Customer Reviews

Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Iain Provan is one of the most balanced and thoughful OT scholars alive today, and this commentary is just another example of his outstanding thoughfulness. His comments on Ecclesiastes help the reader see a unity and logical flow to a book that almost defies logical flow. What was very interesting was his take on the meaning of the word, "hebel" (sometimes translated as "vanity" or "meaningless"). Provan suggests an alternate translation of "fleeting" that makes better sense of the book as a whole. Life is not without meaning, according to the writer of Ecclesiastes. It is fleeting, and thus the activities that are designed to "use life rather than live life" create a sense of futility.

In the Song of Songs, Provan opts for a three person drama- the Shulammite woman, the king who takes her into his harem and her devoted lover from the country. Again, this interpretational grid helps unravel some of the confusion of the text, such as "How could a book devoted to sexual intimacy in marriage exalt a king with so many concubines?"

Provan's exegesis is first-rate, his theological reflections are penetrating and how he bridges contexts are worth their weight in gold for the person who is using this commentary to help prepare lessons or sermons on either of these books. Provan is at once readable and profound and you will find that purchasing this commentary will be money very well spent!!

I bought this book for the Song of Solomon portion. It was excellent, but the Ecclesiastes portion shed a brilliant, unexpected light on my thoughts about that book. Highly recommended.

I purchased this commentary to help me preach through the Song of Songs. The author views two main male characters to be found. Solomon is the secondary person and a "dark force in the drama" (page 246). The woman is a member of Solomon's harem but is in love with someone else.

A major issue to be addressed is the allegorical vs. literal interpretation. The author spends a good deal of time stating the issues and determines that it is not necessarily allegorical. However, the author seems to embrace this method.

Two thumbs down for someone preaching through the book.

Dr Provan's exegesis is very insightful and penetrating. He avoids cliches in discussing Ecclesiastes and gets down to the heart of interpretation. One of the best commentaries on Ecclesisastes I have read.

I give this four stars because I am not yet finished with it (currently in Ecclesiastes 3). If the material maintains the same course it could easily attain the next star. I like it because of its exegetical and homiletical value. I think it is thorough, perhaps a bit wordy, but that is something I like (at least as he has done so).

As a preacher all I need is a seed sown and I can build the rest.