A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up

Pervaded as it is with pessimism, paradox, and a multitude of contradictions, Ecclesiastes has long been one of the most difficult books of the Bible to understand. As this study demonstrates, however, it is precisely these contradictions that make Ecclesiastes so meaningful and so powerfully relevant to life in the world. By looking carefully at the language and thought of Ecclesiastes, as well as at its uses of contradictions in probing the meaning of life, Fox confronts the problems that have confounded interpretation of this biblical book. He shows that by using contradiction to tear down holistic claims of meaning and purpose in the world and rebuilding meaning in a local, restricted sense instead, the author of Ecclesiastes shapes a bold, honest-and ultimately uplifting-vision of life. Based on solid scholarly insight yet readable by all, Fox's work provides some of the best commentary available on this challenging section of Scripture.

About the Author :
Michael V. Fox is the Weinstein-Bascom Professor in Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His other books include The Song of Songs and the Ancient Egyptian Love Songs and His Contradictions.

Review :
""A sparkling study. . . . Fox's rereading of Qoheleth is priceless."" -- Roland E. Murphy ""Michael Fox's new book is a rare sort of close reading and reflection on a classic text. His insistence on maintaining both sides of Qohelet's dialectic of 'Yes' and 'No' is a great aid to all lovers of this profound book. With Camus at his side, Fox uses the text to examine the question of meaning in the light (or dark) of injustice, folly, calamity, and death. In his rereading, Ecclesiastes dismantles the proud towers of human certainty, only to rebuild on humbler, more local ground."" -- Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, Eastern College ""Fox's sustained engagement with Ecclesiastes in the context of ancient wisdom, on which he is a significant interpreter, has enabled him to write a brilliant analysis of Qoheleth's thought and a valuable commentary that no specialist in this area dare ignore. This book will occupy a prominent place on my desk."" -- James L. Crenshaw, Duke University ""Already established as one of the foremost interpreters of Hebrew wisdom literature, Fox presents a powerfully persuasive reading of the book of Ecclesiastes. Though enigmatic, Ecclesiastes, with its focus on life's 'absurdities, ' is certainly one of the most relevant of the ancient writings of the Hebrew Bible. I recommend Fox's work for all serious Bible readers."" -- Tremper Longman III, Westmont College ""This book is a masterpiece of (post)modern interpretation of an ancient literary work."" -- Johann Cook, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa ""Eminently readable and insightful. Fox has considerably clarified and strengthened the influential theses set forth in his other writings with characteristic erudition and wit. This will be an indispensable book for anyone who is interested in the interpretation of Ecclesiastes."" -- Choon-Leong Seow, Princeton Theology Seminary