Book contents
- Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World
- Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Suffering and Meaning in Egyptian Literature
- 3 Suffering and Meaning in Mesopotamian Literature
- 4 Suffering and Meaning in Greek Literature
- 5 Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life
- 6 Ecclesiastes, Suffering and Joy
- 7 In Context
- Bibliography
- Index of Sources
- Index of Authors and Topics
6 - Ecclesiastes, Suffering and Joy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2022
- Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World
- Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Suffering and Meaning in Egyptian Literature
- 3 Suffering and Meaning in Mesopotamian Literature
- 4 Suffering and Meaning in Greek Literature
- 5 Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life
- 6 Ecclesiastes, Suffering and Joy
- 7 In Context
- Bibliography
- Index of Sources
- Index of Authors and Topics
Summary
Understood as a process of undergoing pain, “suffering” as such is rarely mentioned in the Old Testament. Lexemes pertinent to the notion are examined, particularly כעס and מכאוב, and the relationship of suffering to the three conceptions of life’s meaning are delineated. In short, suffering can relate to meaning in a causal sense and, in some cases, in a derivative sense, so that meaninglessness sometimes causes suffering, and in other cases suffering contributes to life’s meaninglessness. More specifically, there is a consistent connection between suffering and the different types of life’s meaning, such as, on the one hand, when emotional pain compromises life’s significance and, on the other, when incoherence brings Qohelet to despair. Against each encounter with suffering, Qohelet commends joy, which, while fending off incoherence and endowing life with some level of significance, particularly gives life a purpose. That purpose, instilled by seeking joy in life, provides a solution to the sorrow.
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- Ecclesiastes and the Meaning of Life in the Ancient World , pp. 121 - 168Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022