Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

New American Bible Commentary, Old Testament Set #14

by Duane A. Garrett

THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole;* readable and applicable exposition.

Genres: Reference, Old Testament, Biblical Studies, Christian, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 1993

About the author

Duane A. Garrett is John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served on the faculty at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Bethel Seminary, Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, Mid-America Baptist Seminary, and Korea Baptist Seminary. He has authored numerous books, including Song of Songs in the Word Biblical Commentary, A Modern Grammar for Classical Hebrew, Angels and the New Spirituality, Authority and Interpretation, and Hosea and Joel in the New American Commentary. He is the general editor of The Archaeology Study Bible (Zondervan).

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s the pastor’s choice for the three challenging books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. In near 450 pages respected scholar Duane Garrett gives what most want: a succinct, weighty, and helpful commentary on these books that will likely be preached from less than many others.

Garrett begins with an Introduction on Proverbs. He starts with a general discussion of Wisdom in the Ancient Near East and transitions into Israelite Wisdom. He provides a lengthy section describing all the proverb classifications scholars have come up with. That subject is more interesting to scholars than pastors, but he explains it well. He also covers the varying opinions on structure. In discussing authorship and date, he wades through the varying conclusions to reach conservative conclusions.

The commentary is good, but he spends time defining classification of every proverb. My only criticism of this book is that the commentary on Proverbs needs to be about 25% longer if a revision is ever done.

Garrett does a fine Introduction on Ecclesiastes as well. Since so few scholars believe Solomon could have written it, he has a lot to wade through to reach conservative conclusions. This was my favorite Introduction of the three. He sees an evangelistic purpose to the book.

The commentary on Ecclesiastes is well done and especially enlightening.

He turns out another careful Introduction on the Song. I can’t agree with his conclusion that it’s only a discussion of human love, but he lays out the differing viewpoints well. The other introductory issues are laid out with equal thoroughness. Garrett went on to write a large, major exegetical commentary on the Song in WBC. The commentary here is once again quite helpful.

This book is the perfect volume for these three books for pastors or teachers. I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Vinhomes Golden]

Mặt Bằng Vinhomes Golden City Chi Tiết: Tối Ưu Hóa Công Năng Và Không Gian Sống

Trong một dự án bất động sản, mặt bằng không chỉ là bản vẽ kỹ thuật mà còn là yếu tố then chốt quyết định chất lượng và tiện nghi của không gian sống. Tại Vinhomes Golden City, mặt bằng được quy hoạch và thiết kế một cách chi tiết, tỉ mỉ, với mục tiêu tối ưu hóa công năng sử dụng và mang lại một cuộc sống trọn vẹn cho cư dân. Sự tinh tế trong từng đường nét, sự khoa học trong bố cục đã biến mặt bằng tại đây thành một minh chứng cho tầm nhìn và đẳng cấp của thương hiệu Vinhomes Golden City.

1. Mặt Bằng Tổng Thể: Sự Hài Hòa Giữa Thiên Nhiên Và Kiến Trúc
Mặt bằng tổng thể của Vinhomes Golden City là một bản thiết kế đầy cảm hứng, với sự hài hòa tuyệt đối giữa thiên nhiên và kiến trúc. Mật độ xây dựng thấp, nhường chỗ cho những mảng xanh rộng lớn, hồ điều hòa và các khu vực công cộng. Các tòa nhà cao tầng và khu biệt thự thấp tầng được bố trí một cách hợp lý, đảm bảo tầm nhìn thoáng đãng và không gian sống riêng tư cho cư dân.

xem thêm: Mặt Bằng Vinhomes Golden City Chi Tiết: Tối Ưu Hóa Công Năng Và Không Gian Sống

Các trục đường giao thông nội khu được quy hoạch thông minh, giúp việc di chuyển trở nên thuận tiện và nhanh chóng. Hệ thống tiện ích được phân bổ đều khắp dự án, từ trung tâm thương mại, trường học, bệnh viện đến các khu vui chơi, thể thao, đảm bảo mọi nhu cầu của cư dân đều được đáp ứng một cách tốt nhất. Mặt bằng tổng thể không chỉ mang lại vẻ đẹp thẩm mỹ mà còn tạo ra một hệ sinh thái sống hoàn chỉnh, nơi mọi người có thể sống, làm việc, học tập và giải trí ngay trong nội khu.

2. Mặt Bằng Căn Hộ Cao Cấp: Tối Ưu Hóa Từng Mét Vuông
Mặt bằng các căn hộ cao cấp tại Vinhomes Golden City là một ví dụ điển hình cho sự tối ưu hóa công năng. Mỗi căn hộ được thiết kế với nhiều loại diện tích và bố cục khác nhau, từ căn studio, 1 phòng ngủ đến 3 phòng ngủ, phù hợp với nhiều đối tượng khách hàng.

Thiết kế không gian mở: Các căn hộ được thiết kế theo không gian mở, kết nối phòng khách, phòng ăn và nhà bếp với nhau. Thiết kế này không chỉ tạo cảm giác rộng rãi mà còn giúp các thành viên trong gia đình dễ dàng tương tác với nhau.

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Tận dụng ánh sáng tự nhiên: Mặt bằng được bố trí hợp lý, với ban công lớn và cửa sổ kính tràn từ sàn đến trần, tận dụng tối đa ánh sáng tự nhiên. Điều này không chỉ giúp tiết kiệm năng lượng mà còn mang lại một không gian sống tươi sáng, tràn đầy năng lượng.

Công năng sử dụng hiệu quả: Từng phòng trong căn hộ đều được tính toán tỉ mỉ về diện tích và công năng sử dụng. Các phòng ngủ có diện tích vừa đủ, phòng tắm hiện đại, và các khu vực chức năng khác được sắp xếp khoa học, giúp cư dân có một cuộc sống tiện nghi và thoải mái.

3. Mặt Bằng Biệt Thự: Không Gian Sống Đẳng Cấp & Riêng Tư
Mặt bằng các căn biệt thự tại Vinhomes Golden City là một kiệt tác của sự tinh tế, thể hiện rõ nét sự đẳng cấp và riêng tư. Các căn biệt thự được bố trí tại những vị trí đẹp nhất của dự án, với tầm nhìn ra hồ điều hòa, sông hoặc công viên xanh. Mỗi căn biệt thự đều có sân vườn riêng, gara đỗ xe và lối đi riêng.

Đặc biệt, tại Phân khu Mặt trời, mặt bằng các căn biệt thự được thiết kế độc đáo, tối ưu hóa không gian sống và sự riêng tư. Các phòng chức năng được phân chia một cách hợp lý, với phòng khách rộng lớn, phòng ăn sang trọng, các phòng ngủ tiện nghi và phòng làm việc yên tĩnh. Thiết kế sân vườn và bể bơi riêng cũng được tính toán tỉ mỉ, mang đến một không gian nghỉ dưỡng thực thụ cho gia chủ.

4. Mặt Bằng Shophouse: Tối Ưu Hóa Kinh Doanh & Lợi Nhuận
Mặt bằng các căn shophouse tại Vinhomes Golden City được thiết kế để tối ưu hóa hiệu quả kinh doanh. Với mặt tiền rộng, vỉa hè thoáng đãng, các căn shophouse này có khả năng tiếp cận khách hàng lớn. Thiết kế hai tầng riêng biệt giúp chủ đầu tư có thể kết hợp vừa kinh doanh ở tầng dưới, vừa sinh hoạt ở tầng trên, tạo sự thuận tiện tối đa.

Không gian bên trong shophouse được thiết kế linh hoạt, có thể dễ dàng thay đổi để phù hợp với nhiều mô hình kinh doanh khác nhau, từ nhà hàng, quán cà phê đến cửa hàng thời trang. Mặt bằng chi tiết đã tính toán cả yếu tố phong thủy, đảm bảo một không gian kinh doanh thịnh vượng và phát triển.

Lời Kết
Mặt bằng Vinhomes Golden City không chỉ là một bản vẽ kỹ thuật mà còn là một minh chứng cho sự tỉ mỉ, tinh tế và tầm nhìn của chủ đầu tư. Từ mặt bằng tổng thể đến mặt bằng từng sản phẩm, mọi chi tiết đều được tối ưu hóa để mang lại một cuộc sống tiện nghi, thoải mái và đẳng cấp cho cư dân. Dù bạn lựa chọn căn hộ, biệt thự hay shophouse, bạn đều sẽ được tận hưởng một không gian sống hoàn hảo, xứng tầm với giá trị của một khu đô thị hàng đầu như Vinhomes Golden City.

[Michael Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality commentary series are tools in the bible scholar’s chest that will find repeated use over the course of their engagement with Scripture. The New American Commentary series from B&H Academic is rapidly becoming a favorite series of commentaries that I find myself using as a go to resource. Dr. Duane Garrett’s excellent volume in this series on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs is definitely no exception.

As is the standard fare for most worthwhile commentaries, Garrett provides the reader with valuable insight into Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Background information necessary to properly understand issues such as authorship, time of writing, genre, purpose, main characters, and the approach of scholars throughout the years to some of the more difficult elements of the text are all addressed in great detail by Garrett prior to exegeting the actual text. For instance when addressing the book of Proverbs, Garrett aptly outlines the similarities and differences between Proverbs as wisdom literature compared to other works of the same genre in the Ancient Near East (ANE). Garrett adroitly notes the various forms of wisdom, patters of wisdom literature, and important rhetorical devices found throughout Proverbs.

In addressing background issues related to Ecclesiastes, Garrett notes the wide range of interpretative positions taken on the underlying message of that book. He notes “the interpretation of this book is anything but unified” which is clearly evidenced by the approach taken in the past by the Reformers and Puritans, namely that the author of Ecclesiastes efforted to demonstrate the futility of this present world in juxtaposition to that of eternity, as opposed to more current positions taken by scholars such as the message being one of pessimism, a declaration of joy, the tension of life, a work of apologetics, existentialism, reflections for the wise, or simply a discussion of creation and the fall of man.

The variety of interpretations taken by scholars is arguably most notable with the Song of Songs. Garrett expertly discusses the numerous interpretative positions taken through the years on this book which greatly impact how one exegetes the purpose and message of the Song of Songs. Garrett does an excellent job of examining each position, noting the pros and cons of each while along the way suggesting what I believe to be the proper approach with this book, that of the Song of Songs being a literal love song that demonstrates both the proper biblical approach to love between man and woman and also the love relationship between God and His people.

Garrett provides a helpful outline of each book under examination prior to engaging the actual text. Outlines are very useful tools for understanding the overarching issue being addressed in a particular section of a book in Scripture. Additionally, they also enable the reader to grasp how the individual parts of that specific book relate to the overall message presented by the biblical author. This is an excellent backdrop to the exegesis Garrett provides, allowing the reader to have a clear understanding of what they are about to spend their time studying.

The analysis of the texts of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs provided by Garrett is quite excellent. I found very little if anything to quibble over. Furthermore, the numerous footnotes found throughout this book provided even more in-depth study and engagement of important issues Garrett discusses in his exegesis. Footnotes should never be overlooked by the reader, in particular when it comes to bible commentaries. In this particular commentary, Garrett often uses the footnotes to elaborate on word meanings, issues that often are of great importance when trying to understand the point being made in a certain passage.

As one who has been studying the Song of Songs in recent weeks, I found the engagement of that book by Garrett to be especially helpful. He approaches the text in short pieces, taking the needed time to walk the reader through the text in question with a useful combination of scholarship and accessibility. The Song of Songs uses a variety of images to relay the beautiful message found in this book. An example of this is the description by the Shulammite woman of her love being a king. Garrett notes “She calls him a king, but this is not to be understood literally; rather it is the language of love. Going to his chambers implies that the wedding night is meant.” Such excellent insight will help the reader navigate a book like the Song of Songs properly, ensuring the message of this book is not lost in the numerous poetic devices used in this beautiful love poem.

I highly recommend this commentary by Dr. Garrett for Bible College or Seminary students, pastors, and even the layman who wants to have a valuable tool for personal Bible study. This work is scholarly yet not overly complicated and will provide the serious Bible student the means to more fully understand the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs over the course of personal Bible study on these books specifically or perhaps in relation to specific topics addressed within these important texts.

I received this book for free from B&H Academic for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had Dr. Garrett as an Old Testament professor at Southern Seminary. He is a godly man, and a great scholar. I have used this commentary on sermons in the book of Proverbs, and I recently used the section on Ecclesiastes. If you are working through the wisdom literature, this commentary is a good, thorough, verse-by-verse resource for your preparation.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs is a well-researched and thorough examination of these three books of wisdom literature by Duane A. Garrett, professor of Old Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Proverbs

Garret spends a significant amount of time introducing integral information necessary for a full understanding of the book. He provides historical context, with an introduction to wisdom literature in the Ancient Near East (ANE), and how Israelite wisdom literature fit into the general literature of the day.

Garrett explores the seeming lack of structure in Proverbs, explaining the relative “order and disorder” of Proverbs 10:1-24:23, and introducing the collection style with which he categorizes the parables; that is, organizing parables into collections was a common practice in ANE wisdom literature. Garret also concludes that Proverbs is older than traditionally thought, ascribing the majority of it to the Solomonic monarchy under Solomon’s prompting.

An in-depth verse-by-verse summary is undertaken, explaining in detail the purpose of each proverb, the collection it falls under, and any other pertinent details.

Ecclesiastes

As with Proverbs, Garrett provides an in-depth introduction to Ecclesiastes, before moving onto a verse-by-verse analysis. He examines the arguments for Solomonic and non-Solomonic authorship, concluding that the book is probably postexilic. Therefore Solomon is not the author, despite what may be inferred from Eccl. 1:1. Garrett then describes the structure and style of the book; that it was most likely written by a single author; and that there is debate whether Ecclesiastes is “unstructured verbal meanderings” or whether a logical structure is present.

A thorough verse-by-verse analysis of the book is undertaken with a strong focus on the correct use of language.

Song of Songs

Providing background for the book, Garrett makes a case that Song of Song was written in the Solomonic period, most likely penned by Solomon himself. Garrett explains the array of interpretations that have been applied to Song of Songs, ultimately concluding it is simply a love song; a single, unified work. He vehemently discourages any sort of allegorical interpretation, explaining that it can only be seen as Christocentric in the same way that Proverbs and Deuteronomy are.

As with Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Garrett does a thorough verse-by-verse analysis, separating it on the basis of vocal parts: soprano, tenor, and chorus; where the soprano is the female, the tenor is the male, and the chorus are the friends.

Throughout the book, Garrett interacts with various theologians and scholars who have also explored these books. In doing so, he provides a well-rounded analysis of the book. I appreciated seeing what other scholars had to say on the issue, and Garrett does well with his critique, explaining their strengths and weaknesses and leaving no doubt about his conclusions.

Prior to reading the book, my knowledge of these biblical books was elementary, so I have little in terms of comparison. That said, I appreciate the extensive introductions and outlines he provides for each of the books. Once into the verse-by-verse analysis, Garrett builds on the foundational context he has established in the introduction and continues to interact with the thoughts of other scholars. Garrett also provides strong focus on the Hebrew, where he highlights any ambiguous or contentious sections, explaining his rational and reasoning.

As with all commentaries, it must be read with an understanding of the author’s background. Being a conservative theologian, as indicated in the author’s preface by his views on homosexuality, Garrett’s analysis and conclusions must be examined through that lens. This does not reduce its value, but remains an important consideration when reading. I found this book to be quite enlightening and it will quickly become a staple in study and sermon preparation on these three biblical books.

[Bret James Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary is based upon the NIV version of the Bible. It is as good as most commentaries on the market. As commentaries provide additional detail and comments about the text, it is recommended that more than one commentary be used when studying biblical material. Each author is going to have his own focus and presuppositions such as denominational stances that will impact the premises made. This particular commentary deals mostly with the individual verses of these books, which seems somewhat unusual as most of the commentaries I have read deal with thought units or segments of the book in question. Garrett’s verse-by-verse approach might be slightly superior to the other method as each verse receives treatment rather than being passed over or addressed as part of a selection of related verses.

The commentary assumes that this reference book will be used in teaching and preaching, so it is slanted toward this purpose. The book focuses upon the unity of the individual books of the Bible as well as the canon as a whole, which results in the author demonstrating the same. Further, the book is constructed with a conservative exegetical style with an evangelical and applicational bent.

Garrett focuses upon the timeless aspects of the biblical wisdom literature of these books. Wisdom literature is some of the more difficult portions of Scripture, and I think the author treats the material accurately. The introductory material to the controversial Song of Songs is a notable feature of this book, and I recommend it for this alone. As I mentioned above, Garrett tends to focus upon application, which is not my favourite approach. Still, I like this commentary. The only thing I would have preferred was it be based upon the KJV, though I understand and the choices behind utilizing the NIV. I highly recommend this commentary. I will be reading more of the series.

[Eric Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Proverbs historical cultural context