'Vanity of vanities', says the Preacher, 'Vanity of vanities! All is vanity'.
Is that what life is? A wisp of vapour, a puff of wind, a mere breath - nothing you can get your hands on - the nearest thing to zero? So says the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. But is this the whole message of Ecclesiastes?
With imagination and clarity Derek Kidner introduces this Old Testament book which speaks so powerfully to our generation. His love of Hebrew poetry and his understanding of the biblical mind shine through in his careful passage-by-passage exposition.
The Bible Speaks Today series covers every book of the Old and New Testaments, as well as Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture. These revised editions are updated with contemporary language and Bible translations to help you to follow and to teach the Bible in today's world.
By:
Derek Kidner
Imprint: Inter-Varsity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 216mm,
Width: 138mm,
ISBN: 9781789744385
ISBN 10: 1789744385
Series: The Bible Speaks Today Old Testament
Pages: 112
Publication Date: 20 April 2023
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
A / AS level
,
Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Contents General preface vii Author's preface ix Chief abbreviations x A. What is this book doing in the Bible? - a reconnaissance 1 B. What is the book saying? - a running commentary 9 1. The author, the motto and a survey of the scene (1:1-11) 9 2. The search for satisfaction (1:12 - 2:26) 15 3. The tyranny of time (3:1-15) 22 4. The harshness of life (3:16 - 4:3) 25 5. The rat race (4:4-8) 28 A first summary: 6. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 1:1 - 4:8 30 Interlude: 7. Some reflections, maxims and home truths (4:9 - 5:12) 32 8. The bitterness of disappointment (5:13 - 6:12) 38 A second summary: 9. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 6:12 43 Interlude: 10. More reflections, maxims and home truths (7:1-22) 44 11. The search goes on (7:23-29) 49 12. Frustration (8:1-17) 52 13. Jeopardy (9:1-18) 56A third summary: 14. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 7:1 - 9:18 61 Interlude: 15. Be sensible! (10:1-20) 63 16. Towards home (11:1-12:8) 70 17. Conclusion (12:9-14) 78 C. What are we to say to this? - an epilogue 81
Derek Kidner (M.A., A.R.C.M.) was formerly warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He wrote several volumes in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.
