Incluye referencias bibliográficas e índice.

1. Introduction -- a. The problem: Three approaches to Hebel in Ecclesiastes -- Abstract sense -- Multiple sense -- Single metaphor -- Conclusion -- b. Statement of thesis -- c. Congruity with Qohelet's use of language overall -- d. Congruity with other Israelite literature -- e. Other preliminary issues -- Genre -- Structure -- Additional matters -- f. Chapter conclusion

2. Metaphor and symbol -- a. Rhetorical criticism -- b. Metaphor -- Definition -- Status of author and audience -- Comparison and interaction theories -- The cognitive content of metaphor -- Authorial clues -- Stock metaphors -- Interpretive steps -- c. Symbol -- Definition -- Literary symbols -- Process of interpretation -- d. Speech-types in Ecclesiastes -- Statements of report -- Statements of inference -- Statements of judgment -- Injunctions -- e. Chapter conclusion

3. Material and metaphorical uses of Hebel -- a. The material sense of Hebel -- Postbiblical texts -- The Hebrew Bible -- Other considerations -- Summary of Hebel's material sense -- b. The metaphoric sense of Hebel -- Hebrew Bible metaphor texts -- Postbiblical metaphor texts -- c. Chapter summary and conclusions -- The material sense of Hebel -- The metaphoric senses of Hebel

4. Hebel as symbol in Ecclesiastes -- a. Three qualities of Hebel in Ecclesiastes -- Determining the subject of Hebel -- Insubstantiality referents -- Transience referents -- Foulness referents -- b. Qohelet's use of Hebel -- 1:2-11(5x) Preface: restless activity -- 1:12-2:26(9x) Royal pursuits -- 3:1-22(1x) God's relation to time and eternity -- 4:1-16(4x) Toil in the midst of oppression -- 4:17-5:6(1x) Relations with God -- 5:7-6:9(4x) Enjoyment instead of greed -- 6:10-7:14(3x) No one knows what is good -- 7:15-29(1x) Wisdom and righteousness -- 8:1-17(3x) Even the wise do not know -- 9:1-10(3x?) Enjoy life now -- 11:7-12:8(5x) Conclusion: Youth and old age -- c. Chapter summary and conclusions -- Qohelet's use of Hebel -- Qohelet's program -- Indicators that Hebel is a tensive symbol -- Description and evaluation -- Incorporating the insights of other approaches

5. Implications -- a. The integrity of Ecclesiastes -- Three areas of tension -- Previous proposals for resolution -- Position of the present study -- b. The rhetoric of Ecclesiastes -- Occasion of the work -- A three-fold rhetorical strategy -- The place of Hebel in Qohelet's rhetoric -- The nature of Qohelet's writing -- c. Ecclesiastes and the wisdom tradition -- Qohelet as critic of wisdom -- Qohelet as sage -- Critique of wisdom elsewhere in the tradition -- d. Chapter conclusion

Appendix I: Hebel texts in Ecclesiastes -- Appendix II: Hebel texts apart from Ecclesiastes.