The Gilgamesh epic and the book of Qohelet: A new look

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Abstract

This paper re-examines the relation between the Gilgamesh tradition and Qohelet. It presents formerly recognized analogies between the two texts, along with a newly identified parallel. Analysis of the data indicates that Gilgamesh is the only currently known ancient text that can be considered a direct literary source of Qohelet. The paper then discusses the nature of the Gilgamesh epic used by Qohelet's author. It shows that this version is not identical with any Gilgamesh recension known to us. Consequently, an attempt is made to describe this unique Gilgamesh version, and to locate it within Qohelet's historical and intellectual context.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375-390
Number of pages16
JournalBiblica
Volume96
Issue number3
StatePublished - 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Religious studies

RAMBI publications

  • rambi
  • Assyro-Babylonian literature -- Relation to the Bible
  • Bible -- Ecclesiastes -- Comparative studies
  • Bible -- Ecclesiastes -- Criticism, interpretation, etc
  • Bible -- Ecclesiastes -- Sources
  • Gilgamesh -- Criticism, interpretation, etc

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