In recent scholarship, many wisdom scholars have recognized the literary unity of the book of Ecclesiastes primarily through the framing narrative that encapsulates Qohelet’s first-person autobiography. However, debate persists regarding Qohelet’s perspective, particularly whether he maintains a royal perspective throughout the text or shifts to a non-royal stance. While some scholars argue for the recurrence of a royal perspective, others suggest a transition towards an anti-monarchical stance.
This paper seeks to explore the significance of the so-called anti-monarchical texts within Ecclesiastes, particularly in relation to the superscription found in Ecclesiastes 1:1 identifying Qohelet as a king in Israel. By examining these texts in light of the overarching framework provided by the superscription, this paper aims to demonstrate that they do not signal a departure from Qohelet’s royal persona. Instead, they serve to underscore Qohelet’s recognition of the transient and limited nature of his own, and every other monarch’s, authority on earth.
The central argument of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it asserts that the superscription in Ecclesiastes 1:1 plays a crucial hermeneutical role in establishing the voice and royal perspective of Qohelet’s autobiography throughout the book. Secondly, it reevaluates the relationship between the anti-monarchical texts and Qohelet’s royal persona, contending that they do not negate his kingly perspective but rather reinforce his existential reflections on power and mortality. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse within wisdom literature studies by challenging prevailing assumptions about Qohelet’s perspective and highlights the importance of considering the overarching literary structure of the text in understanding its thematic coherence and message. Ultimately, this reevaluation enhances our understanding of the message of Ecclesiastes and the limited nature of and understanding of control and power in light of an enigmatic world.