THE “THREE VOICES” OF QOHELET
In his new book Understanding Wisdom Literature: Conflict and Dissonance in the Hebrew Text (Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012) the leading biblical scholar David Penchansky has argued that there are three distinct
voices in the Book of Qohelet that exist in tension with one another and “contend for dominance” (p. 59):
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Pessimistic (2:1; 2:17; 4:8; 6:2) = “Pessimistic Qohelet…opposed the tenets of traditional wisdom theology and other
deeply held religious beliefs of his people: He rejected the notion that god will punish the wicked and reward the
righteous. He rejected the notion that humans were better (better than, having authority over) the animals. He
rejected the notion that God was a just judge” (p. 53).
Fear God (5:7; 7:18; 8:12) = “For Fear God Qohelet, God orders the universe, punishing the wicked and…rewarding the
righteous, those who fear God” (p. 54).
Enjoy Life (2:24; 3:12; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7, 9; 11:7) = “This voice commends enjoyment of life, which is a gift from God, and
in fact, God commands people to have fun….Enjoy Life Qohelet’s voice is happy and positive, and this Qohelet’s God is
open-handed and approachable….
There are three ways interpreters have understood the pleasure passages: First, some say that they are the
actual advice from the author of the book, that one should take pleasure and enjoy life and the things it provides. In
the light of the limitations of human understanding, taking pleasure in one’s food and drink, one’s companions, the
beauties of nature and getting up every morning—these are a great good and a gift from God.”
Alternatively, some have read the pleasure passages this way; Because of the realities of injustice and death,
there are very few things that life has to offer. Considering the hunger and ignorance with which humans face life, this
paltry little bit of fleeting pleasure is all that life has to offer, and we had better take it and squeeze all the juice out of
it we can, because it’s all we get, and we don’t know for how long.
Or finally, some read the positive passages this way: The exhortations to pleasure are a mockery, because in
the light of how fleeting and unjust life is, this pleasure will never make up for the human suffering and the desolation
of death” (p. 57).
THE “THREE VOICES” OF QOHELET
In his new book Understanding Wisdom Literature: Conflict and Dissonance in the Hebrew Text (Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2012) the leading biblical scholar David Penchansky has argued that there are three distinct
voices in the Book of Qohelet that exist in tension with one another and “contend for dominance” (p. 59):



Pessimistic (2:1; 2:17; 4:8; 6:2) = “Pessimistic Qohelet…opposed the tenets of traditional wisdom theology and other
deeply held religious beliefs of his people: He rejected the notion that god will punish the wicked and reward the
righteous. He rejected the notion that humans were better (better than, having authority over) the animals. He
rejected the notion that God was a just judge” (p. 53).
Fear God (5:7; 7:18; 8:12) = “For Fear God Qohelet, God orders the universe, punishing the wicked and…rewarding the
righteous, those who fear God” (p. 54).
Enjoy Life (2:24; 3:12; 5:18; 8:15; 9:7, 9; 11:7) = “This voice commends enjoyment of life, which is a gift from God, and
in fact, God commands people to have fun….Enjoy Life Qohelet’s voice is happy and positive, and this Qohelet’s God is
open-handed and approachable….
There are three ways interpreters have understood the pleasure passages: First, some say that they are the
actual advice from the author of the book, that one should take pleasure and enjoy life and the things it provides. In
the light of the limitations of human understanding, taking pleasure in one’s food and drink, one’s companions, the
beauties of nature and getting up every morning—these are a great good and a gift from God.”
Alternatively, some have read the pleasure passages this way; Because of the realities of injustice and death,
there are very few things that life has to offer. Considering the hunger and ignorance with which humans face life, this
paltry little bit of fleeting pleasure is all that life has to offer, and we had better take it and squeeze all the juice out of
it we can, because it’s all we get, and we don’t know for how long.
Or finally, some read the positive passages this way: The exhortations to pleasure are a mockery, because in
the light of how fleeting and unjust life is, this pleasure will never make up for the human suffering and the desolation
of death” (p. 57).