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.

of life and the ineffectiveness of traditional wisdom, so Theognis also sought to give a reckoning of the turbulent economical and social atmosphere of Megara, amidst the reversal of traditional values ⁴³.

        In addition to the golden mean, other thematic parallels between Qoheleth and Greek thought have been identified. The preference in the text for Myhl) over hwhy may emulate an evolution in Greek religion in which the concepts of deities were abandoned in favor of the non-committal concepts of fate⁴⁴. The "knowledge through observation" element of Qoheleth might also echo the intellectual process of Hellenism⁴⁵. Several traces of Epicurean thought have also been identified in Qoheleth. Specifically, Qoh 3,11 and 5,1 may reflect the Epicurean notion of the distant, self-sufficient deity; while Qoh 9,5 mirrors the Epicurean belief of the finality of death⁴⁶. Qoheleth’s cyclical view of life and its travails may also reflect the Stoic cyclical view of nature (1,1-11; 3,15a)⁴⁷. A tremendous range of thematic parallels has also been established by Rainer Braun, who draws conceptual links between Qoheleth and a significant variety of ancient Greek writers in virtually every genre⁴⁸.

III. Hellenization and its Impact on the Levant

        Because of general thematic parallels, as well as the specific parallels relating to the golden mean, between Qoheleth and Greek thought, the conventional wisdom is that Qoheleth is a product of the Hellenistic era⁴⁹. This conclusion is problematic, however, based on