Proverbs - Ecclesiastes (Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary)
Milton P Horne
Drawing from the most recent scholarly studies in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, these commentaries incorporate a reading of the books with a view toward connectivity and theological reflection. In addition to the imaginative artwork used for illustration, readers will find a broad appeal to contemporary literature and authors as touchstones for applied reflection. Because of its use of universal concepts and images and the absence of references to the particularistic appeal to ancient Israel's nationalistic story, these books from the wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible may be some of the most relevant Biblical writing for the contemporary setting. For this reason readers are invited to recontextualize, through the perspectives of contemporary literatures, the wise council of Israel's ancient sages.

Milton P. Horne is professor of religion at William Jewell College, where he has taught in the religion department since 1986. In addition to teaching, Horne provided the college with curricular leadership from 1995-2001 as Associate Dean for General Education, coordinating Jewell's integrated, interdisciplinary "Responsible Self" general education curriculum. His present position with the Partee Center for Baptist Historical Studies aims to expand the center's work to include an educational initiative on Christian faith and Liberal Arts Education.

Table of Contents

Introduction to Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

PROVERBS

Proverbs with Purpose Prov 1:1-7

Prosperity from Greed Prov 1:8-19

Wisdom's Security Prov 1:20-33

The Teacher's Syllabus Prov 2:1-22

Wisdom's Absolute Surrender Prov 3:1-12

Wisdom's Incomparability Prov 3:13-20

Wisdom for Community Life Prov 3:21-35

The Wisdom of Experience Prov 4:1-9

The Way of Life Prov 4:10-19

The Heart of Wisdom Prov 4:20-27

The Seduction of an "Other" Prov 5:1-23

An Interlude on Foolishness and Wickedness Prov 6:1-19

The Foolishness of Adultery Prov 6:20-35

The Parent's Final Admonition on Adultery Prov 7:1-27

Woman Wisdom Comes Calling Prov 8:1-36

Feasting at Wisdom's Table Prov 9:1-18

Righteousness vs. Wickedness Prov 10:1-32

Justice for the Righteous Prov 11:1-31

Foundations for Success Prov 12:1-28

The Essentials of Education Prov 13:1-25

Wisdom in Public Prov 14:1-35

The Discipline of Reason and Religion Prov 15:1-33

The Center of the Universe Prov 16:1-33

Less Is More Prov 17:1-28

The Good Life and Its Social Context Prov 18:1-24

On Getting an Education Prov 19:1-29

Threats to the Good Life Prov 20:1-30

Wisdom and Wickedness Prov 21:1-31

The Profitability of Wisdom Prov 22:1-16

Between Rich and Poor Prov 22:17–23:11

Between Envy and the Fear of the Lord Prov 23:12-24:22

More Wise Words: The Court and Work Prov 24:23-34

Discriminating Kings, Courts, and Choices Prov 25:1-28

What Is a Fool? Prov 26:1-28

Focus on This Day's Work Prov 27:1-27

A Just Economy Prov 28:1-28

Society and Good Government Prov 29:1-27

Riddled with Questions Prov 30:1-33

A Woman's Wisdom Prov 31:1-31


ECCLESIASTES

Introduction to Ecclesiastes: The Legacy of Skepticism

Reflections on a Royal Point of View Eccl 1:1-3

Conclusions Drawn from Creation Eccl 1:4-11

What Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight Eccl 1:12-18

The Challenge of Understanding Pleasure Eccl 2:1-11

Is Wisdom Worth It? Eccl 2:12-17

A Review of Toil, Profit, Wisdom, and Folly Eccl 2:18-26

Everything in Its Place Eccl 3:1-15

Imagining a World of Justice Eccl 3:16-22

The Relative Good vs. the Absolute Good Eccl 4:1-16

Honesty Eccl 5:1-7

Enjoyment Is God’s Gift Eccl 5:8-6:9

Restating the Problem: What Is Good? Eccl 6:10-7:14

Response to Human Nature Eccl 7:15-29

The Task of Restraining the Wind Eccl 8:1-17

Live Life in the Present, Because Death Stalks Eccl 9:1-10

Life Turns on Unrecognizable Detail Eccl 9:11–10:15

The Realities of Human Society Eccl 10:16–11:6

Conclusion: On Human Destiny Eccl 11:7–12:8

Distance Makes the Difference Eccl 12:9-14

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Sidebars for Proverbs

Index of Sidebars for Ecclesiastes

Index of scriptures

Index of topics

Illustration credits

579 pages   Hardback

Reviews

This commentary of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes provides a balanced examination of two of the primary collections of wisdom from ancient Israel and early Judaism. What is especially helpful are the succinct introductions to each of these two books that examines the various options for viewing them within the sapiential and historical contexts of the larger Israelite and Jewish communities. Thus, Horne avoids the pitfall of simply providing a literary treatment that points to ideas and the peculiarities of the moral understandings and language of these two books. In addition, his work demonstrates the theological richness of wisdom in general and these two books in particular. This commentary undoubtedly will earn a place among the best treatments of Proverbs and Ecclesiasties in recent scholarship.

Leo G. Perdue
Gast Professor of Old Testament
Heidelberg University

ISBN: 9781573120692
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: SMYTH & HELWYS PUBLISHING - published 15/01/2003
Format: Hardback  

£35.99
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