Qohelet again openly disputes the wisdom tradition: verse 15 contradicts Deut 4:40; verses 16ff ironically advise not to take life too seriously—perhaps influenced by the Hellenistic concept of the “golden mean.” Verses 23ff affirm that wisdom is beyond reach, as in Job 28:1-27. But ultimately, his primary focus remains, as in classical wisdom, on being wise—verse 19 compares wisdom and the wise man with power, in what appears to be a quote from Prov 24:5-.
The view of reality and experience is always the main focus of Ecclesiastes’ reflection, even when it goes against what has long been thought or passed down as true. This is where his critique comes from, driven by his genuine desire to find true wisdom.(Also 7:19-24)