@article{ART003219319},
author={Jinkyu Kim},
title={A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death},
journal={Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies},
issn={1229-0521},
year={2025},
volume={31},
number={2},
pages={123-157}
TY - JOUR
AU - Jinkyu Kim
TI - A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death
JO - Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
PY - 2025
VL - 31
IS - 2
PB - Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
SP - 123
EP - 157
SN - 1229-0521
AB - This study examines Qohelet's perspective on death as presented in the book of Ecclesiastes. Through careful exegetical analysis of key passages and examination of the book's broader theological framework, the research argues that Qohelet's seemingly pessimistic statements about death serve rhetorical purposes within his wisdom discourse. Rather than advocating nihilism, Qohelet uses direct observations about death to lead his audience toward genuine faith that acknowledges human limitations while embracing divine sovereignty.
The methodology employs multifaceted approaches including exegetical analysis of the Hebrew text with particular attention to the semantic field of “hebel” (vanity/vapor), literary analysis examining how statements about death function within the book's overall structure and rhetorical strategy, and a canonical approach that situates Ecclesiastes within the broader theological framework of Hebrew wisdom literature.
The research analyzes key death-related passages (Ecclesiastes 3:18-22, 9:1-10, 12:1-8), explores theological themes including the concept of “hebel,” God's sovereignty in relation to human mortality, and the value of present life from a mortality perspective. It also compares Qohelet's discourse on death with other biblical and deuterocanonical wisdom literature (Proverbs, Job, Psalms, Sirach, The Wisdom of Solomon) and considers the epilogue's role in framing Qohelet's observations within covenant theology.
The study concludes that Qohelet's discussions of death express the mysterious and paradoxical nature of human existence before God rather than absolute meaninglessness. The tensions in his discourse—between empirical observation and faith, present mortality and divine judgment, death's universality and the value of righteous living—reflect the complexity of biblical wisdom that refuses simple answers to life's deepest questions. For contemporary readers, Qohelet offers a model of faith that integrates difficult questions, values present existence without denying its limitations, and maintains hope in God's justice without presuming to fully comprehend it.
KW - Qohelet (Ecclesiastes);Death;Hebel;Biblical wisdom literature;Divine sovereignty
DO -
UR -
ER -
Jinkyu Kim. (2025). A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 31(2), 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. 2025, "A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death", Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, vol.31, no.2 pp.123-157.
Jinkyu Kim "A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 31.2 pp.123-157 (2025) : 123.
Jinkyu Kim. A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death. 2025; 31(2), 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. "A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 31, no.2 (2025) : 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies, 31(2), 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death. Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies. 2025; 31(2) 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death. 2025; 31(2), 123-157.
Jinkyu Kim. "A Study on Qohelet's Perspective on Death" Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies 31, no.2 (2025) : 123-157.
