A Time to Tear Down and a Time to Build Up: A Rereading of Ecclesiastes
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
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.
- Confronts the problems that have confounded interpretation of Ecclesiastes.
- Explains how the author of Ecclesiastes shapes a bold, honest-and ultimately uplifting-vision of life.
- Provides some of the best commentary available on this challenging section of Scripture.
- Preface: On Rereading Qohelet
- Abbreviations
- Transliteration and Sigla
- 1. On Reading Contradictions
- 2. Hebel and Re’ut Ruah
- 3. Justice
- 4. What Is Wisdom?
- 5. Is Wisdom Foolish?
- 6. Deed and Event
- 7. The Best Things in Life
- 8. Toil and Pleasure
- 9. The End of the Matter
- 10. Commentary: Introduction
- 11. Commentary
- Bibliography
- Subject Index
- Author Index
- Scripture Index
- Index of Hellenistic and Rabbinic Texts
- Index of Ancient Texts
- Index of Hebrew Words
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