John H. Choi, «The Doctrine of the Golden Mean in Qoh 7,15-18: A Universal Human Pursuit», Vol. 83 (2002) 358-374

Two issues surrounding the doctrine of the golden mean in Qoh 7,15-18 are addressed. First, a review and critique of previous research demonstrates that the passage indeed supports the golden mean, and does not present a theological problem to the reader. Secondly, the view that the golden mean is a Hellenistic product is challenged by considering: (1) the dating and (2) nature of cultural exchange between Greece and the Near East; (3) linguistic data indicating an early date of composition for Qoheleth; and (4) the presence of Near Eastern and Eastern ideas of the golden mean. These four factors demonstrate that the golden mean in Qoheleth likely is not of Greek origin from the time of Alexander the Great, but is likely a universal phenomenon.

        Further, v. 15, which provides the foundation for the warnings against extreme behavior in vv.16-17, does so in clearly ethical terms by presenting the counter-traditional observation that a righteous one dies while a wicked one prolongs life. If there indeed is dissimilarity between wisdom/folly and ethics in this passage, it is illogical that Qoheleth would give advice regarding wisdom based on ethical observations. Additionally, it is unlikely that Qoheleth would view wisdom/folly and ethics, reflected in the terms, qydc and (#$r⁸, as disparate. Qoheleth is, at minimum, a negative commentary on traditional wisdom, as influenced by retribution theology ⁹. But even if Qoheleth completely rejects traditional wisdom, this does not necessitate a rejection of the language of traditional wisdom. Hence, Qoheleth uses the terms and categories of traditional wisdom to formulate his critique. As often stated in Wisdom literature, then, wisdom and righteousness, and conversely, wickedness and folly, are not separate abstractions. Rather, they are unified concepts; perhaps one is even a derivative of the other¹⁰.

        The argument is also made that the passage does not condone the golden mean because it warns against an excessive pretense to righteousness, rather than actual righteousness. It has been argued that the phrase hbrh qydc yht-l) is "elliptical" because it uses the 2mp imperfect of hyh with an adjectival form of qdc, rather than the 2mp imperfect of the root. In this light, "[Qoheleth’s] warning [is]...against self-righteousness and pretensions to wisdom"¹¹ only. Accordingly, if the warning was against actual righteousness, the statement qdct-l) would have been used, instead¹². Within Qoheleth, however, the terms qdc and (#$r never refer to one who acts in pretense. More