Overview

"Ecclesiastes is a persuasive speech with a rhetoric so unique that it can be easily misunderstood. It speaks powerfully to believers as well as nonbelievers because it addresses the question of the meaning of life in the most satisfying way. The heart of this book is an expositional commentary that interprets Ecclesiastes as authoritative Scripture. It seeks to recover the rhetoric of the speech in terms of its comprehensive message on the meaning of life as well as its compelling force to get the message across. Preceding the expositional commentary is an introduction to Ecclesiastes that presents a new approach to outlining and reading Ecclesiastes as a coherent speech. It also presents an overview of the """"forest""""--the overall rhetorical flow of the speech from beginning to end. This is to prevent one from getting lost when immersed in the """"trees"""" of the expositional commentary. Following the expositional commentary are two topical studies to give Ecclesiastes the breadth and depth of coverage it deserves. The first is an interdisciplinary exposition on the meaning of life. The second is an interpretive essay to defend exegetically the interpretation of Ecclesiastes as a coherent speech."

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Ecclesiastes continues to intrigue and confound readers. It is surprisingly contemporary in tone, and yet its relevance for Christian theology is elusive. T. F. Leong addresses this problem in this carefully researched commentary. He has provided readers with a readable analysis that will provide guidance in appreciating Qoheleth's theological relevance and canonical authority. --Duane A. Garrett, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary In contrast to so many scholars who have concluded the author of Ecclesiastes writes as a pessimist, Leong's treatment correctly shows that the author's view of life is neither pessimistic nor overly optimistic. Rather, since human wisdom alone is insufficient for putting it all together, especially in light of life's uncertainties and seeming contradictions, the biblical author points us to biblical wisdom by which one will find life meaningful and avoid more difficulties. I enthusiastically commend this work. --J. Paul Tanner, The Arab Center for Biblical Studies Ecclesiastes is a notoriously difficult book to understand, as evidenced by the plethora of scholarly interpretations. Yet we need to understand it because Qoheleth speaks an important word to us today. As a seasoned scholar, Leong is a sure guide through the interpretive difficulties of this book. His logic and common sense, his realistic reading, and his penetrating insights will be much appreciated by all readers. --Peter H. W. Lau, Malaysia Theological Seminary

Ecclesiastes continues to intrigue and confound readers. It is surprisingly contemporary in tone, and yet its relevance for Christian theology is elusive. T. F. Leong addresses this problem in this carefully researched commentary. He has provided readers with a readable analysis that will provide guidance in appreciating Qoheleth's theological relevance and canonical authority. --Duane A. Garrett, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary In contrast to so many scholars who have concluded the author of Ecclesiastes writes as a pessimist, Leong's treatment correctly shows that the author's view of life is neither pessimistic nor overly optimistic. Rather, since human wisdom alone is insufficient for putting it all together, especially in light of life's uncertainties and seeming contradictions, the biblical author points us to biblical wisdom by which one will find life meaningful and avoid more difficulties. I enthusiastically commend this work. --J. Paul Tanner, The Arab Center for Biblical Studies Ecclesiastes is a notoriously difficult book to understand, as evidenced by the plethora of scholarly interpretations. Yet we need to understand it because Qoheleth speaks an important word to us today. As a seasoned scholar, Leong is a sure guide through the interpretive difficulties of this book. His logic and common sense, his realistic reading, and his penetrating insights will be much appreciated by all readers. --Peter H. W. Lau, Malaysia Theological Seminary

"""Ecclesiastes continues to intrigue and confound readers. It is surprisingly contemporary in tone, and yet its relevance for Christian theology is elusive. T. F. Leong addresses this problem in this carefully researched commentary. He has provided readers with a readable analysis that will provide guidance in appreciating Qoheleth's theological relevance and canonical authority."" --Duane A. Garrett, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ""In contrast to so many scholars who have concluded the author of Ecclesiastes writes as a pessimist, Leong's treatment correctly shows that the author's view of life is neither pessimistic nor overly optimistic. Rather, since human wisdom alone is insufficient for putting it all together, especially in light of life's uncertainties and seeming contradictions, the biblical author points us to biblical wisdom by which one will find life meaningful and avoid more difficulties. I enthusiastically commend this work."" --J. Paul Tanner, The Arab Center for Biblical Studies ""Ecclesiastes is a notoriously difficult book to understand, as evidenced by the plethora of scholarly interpretations. Yet we need to understand it because Qoheleth speaks an important word to us today. As a seasoned scholar, Leong is a sure guide through the interpretive difficulties of this book. His logic and common sense, his realistic reading, and his penetrating insights will be much appreciated by all readers."" --Peter H. W. Lau, Malaysia Theological Seminary"

Author Information

T. F. Leong used to teach Hebrew and Old Testament studies at the East Asia School of Theology in Singapore. He has been studying the relevance of the Old Testament to the church and the world for more than twenty-five years. He has an MA in Old Testament studies from Wheaton College and a PhD in near Eastern languages and cultures from University of California, Los Angeles.

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