegesis.

T. A. Perry (Author)

9781107088047, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 30 June 2015

273 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.1 cm, 0.55 kg

'[Perry's] examination of Qohelet's enigmatic words in the company of an impressive gallery of thinkers from ancient to modern times is something of a tour de force in bending Ecclesiastes to the task of getting on with life. As a saying of [Perry's] own coinage states: 'OK, all is vanity/breath; now what's for supper?'. John Jarick, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

This is the first full-length study of Ecclesiastes using methods of philosophical exegesis, specifically those of the modern French philosophers Levinas and Blanchot. T. A. Perry opens up new horizons in the philosophical understanding of the Hebrew Bible, offering a series of meditations on its general spiritual outlook. Perry breaks down Ecclesiastes' motto 'all is vanity' and returns 'vanity' to its original concrete meaning of 'breath', the breath of life. This central and forgotten teaching of Ecclesiastes leads to new areas of breath research related both to environmentalism and breath control.

Introduction: the path of moral philosophy and beyond
Part I. Human Hebel ('Vanity'): Sins of Collection: 1. 'I Qohelet was king' (1:12): the collector theme (1:12-2:26)
2. Fool's toil (1:2-3)
3. Excess and its passions (1:8-11)
4. A practical guide for living wisely
Part II. Universal Hebel ('Wind'): Transience, Time, and Indifference: 5. Cosmic patterns of return and renewal
6. The catalogue of human times (3:1-8)
Part III. The Hebel of 'Dis-aster': Totalities, Transcendence, and Crossover Concepts: 7. Totalities and the outside (dehors)
8. Living 'under the sun' and with transience
9. Breath of breaths: Qohelet's motto and theme and refrain: a Levinassian exegesis
Part IV. The Hebel of Words: 10. Nothing remains (1:3)? Nothing new (1:9
12:8-12)
Part V. Theological Conclusions: 11. Qohelet's very final words: a judging God, or judging God (12:13-14)
12. Qohelet's very first words: testifying against God and his 'evil' (1:13)
13. The 'all' of humans: fear God but also keep the Commandments (12:13)
Conclusions: singing in truth
Appendix: further notes and topics on breath research.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Old Testaments [HRCF1], Bibles [HRCF], Religion: general [HRA]