The Book of Ecclesiastes

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Bible & Bible Studies, Old Testament, Criticism & Interpretation
Cover of the book The Book of Ecclesiastes by Tremper Longman III, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tremper Longman III ISBN: 9781467423007
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Publication: November 7, 1997
Imprint: Eerdmans Language: English
Author: Tremper Longman III
ISBN: 9781467423007
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Publication: November 7, 1997
Imprint: Eerdmans
Language: English

Ecclesiastes is one of the most fascinating -- and hauntingly familiar -- books of the Old Testament. The sentiments of the main speaker of the book, a person given the name Qohelet, sound incredibly modern. Expressing the uncertainty and anxieties of our own age, he is driven by the question, "Where can we find meaning in the world?"

But while Qohelet's question resonates with readers today, his answer is shocking. "Meaningless," says Qohelet, "everything is meaningless." How does this pessimistic perspective fit into the rest of biblical revelation? In this commentary Tremper Longman III addresses this question by taking a canonical-Christocentric approach to the meaning of Ecclesiastes.

Longman first provides an extensive introduction to Ecclesiastes, exploring such background matters as authorship, language, genre, structure, literary style, and the book's theological message. He argues that the author of Ecclesiastes is not Solomon, as has been traditionally thought, but a writer who adopts a Solomonic persona. In the verse-by-verse commentary that follows, Longman helps clarify the confusing, sometimes contradictory message of Ecclesiastes by showing that the book should be divided into three sections -- a prologue (1:1-11), Qohelet's autobiographical speech (1:12-12:7), and an epilogue (12:8-14) -- and that the frame narrative provided by prologue and epilogue is the key to understanding the message of the book as a whole.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Ecclesiastes is one of the most fascinating -- and hauntingly familiar -- books of the Old Testament. The sentiments of the main speaker of the book, a person given the name Qohelet, sound incredibly modern. Expressing the uncertainty and anxieties of our own age, he is driven by the question, "Where can we find meaning in the world?"

But while Qohelet's question resonates with readers today, his answer is shocking. "Meaningless," says Qohelet, "everything is meaningless." How does this pessimistic perspective fit into the rest of biblical revelation? In this commentary Tremper Longman III addresses this question by taking a canonical-Christocentric approach to the meaning of Ecclesiastes.

Longman first provides an extensive introduction to Ecclesiastes, exploring such background matters as authorship, language, genre, structure, literary style, and the book's theological message. He argues that the author of Ecclesiastes is not Solomon, as has been traditionally thought, but a writer who adopts a Solomonic persona. In the verse-by-verse commentary that follows, Longman helps clarify the confusing, sometimes contradictory message of Ecclesiastes by showing that the book should be divided into three sections -- a prologue (1:1-11), Qohelet's autobiographical speech (1:12-12:7), and an epilogue (12:8-14) -- and that the frame narrative provided by prologue and epilogue is the key to understanding the message of the book as a whole.

More books from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Cover of the book On Earth as It Is in Heaven by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book After Vatican II by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Knowing Our Faith by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Basic Introduction to the New Testament by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book John by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Worship and Culture by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Political Agape by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Job by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book On Moral Business by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Emblem of Faith Untouched by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book The Analogical Turn by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book The Book of Isaiah by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit by Tremper Longman III
Cover of the book Divine Honours for the Caesars by Tremper Longman III
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy