Ecclesiastes Through the Centuries

Book excerpt: Ecclesiastes Through the Centuries “A rich tour down many significant streams of Western interpretation of this fascinating biblical book… Heartily recommended, without reservation.” Bible and Critical Theory “A fundamental resource on biblical interpretation, especially in the modern world, this book is a winner.” International Review of Biblical Studies “The introduction and commentary proper cover many topics, from patristic and rabbinic exegesis through to modern science-fiction, with numerous stops on the way… Very well written and accessible…an excellent book.” Society for Old Testament Study Book List Over the centuries, Ecclesiastes has influenced numerous aspects of life and thought. Ecclesiastes Through the Centuries assesses the diverse effects of the book on culture in religion, art, and social contexts. Ecclesiastes shaped the life of European abbeys of the middle ages. For Renaissance thinkers, it provided a sceptical line of inquiry weighted with the disquieting authority of Scripture. It has inspired the imaginations of artists, musicians, and poets from the Renaissance to the present day. The influence of Ecclesiastes on literature has engaged authors as diverse as Bacon, Donne, Eliot, Hardy, Melville, and numerous Elizabethan poets. This commentary traces these influences as well as the fascinating range of Jewish and Christian readings. The result is an informative and broad-ranging approach to the impact of this book through the centuries that will engage all those studying the Bible. For further information about the Blackwell Bible Commentaries please visit www.bbibcomm.net.