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Document Details : Title: The Doctrine of the Golden Mean in Qoh 7,15-18 Subtitle: A Universal Human Pursuit Author(s): CHOI, John H. Journal: Biblica Volume: 83 Issue: 3 Date: 2002 Pages: 358-374 DOI: 10.2143/BIB.83.3.3200313 Abstract : 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. |
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