Excurs hermeneutic. Metafora deşertăciunii în cartea Ecclesiastului

Abstract

The study aims at understanding the meaning and accurate interpretation of the Hebrew word “hebel”, as used in the Ecclesiastes Book. Initially, the work analyses some isagogic aspects before investigating the main topic. The language of the book has a complicated style and an unusual vocabulary. So far, research has assigned these features to linguistic factors, supposing that the text reflected an underrepresented dialect or register. However, current studies approach the discourse on this language from a new extralinguistic perspective. The Ecclesiastes is the only purely philosophical biblical book, focusing on abstract issues, such as the purpose of life or free will. This article analyses how Qoheleth’s need for an adequate conceptual style modelled his words.