The Sacrifice of Fools (Qo 4,17 [9,2])

Abstract

Qo 4,17 mentions the “sacrifice of fools”, within a controversial passage
against worship (Qo 4,17-5,6). Qohelet, in a verse not devoid of textual difficulties,
does not criticize the sacrificial cult as such, but relativizes it; at the same time he
attacks the human pretension to manipulate God: this is the behavior of the ‘fools’
who, the Qohelet ironically notes, “do not even know they are acting badly”. To
the “sacrifice of fools” the Qohelet contrasts the attitude of listening and, in 5.6,
that of “fearing God”, that is, the recognition of one’s dependence on Him.