__'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.

Derek Kidner explores The Message of Ecclesiastes, part of the updated Bible Speaks Today series of Bible commentaries.

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

General preface

Author’s preface

Chief abbreviations

A. What is this book doing in the Bible?

– a reconnaissance

B. What is the book saying?

– a running commentary

Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

1. The author, the motto and a survey of the scene

Ecclesiastes 1:12 – 2:26

2. The search for satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 3:1–15

3. The tyranny of time

Ecclesiastes 3:16 – 4:3

4. The harshness of life

Ecclesiastes 4:4–8

5. The rat race

A first summary

6. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 4:8

Interlude: Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 5:12

7. Some reflections, maxims and home truths

Ecclesiastes 5:13 – 6:12

8. The bitterness of disappointment

A second summary

9. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 4:9 – 6:12

Interlude: Ecclesiastes 7:1–22

10. More reflections, maxims and home truths

Ecclesiastes 7:23–29

11. The search goes on

Ecclesiastes 8:1–17

12. Frustration

Ecclesiastes 9:1–18

13. Jeopardy

A third summary

14. A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 7:1 – 9:18

Interlude: Ecclesiastes 10:1–20

15. Be sensible!

Ecclesiastes 11:1 – 12:8

16. Towards home

Ecclesiastes 12:9–14

17. Conclusion

C. What are we to say to this?

– an epilogue

NIV Bible Speaks Today

Notes

The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament series

The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament series

The Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes series

'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.

The message of Ecclesiastes. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Derek Kidner introduces the reader to a book which speaks powerfully to our generation.

What is life about? In the end, does it all amount to a wisp of vapor, 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 biblical mind shine through in his careful passage-by-passage exposition. The full biblical text is included.

General Preface  
Author's Preface  
Chief Abbreviations

Part One: What is this book doing in the Bible?--a reconnaissance

Part Two: What is this book saying?--a running commentary  
\--The author, motto and a survey of the scene 1:1--11  
\--The search for satisfaction 1:12--2:26  
\--The tyranny of time 3:1--15  
\--the harshness of life 3:16--4:3  
\--the rat-race 4:4--8  
A first summary: A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 1:1--4:8  
Interlude: Some reflections, maxims and home truths 4:9--5:12  
\--the bitterness of disappointment 5:13--6:12  
A second summary: A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 4:9--6:12  
Interlude: Some reflections, maxims and home truths 7:1--22  
\--the search goes on 7:23--29  
\--frustration 8:1--17  
\--jeopardy 9:1--18  
A third summary: A backward glance over Ecclesiastes 7:1--9:18  
Interlude: Be sensible! 10:1--20  
\--towards home 11:1--12:8  
  
Part Three: What are we to say to this?--an epilogue

Looking at what life is all about, this exploration of the book of Ecclesiastes opens up the Bible's answers to great questions of existence.

\["Want a greater appreciation of Ecclesiastes?","This study opens up the Bible's answers to great questions of existence","You'll find new ways of seeing lasting truths in God's word"\]

\["For seekers of meaning and truth in Ecclesiastes.","Brings clarity to life's meaning, dispelling vanity.","Transforms perspectives, offering profound biblical insights."\]

Dive into Ecclesiastes with Derek Kidner's insightful guide, unraveling life's mysteries, and finding timeless truths in this engaging Bible Speaks Today edition.

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.

James Watson

Great

Message of Ecclesiastes

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