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"Elegant and clear in presentation, with masterful control of the history of interpretation, Bartholomew has made a significant contribution to Ecclesiastes studies. He handles all the critical issues with care and insight and has given us a readable and penetrating portrayal of this enigmatic witness. A new standard."--Christopher R. Seitz, professor of biblical interpretation, University of Toronto, Wycliffe College
"Bartholomew provides an exegetically accurate, theologically sensitive, and culturally relevant reading of the enigmatic Qoheleth. For Bartholomew, Ecclesiastes is neither a dusty museum piece confined to ancient history nor an alien treatise limited to a past religious era. Instead, by combining the best historical, linguistic, literary, canonical, theological, and hermeneutical perspectives on this text, Bartholomew treats Ecclesiastes as a dynamic text that speaks powerfully into the (post)modern context of church and culture."--Mark J. Boda, professor of Old Testament, McMaster Divinity College, McMaster University
"It is a rare commentary that is both readable and learned. Even rarer is one that immerses readers in the deep questions of life. Bartholomew's new book helps us to think our way through Ecclesiastes and its mazes. More than that, it confronts us anew with the mystery and responsibility of human existence before the face of God."--Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, professor of biblical studies, Eastern University
Series Preface 9
Author's Preface 13
Abbreviations 14
Introduction 17
I Frame Narrative: Prologue (1:1-11) 101
II Qohelet's Exploration of the Meaning of Life (1:12-12:7) 119
A Qohelet's Description of His Journey of Exploration (1:12-18) 121
B Testing Pleasure and the Good Life (2:1-11) 128
C The Problem of Death and One's Legacy (2:12-23) 138
D Eating, Drinking, and Enjoying One's Labor (2:24-26) 149
E The Mystery of Time (3:1-15) 158
F The Problem of Injustice and Death (3:16-22) 175
G Four Problems (4:1-16) 183
H Worship (5:1-7 [4:17-5:6]) 201
I Oppression and Profit (5:8-17 [7-16]) 214
J The Gift of God (5:18-20 [17-19]) 224
K Riches and Wealth Continued (6:1-12) 232
L Knowing What Is Good for One (7:1-13) 244
M Moderation in Wisdom and Folly (7:14-22) 253
N Qohelet's Reflection on His Journey and the Inaccessibility of Wisdom (7:23-29) 263
O The Enigma of Political Rule (8:1-9) 278
P The Problem of Delayed Judgment (8:10-17) 287
Q The Fate of Death and the Gift of Life (9:1-12) 296
R The Example of a City (9:13-18) 312
S Wisdom, Folly, and Rulers (10:1-20) 317
T Living with the Uncertainties of God's Providence (11:1-6) 334
U Rejoicing and Remembering (11:7-12:7) 339
III Frame Narrative: Epilogue (12:8-14) 359
Postscript: Postmodernism, Psychology, Spiritual Formation, and Preaching 375
Bibliography 391
Subject Index 421
Author Index 431
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Writings 439
Overview