Chapter 35 Study Questions Flashcards

Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

1
Q

What does the word Ecclesiastes mean?

A

Preacher

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the purpose of Ecclesiastes?

A

To convince men the uselessness of any world view that does not rise above man himself

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the theme of Ecclesiastes?

A

Vanity of vanities, and man’s reasoning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does Ecclesiastes caution about the pursuit of happiness?

A

It cannot be attained because it involves the foolish pursuit of self-edification.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does Ecclesiastes teach about having a meaningful life?

A

The meaningful life is the one which is lived in God’s service.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Based on internal evidence, who is the author of Ecclesiastes? What is particularly telling?

A

Solomon. He calls himself king and son of David in verse 1.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Liberal critics who attribute the authorship of Ecclesiastes to someone after the exile see Solomon as what kind of figure?

A

An artistic device designed to present the message of the late author. Solomon was known for indulging in earthy pleasures over living entirely devoted to God.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What argument from Scripture do critics raise against Solomon’s authorship? Refute it.

A

Verse 1:16 says Solomon was more wise than all before him in Jerusalem, but there was only one other king in Jerusalem - David. However, the text does not specify kings, but rather all wise men.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the most significant evidence liberal scholars have found supporting late authorship of Ecclesiastes?

A

Ecclesiastes is linguistically different from all other books in the Old Testament.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What other Biblical text gives evidence that Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon? Why?

A

Song of Solomon (Song of Songs). Both have the same stylistic peculiarity, indicating the same author.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is L. Wouge’s theory, in support of late composition, concerning the style peculiarity of Ecclesiastes?

A

Solomon’s original Hebrew text was too old and hard to understand for later generations of Jews, so it was updated.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the weakness of L. Wouge’s theory that Ecclesiastes was published in more common Hebrew?

A

The Hebrew of Ecclesiastes cannot be clearly identified as post-exilic.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the Qohelet?

A

The Hebrew name for Ecclesiastes, meaning “preacher” or “the preacher’s office”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Apart from linguistic considerations, what is another issue critics raise as an objection to Solomonic authorship of Ecclesiastes?

A

The author seems to present as a third party observer, rather than the king himself.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

From what standpoint is Ecclesiastes written, refuting the argument of a third party writer?

A

Solomon was writing as a philosophical observer of political and social life rather than as a partisan of royalty.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the Hebrew translation for the Song of Solomon?

A

“Song of Songs”, or the “Best of Songs”

17
Q

What is the Latin name for Song of Solomon?

A

Canticles

18
Q

When was Song of Solomon written?

A

965 B.C.

19
Q

What is the theme of Song of Solomon?

A

The love between Solomon and his Shulamite bride, typifying the personal relationship God desires with His spiritual bride (the church)

20
Q

What attributes authorship of Song of Songs to Solomon?

A

The first verse of the book

21
Q

Despite the textual evidence, what do liberal critics say about the authorship of Song of Solomon?

A

Based on linguistic grounds, they deny Solomonic authorship and assign composition to a period later than 10th century B.C.

22
Q

What are two positive evidences that Solomon wrote Song of Solomon?

A
  1. The author shows interest in natural history, corresponding to the historical record of Solomon’s vast knowledge in this field (1 Kings 4:33).
  2. The author mentions geographical locations in the Northern and Southern kingdoms as part of the same political realm, favoring a date prior to 930 B.C.
23
Q

Why was Song of Solomon considered one of the five Antilegomena?

A

It was erotic and seemed to lack religious value.

24
Q

What is the allegorical interpretation of Song of Solomon?

A

Solomon was identified with Jehovah or Christ, and the Shulamite was identified with Israel. A spiritual counterpart is required for every physical detail, which should be objectionable when you consider comparing Solomon’s lifestyle with Jesus Christ.

25
Q

What is the literal interpretation of Song of Solomon?

A

The book is nothing more than a secular love song, serving to demonstrate proper martial love versus polygamous perversions. Solomon’s lifestyle and his harem do not support this, but maybe for a short period he was faithful and learned true love.

26
Q

What is the typical interpretation of Song of Solomon?

A

The author intends the couple to typify Jehovah’s love for His people, and foreshadow Christ’s relationship with His Church. Unlike the allegorical view, each detail is not required to have a spiritual counterpart.

27
Q

Concerning Song of Solomon, what is the Shepherd Hypothesis?

A

A second male character (a country shepherd) is the true suitor of the Shulamite rather than Solomon who would be less faithful. Certain passages would be the shepherd speaking while others would be Solomon, but there is no obvious break in the text to indicate different characters.