The ambiguity of Qohelet : a study of the ambiguous nature of the language, syntax and structure of the Masoretic text of Qohelet
The premise upon which this thesis is founded is that the book of Qohelet is fundamentally ambiguous. Ambiguity is attached to all its major themes, and can be discerned in its language, syntax and structure. This has not been given due attention in previous works on Qohelet. The introduction considers the concepts of 'ambiguity' and 'meaning': it is crucial for the reader to understand what is meant in this thesis by these terms. 'Ambiguity' is understood as those aspects of the text whose indeterminacy requires the reader to fill in 'meaning' in order for a coherent reading to be produced: thus the reader's role is crucial, but is nonetheless restricted by the determinate schemata in the text. Part 1 explores the determinate schemata in Qohelet in an attempt to provide objective criteria against which the ambiguities may be set. Detailed attention is paid to the text in order to discern trends and patterns in the book. These are employed in an attempt to discover how the book as a whole and the sections within it are structured. Part 1 ends by asserting that it is ultimately futile to seek an overall structure or pattern to the book: this is an aspect of its ambiguity. Part 2 systematically examines linguistic
Ingram, Douglas Nairn
Bible O. T. Language, style ; Bible O. T. Criticism, interpretation, etc ; Bible O. T. Ecclesiastes Criticism, interpretation, etc
The ambiguity of Qohelet : a study of the ambiguous nature of the language, syntax and structure of the Masoretic text of Qohelet. The premise upon which this thesis is founded is that the book of Qohelet is fundamentally ambiguous. Ambiguity is attached to all its major themes, and can be discerned in its language, syntax and structure. This has not been given due attention in previous works on Qohelet. The introduction considers the concepts of 'ambiguity' and 'meaning': it is crucial for the reader to understand what is meant in this thesis by these terms. 'Ambiguity' is understood as those aspects of the text whose indeterminacy requires the reader to fill in 'meaning' in order for a coherent reading to be produced: thus the reader's role is crucial, but is nonetheless restricted by the determinate schemata in the text. Part 1 explores the determinate schemata in Qohelet in an attempt to provide objective criteria against which the ambiguities may be set. Detailed attention is paid to the text in order to discern trends and patterns in the book. These are employed in an attempt to discover how the book as a whole and the sections within it are structured. Part 1 ends by asserting that it is ultimately futile to seek an overall structure or pattern to the book: this is an aspect of its ambiguity. Part 2 systematically examines linguistic
ambiguity study ambiguous nature language syntax structure text premise_upon found book fundamentally ambiguous ambiguity attach major_theme discern language syntax structure give due attention previous_work introduction considers concepts ambiguity meaning crucial reader meant term ambiguity understood aspect text whose indeterminacy require reader fill meaning order coherent reading produce thus reader role crucial nonetheless restrict determinate schema text part explores determinate schema attempt_provide objective criterion ambiguity may set detailed attention_pay text order discern trend pattern book employ attempt_discover book whole section within structure part end assert ultimately futile seek overall structure pattern book aspect ambiguity part systematically examines linguistic