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.
About the Author :
Tremper Longman III is a distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Westmont College. He has served as a senior translator for the New Living Translation and has also authored more than thirty-five books, including commentaries on Genesis, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Daniel, Nahum, and Revelation. His most recent books include Confronting Old Testament Controversies, The Bible and the Ballot, Revelation through Old Testament Eyes, and The Old Testament as Literature.
Review :
Journal of Biblical Literature
"Tremper Longman's commentary on Ecclesiastes is a welcome addition to the NICOT series and a solid contribution to the elusive field of wisdom in ancient Israel. Longman exhibits his literary and theological sensitivities in a very accessible style." Vox Reformata
"An indispensable resource for those wishing to understand the intricacies of the original text of Ecclesiastes."
Bibliotheca Sacra
"An outstanding contribution to studies on Ecclesiastes."
Hebrew Studies
"On the whole, Longman has provided an up-to-date, conversant and provocative commentary on the ever-difficult words of Qohelet."
The Bible Today
"Scholars and serious students of the Bible will find this an important resource."
Daniel I. Block
"This commentary goes a long way in solving the riddle that is the book of Ecclesiastes. . . Will be highly treasured by those who have opportunity to teach and preach the message of Ecclesiastes."
Richard Schultz
"Longman offers a provocative genre- and structure-based explanation for the divergent perspectives expressed within the book of Ecclesiastes. His thorough exposition of Qohelet's 'meaningless' search for meaning and of the canonical book's final critique of skepticism ultimately points readers toward Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection have restored meaning to life 'under the sun."
