Wisdom Literature
Wisdom Literature
Exegesis Paper
“Two are better than one” An Exegesis of Qoheleth 4: 1-12
Introduction
Two people may be able to solve a problem that an individual cannot. This line is very famous when somebody says, ‘two heads are better than one’. But what does it mean when we say, ‘two are better than one? This paper attempts to look at the meanings and implications of this particular chapter of the book of Qoheleth. We will try to find out in this inquiry the meaning of synergism to describe the effect of two or more people working together to produce a greater result than the same people work independently. This paper also attempts to present as God Himself declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18) in relation to the focus of our inquiry in verses 9-12. God advocates companionship over solo lives.
Literary Structure The fourth chapter of Qoheleth confronts four major problems in everyday life “under the sun”: the existence of unrelieved oppression (vv. 1–3), unsatisfied jealousy (vv. 4–6), unmitigated loneliness (vv. 7–12), and the uncertainty of political power and popularity (vv. 13–16). The numeral “two” plays a major role in this chapter, occurring eight times (vv. 3, 6—dual form, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15)—translated sometimes as “both,” “dependent,” “another,” and “second.” Along with “two,” “one” occurs five times (vv. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) and is implied at least once (v. 6, “one hand”) and “three” makes its appearance once (v. 12). Numbers appear prominently in Qoheleth’s work.
This chapter falls into Qoheleth’s part of description on investigating human’s life with these common sayings, “vanity of vanities” and/or “a chasing after wind”. This chapter is also composed of ‘better than’ sayings, a kind of literary formulation. This is evident when the arrogant ones keep climbing the ladder, but no matter how high they climb, there are always people higher up than they, who look down on them.
Exegesis Paper
“Two are better than one” An Exegesis of Qoheleth 4: 1-12
Introduction
Two people may be able to solve a problem that an individual cannot. This line is very famous when somebody says, ‘two heads are better than one’. But what does it mean when we say, ‘two are better than one? This paper attempts to look at the meanings and implications of this particular chapter of the book of Qoheleth. We will try to find out in this inquiry the meaning of synergism to describe the effect of two or more people working together to produce a greater result than the same people work independently. This paper also attempts to present as God Himself declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen 2:18) in relation to the focus of our inquiry in verses 9-12. God advocates companionship over solo lives.
Literary Structure The fourth chapter of Qoheleth confronts four major problems in everyday life “under the sun”: the existence of unrelieved oppression (vv. 1–3), unsatisfied jealousy (vv. 4–6), unmitigated loneliness (vv. 7–12), and the uncertainty of political power and popularity (vv. 13–16). The numeral “two” plays a major role in this chapter, occurring eight times (vv. 3, 6—dual form, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15)—translated sometimes as “both,” “dependent,” “another,” and “second.” Along with “two,” “one” occurs five times (vv. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) and is implied at least once (v. 6, “one hand”) and “three” makes its appearance once (v. 12). Numbers appear prominently in Qoheleth’s work.
This chapter falls into Qoheleth’s part of description on investigating human’s life with these common sayings, “vanity of vanities” and/or “a chasing after wind”. This chapter is also composed of ‘better than’ sayings, a kind of literary formulation. This is evident when the arrogant ones keep climbing the ladder, but no matter how high they climb, there are always people higher up than they, who look down on them.