Proverbs–Ecclesiastes

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.