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The Message of Ecclesiastes (Bible Speaks Today Series) Paperback – August 13, 1984

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 96 ratings

What is life about? In the end, does it all amount to a wisp of vapor, a puff of wind, a mere breath---nothing you can get your hands on--the nearest thing to zero? So says the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes. But is this the whole message of Ecclesiastes?

With imagination and clarity, Derek Kidner introduces this Old Testament book which speaks so powerfully to our generation. His love of Hebrew poetry and his understanding of biblical mind shine through in his careful passage-by-passage exposition. The full biblical text is included.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The works of Derek Kidner (MA, Christ's College, Cambridge) are full of the marks of both professor and pastor with his even­handed scholarship as well as his devotional insight. These qualities have made his commentaries in the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series and The Bible Speaks Today series some of the most beloved and popular of recent decades. Kidner had a long career in both the church and the academy in England. He studied at Cambridge University and then served in the ministry for several years before becoming a senior tutor at Oak Hill Theological College. Kidner began his writing career while serving as warden of Tyndale House in Cambridge from 1964 to 1978, publishing his ninth and final book, The Message of Jeremiah, in 1987.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IVP Academic; Reprint edition (August 13, 1984)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 110 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0877842868
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0877842866
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 96 ratings

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Derek Kidner
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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.

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4.4 out of 5 stars
96 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for explaining Ecclesiastes clearly. They describe it as a wonderful read that can be completed in a day.

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17 customers mention "Clarity"13 positive4 negative

Customers find the book helpful for understanding Ecclesiastes. It provides clear and concise explanations of its content in a straightforward manner. The author is described as an outstanding scholar who understands writing, making it accessible to lay readers.

"...Kidner's ability to bring crystal clarity astonishes...." Read more

"...The writer gets to the heart of the book in a clear and concise way, making personal application and understanding of the book easier...." Read more

"...The writer, Derek Kidner, was an outstanding scholar who knew how to write ot difficult things and explain them simply and with clarity...." Read more

"...looking to buy it, I will emphasize that it is still very much readable for the lay person, but depending on your preference you might get bogged..." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read. They say it's a short book that can be read in a day.

"And excellent book for anyone who is interested in a study of Ecclesiastes...." Read more

"This is a good nonfiction read for those who are doing Bible study. It is a short book and can be read in a day." Read more

"Good book. The physical printing is very suspect. This may be some type of knock off printing it does not appear to be a professionally printed book." Read more

"Good book" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2018
    I have read this at least five times. I bought a second copy because my first was littered with notes. Kidner's ability to bring crystal clarity astonishes. I can't count the number of times he says more in one sentence than others say in an entire chapter. As to the specifics about this book, it's already been well said in some of the other five star reviews. I've been meaning to write this short review for a long time, and just noticed it recently has garnered a few one star reviews. God bless those reviewers. Ecclesiastes is quite the outlier, as it relates to the rest of the scripture, probably the most misunderstood book in the Bible. Perhaps they just weren't ready yet to really dive into it.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2012
    And excellent book for anyone who is interested in a study of Ecclesiastes. The writer gets to the heart of the book in a clear and concise way, making personal application and understanding of the book easier.
    I would definitely purchase other books from this seller, the transaction time was minimal and the book condition was as expected.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016
    Very small print and a little hard to follow but important information
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2012
    I purchased this for a Canadian friend because he had so many questions as he read through the book of Ecclesiastes. The writer, Derek Kidner, was an outstanding scholar who knew how to write ot difficult things and explain them simply and with clarity. My friend was delighted with my purchase.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2012
    This is a good nonfiction read for those who are doing Bible study. It is a short book and can be read in a day.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2016
    I really want to like this commentary, but there's something unapproachable to it.

    I'll firstly state that I am not a Biblical scholar nor do I have the knowledge and insight that I know Mr. Kidner has. I will also state that just because I didn't prefer this commentary doesn't mean I have any harsh feelings towards Mr. Kidner so please keep any comments on my review civil as I have done so in my review.

    The short:
    I gave this commentary 3 stars because perhaps my gripes with the commentary are more about personal taste than it is with the content. For any one looking to buy it, I will emphasize that it is still very much readable for the lay person, but depending on your preference you might get bogged down in, what I feel is, his personal style.

    The long:
    From his commentary on Ecclesiastes, I see hidden gems, key elements that are helpful in understanding this book. Deep and insightful as they are though, they are just that, hidden.

    Between the quality of the print (which for some is just a direct photocopy of the original making the footnotes miserable to read. Not Kidner's fault, I know) and Kidner's wordiness, the knowledge that he wishes to share (which there is plenty) gets lost. There is a lot of what seems to be at times unnecessary, fluffy exposition that like a man searching for words that can't seem to find the right things to say to give full meaning to what he is trying to communicate like a man searching for water in the desert and much like I'm doing right now...the original reason for writing the sentence is unknown. A lot of folks like this commentary, and they have great reason to like it. However for me, I get waylaid by Kidner's personal writing style which is always profound but never entirely clear and never concise.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2014
    Kidner's writing is almost poetic in its beauty. Though short in length, Kidner has an uncanny ability to get to the heart of the matter. If you're preaching or studying Ecclesiastes, this book will be a very helpful companion.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2014
    Such a great book to learn about Ecclesiastes with.