Qohelet 1,4 and the structure of the book's prologue

This article discusses the meaning of Koh 1,4 and its implications for the structure and meaning of the prologue of the book. It is argued that modern interpretations of Koh 1,4 have failed to understand the connection between the two statements generation goes, generation comesand the earth remains forever. Consequently, the overall structure of the prologue was misunderstood. The article points alternatively to a hitherto unnoticed Medieval Jewish interpretive tradition, which sheds new light on the connection between the succession of generations and the permanence of earth. Accordingly, a fresh reading of Qohelet's prologue is suggested, which stresses its poetic symmetry and integrity.