Series: Ecclesiastes
Sermon #43: Wise Words and Weary Warnings
Ecclesiastes
12:11-12
[Audio file from Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/Ecclesiastes1211-12.]
11 The
words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of
assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by
these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much
study is a weariness of the flesh.
Outline:
I. The Nature of Wise Words (12:11)
II. The Next Generation Has It To Do (12:12)
I. The Nature of Wise Words (12:11)
The words of the
wise are as goads,
and as nails
fastened by the masters of assemblies,
which are given
from one shepherd.
1. The First Simile for the Words of the Wise — About
Their Profitable Function
2. The Second Simile for the Words of the Wise — About
Their Certain Reliability
3. The Source of the Words of the Wise — About their
United Authority
1. The First Simile for the Words of the Wise — About
Their Profitable Function
The words of the
wise are as goads
1) The words of
the wise
Eccl. 7:5 — It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a
man to hear the song of fools.
Eccl. 10:12 — The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but
the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Pr. 1:6 — To understand a proverb, and the
interpretation; the
words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Pr. 2:6 — For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh
knowledge and understanding.
Pr. 22:17 — Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the
wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
2) are as goads
A simile is a figure of speech introduced by the words
“like” or “as.”
When we encounter a word like this it is time to break
out the Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias!
“…an eight-foot wooden pole, shod
at one end with a spade used for removing mud from the plow and at the other
with a sharp point for prodding oxen. It was a formidable weapon in the hands
of Shamgar (Judg. 3:31). To “kick against the pricks” pictures oxen kicking
against the goads — a figure of useless resistance to a greater power.”
— “Goad,” in The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary, gen. ed. Merrill C. Tenney
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1967), pg. 316.
“The goad was a pole of some 8 ft.
in length, ‘armed at one end with a spike, at the other with a chisel-shaped
blade for cleaning the plough, and on occasion would make a very good
substitute for a spear’ (Moore, Judges, 105).”
— John A. Selbie, “Goad,” in A Dictionary of the Bible Dealing with its
Language, Literature, and Contents Including the Biblical Theology, 5
vols., eds. James Hastings, J. A. Selbie, A. B. Davidson, S. R. Driver, and H.
B. Swete (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark; New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons,
1911-1912; 1988 reprint Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA), 2:194-195; on the
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
(CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hastings/dictv2/Page_194.html,
and http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hastings/dictv2/Page_195.html
[accessed 25 SEP 2016].
“GOAD—(Heb. malmad, only in Judg.
3:31), an instrument used by ploughmen for guiding their oxen. Shamgar slew six
hundred Philistines with an ox-goad. “The goad is a formidable weapon. It is
sometimes ten feet long, and has a sharp point. We could now see that the feat
of Shamgar was not so very wonderful as some have been accustomed to think.”
In 1 Sam. 13:21, a different Hebrew
word is used, dorban, meaning something pointed. The expression (Acts 9:5,
omitted in the R.V.), “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”, i.e.,
against the goad, was proverbial for unavailing resistance to superior power.”
— Matthew George Easton, “Ox goad,”
in Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 3rd
ed. (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1893; Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1897);
on Bible Study Tools at http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/ox-goad.html [accessed 26 SEP 2016].
“GOAD, gōd דָּרְבָן, dōrebhān, מַלְמָד, malmādh; κέντρον, kéntron): The
goad used by the Syrian farmer is usually a straight branch of oak or other
strong wood from which the bark has been stripped, and which has at one end a
pointed spike and at the other a flat, chisel-shaped iron. The pointed end is
to prod the oxen while plowing. The flattened iron at the other end is to
scrape off the earth which clogs the ploughshare. The ancient goad was probably
similar to this instrument. It could do villainous work in the hands of an
experienced fighter (Jgs 3:31). If 1 S 13:21 is correctly trd, the
goads were kept sharpened by files.
Figurative: “The words of the wise are as goads” (Eccl 12:11). The only
reference to goads in the NT is the familiar passage, “It is hard for thee to
kick against the goad” (Acts 26:14). It was as useless for Saul to keep on in
the wrong way as for a fractious ox to attempt to leave the furrow. He would
surely be brought back with a prick of the goad.”
— James A. Patch, “GOAD,” in International
Standard Bible Encyclopedia, gen ed. James Orr (Chicago: The
Howard-Severance Company, 1915); on Bible
Study Tools at http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/goad.html
[accessed 26 SEP 2016].
The 8’-10’ length of the shaft of the goad was necessary
for it to reach the oxen when wielded by the plowman in the harness with the
plow and the traces between him and the rear of the team of oxen in the yoke.
This length also enable the plowman to keep his distance from any kicks by the
oxen in response to being goaded.
1 Sam. 13:21 — Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and
for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
Note: There is either a textual problem, or translation
differences, or both involving this word in 1 Sam. 13:21. See, for example,
Selbie, op. cit., pg. 194; and Patch, op. cit. In any case, the Hebrew word
translated “goads” here is the same as that used in Eccl. 12:11.
Judg. 3:31 — And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath,
which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
Note: This is a different Hebrew word (malmādh), than that found in Eccl.
12:11 (dōrebhān). I would suggest that
what we may have here is:
1) the former
referring to the entirety of the goad including the 8’-10’ staff, and both ends
— the chisel on one end and the sharpened point at the other; and,
2) the latter
only referring to the sharpened point on one end of the tool or weapon.
The New Living Translation’s
rendering, “cattle prods,” fails to convey to
the modern mind the reality depicted by the ancient ox goad. Modern cattle
prods are electronic devices that transmit a shock to the beast. This may be
another example of a translation attempting to do too much, rather than leaving
it to the expositor to explain what the ancient figure of speech was meant to
convey. The NASB, ESV, HCSB, NIV and YLT all agree in rendering this as
“goads,” so perhaps the NLT translators were just trying to be different. I
challenge modern readers to think “cattle prod,” and then to imagine Shamgar slaughtering
600 Philistine men with one! It is of interest that the New Living Translation renders both of
the two words involved as “ox goad” in Judg. 3:31 and 1 Sam. 13:21. Whoever was
responsible for the translation of Eccl. 12:11 should have followed suit, but
apparently was given too much latitude by the editorial committee.
A related figure of speech is seen in the variety of
different Hebrew words used for the effects of thorns or prickers viewed both
externally and internally experienced as chastening and chastising judgments
from God when disobedient. The effect is the same, although the combined
imagery of both ends of the ox goad for those bearing the yoke of Christ would
seem to carry a fuller and more beneficial significance. Keeping the plow clean
with the chisel end of the goad makes the task easier. Keeping His people
plowing a straight furrow requires a painful poke with the pointed end. When
the Lord brings chastening pain into our lives it is to get us back where we
belong, and to keep us headed in the right direction. That is the effect of the
goad intended in this simile connected to “the words of the wise.”
Num. 33:55 — But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants
of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye
let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex
you in the land wherein ye dwell. (sek)
Ps. 73:21 — Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked
in my reins. (shanan)
Ezek. 28:24 — And there shall be no more a pricking brier
unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them,
that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. (ma’ar)
Acts 2:37 — Now when they heard this, they were pricked
in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 9:5 — And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks.
Acts 26:14 — And when we were all fallen to the earth, I
heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
2. The Second Simile for the Words of the Wise — About
Their Certain Reliability
and as nails
fastened by the masters of assemblies
Translation issue: “masters.” See other translations for
the difficulty faced in rendering this.
The NKJV has “scholars” with a note: “Lit. masters of assemblies”
The emphasis here may be twofold given the translation
issue above, but is certainly on the modifiers of “nails.” See other
translations for how this is understood.
NASB
— “and masters of these collections
are like well-driven[1]
nails”
ESV — “like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings”
HCSB
— “those from masters of collections are like firmly embedded nails”
NIV
— “their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails”
The New Living Translation chose a paraphrastic dynamic equivalent here
that seems to connect this simile to the previous one due to the similarities
between the two words, but without warrant in the text: “Their collected
sayings are like a nail-studded stick.”
The rendering of this figure of
speech in Young’s Literal Translation
seems even more inexplicable: “as fences planted by the masters of collections.”
Another form of this same Hebrew word is found in 1 Chr.
22:3; 2 Chr. 3:9; Is. 41:7; and Jer. 10:4.
1 Chr. 22:3 — And David prepared iron in abundance for
the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in
abundance without weight;
2 Chr. 3:9 — And the weight of the nails was fifty
shekels of gold. And he overlaid the
upper chambers with gold.
Is. 41:7 — So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and
he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready
for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
Jer. 10:4 — They deck it with silver and with gold; they
fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Notice in the prophets how the emphasis is on the
security or immovability of that which is fastened with nails.
A different Hebrew word translated “nail,” and probably
referring to a wooden tent peg, is found in the following passages:
Ezra 9:8 — And now for a little space grace hath been
shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy
place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little
reviving in our bondage.
Is. 22:20-25 — 20 And it shall come to pass in
that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I
will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 And the key
of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none
shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a
nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his
father's house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house,
the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of
cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. 25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the
nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall;
and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath
spoken it.
Here the singular of the English word moves us from these
“words of the wise” to a secure hope of glory in the holy place typified in
Ezra and Isaiah’s day, in prospect of the antitypical Greater Nail (Rev. 1:18;
3:7; cp. also Jn. 1:14; Col. 2:9). For other examples of the word used in Ezra
and Isaiah see Zech. 10:4; and Judg. 4:21-22; and 5:26.
See the following
for more on these terms:
“NAIL. 1. Finger-nail (Heb. ṣippōren; Aram. ṭep̱ar). Captive women were
commanded to shave the head and pare the nails (Dt. 21:12). Nebuchadrezzar had
‘nails like birds’ claws’ (Dn. 4:33; cf. 7:19).
2. A wooden tent peg (Jdg. 4:21, Heb. yāṯēḏ), used by Jael to slay
Sisera. It was sometimes used for suspending objects as in Ezk. 15:3. Isaiah
(22:25 AV; RSV ‘peg’) likened Eliakim to ‘a nail in a sure place’ on which the
‘whole weight of his father’s house’ might hang. Such a nail was driven into a
wall.
3. A metal nail or pin (yāṯēḏ) for driving into wood or other material
to hold objects together, or left projecting to suspend objects. In the
tabernacle the nails were bronze (Ex. 27:19; 35:18; 38:20, 31; 39:40; Nu. 3:37;
4:32). Delilah used such a nail (pin) to bind Samson (Jdg. 16:14). The word
masmēr refers to nails of iron (1 Ch. 22:3) or of gold (2 Ch. 3:9), driven into
a wall (Ec. 12:11), or used to secure idols in their place (Is. 41:7; Je.
10:4). Nails have been found at many Palestinian sites including Tell Abu
Hawam, an ancient harbour city near Mt Carmel.
4. In NT times victims were affixed to a *CROSS by nails driven through
hands and feet (Gk. hēos, Jn. 20:25).”
— J. A. Thompson, “Nail,” in New
Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed., eds. D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R.
Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,
1996), pg. 799.
“NAIL.—1. Heb. צִפֹּרֶן, Aram. טְפַר, Arab. zufr, a finger nail, Dt
21:12,* Dn 4:33. In Jer 17:1 the word refers to the diamond point of the graver
or stylus. 2. יָתֵד, Arab. watad, a pin or peg of wood, a tent peg. In Syria
tent pegs are usually of oak, very roughly shaped and pointed. It was with one
of these that Jael treacherously murdered Sisera, Jg 4:21ff. (see Moore, ad
loc.). In Ex 27:19 it is said that the pegs of the tabernacle were of copper.
In old houses in Lebanon wooden pegs are driven into the walls of rooms, so
that articles may be suspended on them. Sometimes the pin is drawn out by the
weight of the article hung on it, having been driven into a mass of clay, used
as mortar, between the stones of the wall. The ‘nail in a sure place’ (Is
22:23, 25) is one wedged firmly between two stones. 3. מַסְמֵר (מַשְׂמְרוֹת Ec
12:11), Arab. mismâr, a nail, generally of metal. In 1 Ch 22:3 it is said that
‘David prepared iron in abundance for the nails’; 2 Ch 3:9 mentions that ‘the
weight of the nails was 50 shekels of gold.’ In the NT ἧλος is the
corresponding word, Jn 20:25, see CROSS.”
— William Carslaw, “Nail.,” in A Dictionary of the Bible Dealing with its Language, Literature, and
Contents Including the Biblical Theology, 5 vols., eds. James Hastings, J.
A. Selbie, A. B. Davidson, S. R. Driver, and H. B. Swete (Edinburgh: T. &
T. Clark; New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1911-1912; 1988 reprint
Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA), 3:477;
on the Christian Classics Ethereal
Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/hastings/dictv3/Page_477.html
[accessed 26 SEP 2016].
“NAIL—for fastening. (1.) Hebrew yathed, “piercing,” a peg or nail of
any material (Ezek. 15:3), more especially a tent-peg (Ex. 27:19; 35:18;
38:20), with one of which Jael (q.v.) pierced the temples of Sisera (Judg.
4:21, 22). This word is also used metaphorically (Zech. 10:4) for a prince or
counsellor, just as “the battle-bow” represents a warrior.
(2.) Masmer, a “point,” the usual word for a nail. The words of the
wise are compared to “nails fastened by the masters of assemblies” (Eccl.
12:11, A.V.). The Revised Version reads, “as nails well fastened are the words
of the masters,” etc. Others (as Plumptre) read, “as nails fastened are the
masters of assemblies” (comp. Isa. 22:23; Ezra 9:8). David prepared nails for
the temple (1 Chr. 22:3; 2 Chr. 3:9). The nails by which our Lord was fixed to
the cross are mentioned (John 20:25; Col. 2:14).
Nail of the finger (Heb. tsipporen, “scraping”). To “pare the nails” is
in Deut. 21:12 (marg., “make,” or “dress,” or “suffer to grow”) one of the
signs of purification, separation from former heathenism (comp. Lev. 14:8; Num.
8:7). In Jer. 17:1 this word is rendered “point.””
— Matthew George Easton, “Nail,” in Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. (New York: Harper and
Brothers, 1893; Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1897); on Bible Study Tools at http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/nail.html [accessed 26 SEP 2016].
3. The Source of the Words of the Wise — About their
United Authority
which are given
from one shepherd
The twofold emphasis here is both on the nature and the
singularity of the author.
1) The ultimate Author is the Shepherd
2) The ultimate Author is singular
1) The ultimate
Author is the Shepherd
Ps. 80:1 — Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph
like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Ezek. 34:23 (1-31) — And I will set up one shepherd
over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them,
and he shall be their shepherd.
Jn. 10:1-16 — 1 Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some
other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth
in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the
porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by
name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own
sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for
they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus
unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto
them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are
thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the
door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out,
and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to
kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and
not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the
sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth
not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known
of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and
I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which
are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and
there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
2) The ultimate
Author is singular
2 Tim. 3:16 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
2 Pet. 1:21 — For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
II. The Next Generation Has It To Do (12:12)
And further, by
these, my son, be admonished:
of making many
books there is no end;
and much study is
a weariness of the flesh.
1. A Warning to
Pass On to Sons
2. A Task That
Never Ends for Authors
3. A Difficulty
That Must Be Endured by Students
1. A Warning to Pass On to Sons
And further, by
these, my son, be admonished
Here is a warning for the next generation flowing from
“the words of the wise” as a word to the wise about what to expect in the life
long tasks that this author and father has devoted his life to.
2. A Task That Never Ends for Authors
of making many
books there is no end
I Ki. 4:29-34 — 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and
understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is
on the sea shore. 30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all
the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol,
and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 32
And he spake
three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33
And he spake of
trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that
springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of
creeping things, and of fishes. 34 And there came of all
people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had
heard of his wisdom.
How books were made in Solomon’s day, and the lengths to
which he went to obtain books or have them copied, to say nothing of writing
his own, is one thing. This historical reality which lay behind these words has
yielded to a future that is mind boggling given the transformation the 15th century
experienced with the advent of the printing press, and the 20th century with
the mushrooming effects of digital publishing. Qoheleth’s “many” now seems like
a gross understatement, that he would find beyond amazing. That “many” was
certainly true then, and even more so in our day, since whatever it meant to Solomon
cannot compare to what is going on with publishing now.
“The United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) monitors both the number and type
of books published per country per year…”
The total for 2014 was 2,200,000.
— “Books published per country per
year,” on Wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_published_per_country_per_year
[accessed 26 SEP 2016].
You will never write the last chapter of the last book.
Only God alone will be the author of the final chapter of the last book as He
closes down this Old Creation for the New Heavens and the New Earth.
3. A Difficulty That Must Be Endured by Students
and much study is
a weariness of the flesh
Eccl. 1:18 — For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth
knowledge increaseth sorrow.
There is far too much mental flab in our culture today.
The television generation has put their brains into neutral, and passively
exposes itself to audio-visual stimulii. Instead of figuring things out for
themselves, and checking out what they are exposed to, they would rather be
“spoon fed.”
True study is physical tasking, and exhausting. It must
be done, but it is never easy. Study is not for the lazy.
[Sermon preached 25 SEP 2016 by Pastor John T. “Jack”
Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]
Complete Outline:
I. The Nature of Wise Words (12:11)
1. The First Simile for the Words of the Wise — About Their Profitable
Function
2. The Second Simile for the Words of the Wise — About Their Certain
Reliability
3. The Source of the Words of the Wise — About their United Authority
1) The ultimate Author is the
Shepherd
2) The ultimate Author is
singular
II. The Next Generation Has It To Do (12:12)
1. A Warning to Pass On to Sons
2. A Task That Never Ends for Authors
3. A Difficulty That Must Be Endured by Students
Select Sources on Ecclesiastes:
J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore The Book: A Basic and Broadly
Interpretive Course of Bible Study from Genesis to Revelation, 6 vols. in 1
ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d., 1960 printing).
William D. Barrick, Ecclesiastes:
The Philippians of the Old Testament, Focus on the Bible series
(Fearn, Ross-Shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2012). Barrick’s lecture notes (PDF files) and audio (mp3) are
on Dr Barrick
at http://drbarrick.org/teaching/ecclesiastes/ [accessed 3 FEB 2016].
Thorleif Boman, Hebrew Thought Compared With Greek, 2nd
ed. rev., trans. Jules L. Moreau (New York: W. W. Norton. 1960; from Das hebrӓische Denken im Vergleich mit dem
Griechischen, Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1954).
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Ecclesiastes
(New York: Robert Carter & Brothers, 1860); on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/expositionofbook00bridrich [accessed 11 MAY 2015]; on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=e4kOAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 11 MAY 2015]; and linked on Precept Austin at http://preceptaustin.org/proverbs_commentaries.htm#cb [accessed 11 MAY 2015].
C. Hassell Bullock, An
Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books: The Wisdom and Songs of Israel
(Chicago: Moody Press, 1979).
Franz Delitzsch, “Commentary on The Song of Songs and
Ecclesiastes,” trans. M. G. Easton, in Commentary
on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Vol. VI: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon:
Three Volumes in One (Grand Rapids:
William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1975 reprint), III:179-442.
Michael A. Eaton, Ecclesiastes:
An Introduction and Commentary, Vol.
16, Tyndale Old
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, 1983).
ESV Study Bible
(Wheaton: Crossway, 2008).
Sinclair B.
Ferguson. The Pundit's Folly: Chronicles
of an Empty Life (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1995).
Duane A. Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Vol. 14, New American Commentary
(Nashville: Broadman, 1993).
Robert
Baker Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old
Testament: Their Bearing on Christian Doctrine, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d., 1976 reprint of 1897 ed.); on Study Light at http://www.studylight.org/lexicons/gos/ [accessed 13 JUL 2016]; and on NTS Library at http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books%20II/Girdlestone%20-%20Synomyns%20of%20the%20OT.pdf [accessed 13 JUL 2016]; in an
earlier edition, Robert Baker Girdlestone, Synonyms
of the Old Testament: Their Bearing on Christian Faith and Practice
(London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1871); on Internet Archive at https://archive.org/details/synonymsofoldtes00gird [accessed 13 JUL 2016]; and on Google Books at https://books.google.com/books?id=D3YcA72rnqQC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 JUL 2016]. Note: The
Hebrew characters did not make it intact into the digital edition on NTS Library.
Donald R. Glenn,
“Ecclesiastes,” in The Bible Knowledge
Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. J. F. Walvoord, and R. B.
Zuck (Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1985).
William Henry
Green, “Scope and Plan of the Book of Ecclesiastes,” Biblical Reparatory and Princeton Review 29 (1857), pp. 419-40; on Gordon Faculty Online at http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/OTeSources/21-Ecclesiastes/Text/Articles/Green-ScopeofEccl-1857.pdf [accessed 7 NOV 2015].[2]
R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament with a comprehensive review of Old
Testament Studies and a special supplement on the Apocrypha (Grand Rapids:
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1969).
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Coping With Change: Ecclesiastes (Fearn,
Roth-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus, 2013).[3]
Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Ecclesiastes:
Total Life, in Everyman’s
Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1979).
Derek Kidner, The Message of
Ecclesiastes: A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Dance, in The Bible Speaks Today, Old Testament series ed. J. A. Motyer (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity
Press, 1976).
H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Ecclesiastes (Grand
Rapids: Baker, 1952).
Tremper Longman III, The Book of Ecclesiastes, New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).
John MacArthur, MacArthur Study Bible, rev. ed.
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
Tim Mackie, “The book of Ecclesiastes explained with illustrations,”
on The Bible Project at http://www.jointhebibleproject.com
[accessed 18 JUN 2016]; includes downloadable full resolution video (700+ mb),
and poster; for the video see also “Read Scripture Ecclesiastes” (10 JUN 2016),
on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrsQ1tc-2wk
[accessed 18 JUN 2016].[4]
D. B. Miller, Ecclesiastes, Believers Church Bible Commentary (Scottdale, PA;
Waterloo, ON: Herald Press, 2010).
Roland Edmund
Murphy, Ecclesiastes, Vol. 23A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas:
Word, 1992).
New Geneva Study Bible
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995).
John G. Reisinger, Studies in
Ecclesiastes (Frederick, MD: New Covenant Media, 2008).
Philip Graham Ryken, Ecclesiastes:
Why Everything Matters, in Preaching the Word, gen. ed. R. Kent Hughes (Wheaton:
Crossway, 2010).
Philip
G. Ryken, Why Everything Matters: The
Gospel in Ecclesiastes (Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus
Publications, Ltd., 2015).
Benjamin Shaw,
“On Reading Ecclesiastes,” in The Hope
Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson, ed. Robert L. Penny
(Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2008), pp. 47-58.
Peter B. Steese,
ed., Ecclesiastes, gen. ed. Leonard
F. Dean (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, Inc., 1966).
Tom V. Taylor, Studies in
Ecclesiastes (Port Colborne, Ontario, CA: Gospel Folio Press, 2013). See also the “Thomas V. Taylor Library” on the Interdisciplinary Biblical Research Institute
at http://www.taylorlib.ibri.org/ [accessed 27 NOV 2013].
Hans
Walter Wolff, Anthropology of the Old
Testament, trans. Margaret Kohl (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1974; from Anthropologie des Alten Testaments,
Munich: Chr. Kaiser Verlag, 1973).
Addison G. Wright, “The Riddle of the Sphinx: The
Structure of the Book of Qoheleth,” in Reflecting
with Solomon: Selected Studies on the Book of Ecclesiastes, ed. Roy B. Zuck
(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), pp. 45-66; originally published in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 30 (1968),
pp. 313-334.
J. Stafford
Wright, “Ecclesiastes,” in Psalms-Song of Songs, Vol. 5, Expositor's Bible Commentary, ed.
Frank E. Gaebelein (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991).
J. Stafford Wright, “The Interpretation of Ecclesiastes”, in Classical Evangelical Essays in Old
Testament Interpretation, ed. Walter C. Kaiser Jr. (Grand Rapids: Baker,
1972), pp. 135-150; from J. Stafford Wright, “The Interpretation of
Ecclesiastes,” Evangelical Quarterly
18 (1946), pp. 18-34; on Rediscovering
the Bible at http://rediscoveringthebible.com/InterpretationOfEcclesiastes.html
[accessed 7 MAY 2015].
Ronald F. Youngblood, “Qoheleth's 'Dark House' (Eccl.
12:5),” in A Tribute to
Gleason Archer, eds. Walter C. Kaiser and
Ronald F. Youngblood (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), pp.211-228; also published
in Journal of the Evangelical Theological
Society 29:4 (DEC 1986), pp. 397-410; on Biblical Studies at http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/29/29-4/29-4-pp397-410_JETS.pdf
[accessed 4 APR 2016].
End Notes:
[1]
Lit., planted
[2] Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. inexplicably refers to this as
an “unsigned article” on at least two occasions in his commentary despite the
facts that: 1) William Henry Green is clearly indicated as the author under the
title on the first page of the article (pg. 419), and 2) one of his own faculty
members (Ted Hildebrandt) has posted the article on the school’s web site where
Kaiser served as both faculty member and President. Walter
C. Kaiser, Jr., Ecclesiastes: Total Life,
in Everyman’s Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1979); and Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Coping
With Change: Ecclesiastes (Fearn, Roth-shire, Scotland: Christian Focus,
2013).
[3] Although not indicated on the copyright page, this
appears in all respects to be a revised edition (2nd ed.) of the Moody Press
1979 original. The relationship to the original is referenced in the “Preface,”
where the author mentions the inclusion of his own translation of Ecclesiastes
in this revision as one significant change. “Dale Ralph Davis compares the two
and says, “the ‘bones’ are much the same but the whole has been updated and
expanded.” Source: Tim Challies, “Best Commentaries on Ecclesiastes” (18 NOV
2013), on Challies at http://www.challies.com/resources/best-commentaries-on-ecclesiastes [accessed 7 NOV 2015].
[4] “This video explores the main ideas and flow of
thought of the book of Ecclesiastes.
The Bible Project is a
non-profit creating animated videos that explain the narrative of the Bible.
These videos are free to use for personal and educational purposes. Download a
full resolution version of this video along with a study guide at
www.jointhebibleproject.com.”
“About the author: Tim Mackie
is a Pastor of Door of Hope church and a Professor at Western Seminary -
timmackie.com”
