The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes [Paperback]

Derek Kidner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 1985

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." In the Wisdom literature of the Bible we first hear the cool voice of a teacher calling us to think--to think hard and humbly. "How long will fools hate knowledge?" cries Wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Then in Job comes the anguished voice of the questioner, earnest enough to seek answers, honest enough to doubt easy ones. In Ecclesiastes the chastened tone of the Preacher warns of the vanity of all life under the sun. Sensitive to both literary form and theological content, Derek Kidner introduces Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, explaining their basic character and internal structure. He also summarizes and evaluates the wealth of modern criticism focused on each book. Looking at all three books together, Kidner shows how their many voices compare, contrast and ultimately give a unified view of life. Kidner extends his analysis to include Ecclesiasticus and The Wisdom of Solomon from the Apocrapha, and he reprints excerpts from non-Israelite works that parallel the three major books treated.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Derek Kidner (M.A., A.R.C.M.) was formerly warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He has written several volumes in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 175 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (October 21, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877844054
• ISBN-13: 978-0877844051
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Derek Kidner (M.A., A.R.C.M.) was formerly warden of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He has written several volumes in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to wisdom literature, February 15, 2001

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"serracus" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

Derek Kidner is a brilliant biblical expositor. Here, in one slim paperback, he deftly guides the serious student of the bible through some of the most notoriously difficult books of the Old Testament. By it's nature, this is not a detailed commentary, rather it goes for a sweep - seeing the wood instead of the trees, as it were. While undoubtedly learned and thoughtful, it is also very readable. It sheds clear light, brings to life, and sets the wisdom contained in these books in the context of real life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An approach to discovering the good life, April 27, 2011

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Citizen John (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

I found it was impossible to worry about all the problems of life while reading Derek Kidner's book. This book transported me to a meditative state and made me feel thankful to experience life. The wisdom books have a lot to offer as I discovered with this book.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wise analysis of Biblical Wisdom, February 16, 2001

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rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes (Paperback)

This leader in the conservative world of OT studies, exceptional stuff on proverbs and psalms, here gives us a book which means and fulfills its goals of introducing the subject matter to us and instilling the desire for further ventures into this virtile section of the OT.

I was especially enlightened by his comments on Job, e.g. "the book shows . . . how small a part of any situation is the fragment that we see; how much of what we do see we ignore or distort through preconceptions; and how unwise it is to extrapolate from our elementary grasp of truth."

He summarizes the wisdom section for us by offering that none of the wisdom books gives all the answers, but the total sum of their individual contributions combined with the rest of Scriture resolves some of our difficulties yet urging us on forward to the NT; while still others leave us in travail, which is "an expectant word."

Playing greatly on the Biblical theme of fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom, however as a Lutheran I must humbly protest that Kidner falls short on Christology, e.g. "To me it is clear that while some of the language was destined to prepare the way for the NT's Christology, the portrait in its own context is personifying a concept, not describing a personality" or likewise, he does not find Christ in Ecclesiastes. I find Jesus' exegesis to be mine, He is in all OT Wisdom including Ecclesiastes, Luke 24:27.

Kidner is always worth reading carefully, and keeping it on one's bookshelf for reference.