Qoheleth Versus a Later Editor: The Origin and Function of Eschatological Elements in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

This essay investigates the origin and function of the eschatological elements in Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 in comparison with Qoheleth's concepts of death, judgment, and fear of God attested in other parts of the book, and suggests that some eschatological elements in the passage originated from a later editor. The original work of Qoheleth may well have ended with the final exhortation for enjoyment in the prime of life (11:8a, 9a-b, 10a) followed by the descriptions of old age and possibly death, too; traces of these descriptions are found in 12:1-7. Qoheleth may have included these materials to reveal that there is a time, namely during youth, for enjoyment too. Although the later editor disagreed with Qoheleth's positive attitude to mirth, he need not have expunged all the relevant references. The editor simply appended a reminder of divine judgment in 11:8b, 9c, and 10b as a counterargument to each of Qoheleth's final calls of carpe diem. In addition, in order to deliver his own message more effectively, the editor reworked Qoheleth's materials with eschatological elements, thereby putting a different spin on the original message. As a result, 12:1-8 has come to his aid by intimidating and reminding people of the imminent divine judgment, since the Day of Judgment is near, you should fear God and keep his commandments to survive.