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.

Aramaisms that are representative of the economic vocabulary of the Persian period⁷⁰, and the complete absence of Grecisms, in the form of either loan-words or phrasal idioms that were often held to be of Greek origin⁷¹ support this thesis. Further, the language of the text is characteristic of late Biblical Hebrew, not Late Hebrew, undermining the argument that it represents Mishnaic or Rabbinic stylings⁷². On this basis, a date between the second half of the 5^th century and the first half of the 4^th century is suggested⁷³. A counter proposal has been offered, though, which focuses on the use of an Aramaic root +l#$. It has been demonstrated that the specific use of this root in Qoheleth is not limited to the Persian era, but is present in the Hellenistic era, as well⁷⁴, so that "the debate on the date of the Book of Ecclesiastes cannot be considered closed"⁷⁵. There is still much linguistic evidence, however, that seems to favor a Persian dating. Though this may not be enough to close the debate over the date of Qoheleth, it does strongly suggest that a Hellenistic dating for Qoheleth be approached with some reservation.

IV. The Golden Mean in Other Literature

        Finally, the presence of unique and independent presentations of the golden mean precludes a solely Greek origin for that doctrine. There are at least two distinct Near Eastern works that reflect an idea of moderation. The Proverbs of Ahiqar, a distinctly Semitic ⁷⁶ work dating to the 7^th or 6^th century BCE ⁷⁷ includes a proverbial section which reads: