Ecclesiastes: Ancient Wisdom When All Else Fails : A New Translation & Interpretive Paraphrase

by T.M. Moore (Editor)

Recipient of a 2002 Christianity Today Award of Merit!"Meaningless!" says Ecclesiastes. "All is meaningless!"We live. We work. We die. Even with our best efforts to find lasting enjoyment and significance, we are faced with the conclusion that there is nothing new under the sun.Despite this gloomy assessment (or perhaps because of it), people have been drawn to the Middle Eastern wisdom of this enigmatic book for thousands of years. Its brutal honesty doesn't flinch from life's difficulties or its thorniest problems.The new translation and interpretive paraphrase provided here by T. M. Moore artfully unveils the ancient mysteries of this often puzzling book. By its very cynicism, Ecclesiastes seems to suggest that to find what is of enduring value we must embrace the hard things, not avoid them. With notes and a useful study guide, Moore skillfully shows us that the dark side will have its say. The question is, will it have the last word?

139 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2001

Reviews

[Hayley Oliverio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This translation and artistic rendition of Ecclesiastes, not only provides reader with a greater understanding of this seemingly cynical book of the Bible but it inspires creativity to flow from Scripture. Moore’s poetry style of using scripture to paraphrase the meaning into layman’s terms is done with such elegance and authenticity. With chapter titles like: hating life, full lives empty souls, and the blessing of common sense, it bring out the slightly sarcastic misunderstood wisdom found from Solomon. Ancient wisdom for when all else fails, as a way to avoid the “life sucks, then you die” mentality, yet it’s all meaningless under the sun.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book extensively when I taught on Ecclesiastes several years ago. An excellent resource.