Ecclesiastes

by Bartholomew, Craig G.

• ISBN13: 9780801026911
• ISBN10: 0801026911
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-06-01
• Publisher: Baker Academic

Summary

Respected Old Testament scholar Craig Bartholomew, coauthor of the well-received Drama of Scripture, provides a careful exegetical reading of Ecclesiastes in this latest addition to the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series. Along with helpful translation and commentary, Ecclesiastes considers the theological implications of the text and its literary, historical, and grammatical dimensions. Footnotes deal with many of the technical matters, allowing readers of varying levels of interest and training to read and profit from the commentary and to engage the biblical text at an appropriate level. Pastors, teachers, and all serious students of the Bible will find here an accessible commentary that will serve as an excellent resource for their study.

Author Biography

Craig G. Bartholomew (PhD, Bristol University) is the H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy and professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. He is also a priest in the Church of England and coauthor of The Drama of Scripture and Living at the Crossroads.

Table of Contents

Series Preface	p. 9
Author's Preface	p. 13
Abbreviations	p. 14
Introduction	p. 17
Frame Narrative: Prologue (1:1-11)	p. 101
Qohelet's Exploration of the Meaning of Life (1:12-12:7)	p. 119
Qohelet's Description of His Journey of Exploration (1:12-18)	p. 121
Testing Pleasure and the Good Life (2:1-11)	p. 128
The Problem of Death and One's Legacy (2:12-23)	p. 138
Eating, Drinking, and Enjoying One's Labor (2:24-26)	p. 149
The Mystery of Time (3:1-15)	p. 158
The Problem of Injustice and Death (3:16-22)	p. 175
Four Problems (4:1-16)	p. 183
Worship (5:1-7 [4:17-5:6])	p. 201
Oppression and Profit (5:8-17 [7-16])	p. 214
The Gift of God (5:18-20 [17-19])	p. 224
Riches and Wealth Continued (6:1-12)	p. 232
Knowing What Is Good for One (7:1-13)	p. 244
Moderation in Wisdom and Folly (7:14-22)	p. 253
Qohelet's Reflection on His Journey and the Inaccessibility of Wisdom (7:23-29)	p. 263
The Enigma of Political Rule (8:1-9)	p. 278
The Problem of Delayed Judgment (8:10-17)	p. 287
The Fate of Death and the Gift of Life (9:1-12)	p. 296
The Example of a City (9:13-18)	p. 312
Wisdom, Folly, and Rulers (10:1-20)	p. 317
Living with the Uncertainties of God's Providence (11:1-6)	p. 334
Rejoicing and Remembering (11:7-12:7)	p. 339
Frame Narrative: Epilogue (12:8-14)	p. 359
Postscript: Postmodernism, Psychology, Spiritual Formation, and Preaching	p. 375
Bibliography	p. 391
Subject Index	p. 421
Author Index	p. 431
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings	p. 439
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