Expositor's Bible: The Book of Ecclesiastes

"Expositor's Bible: The Book of Ecclesiastes" by Samuel Cox is a detailed examination of the biblical book Ecclesiastes. The work gives readers both a fresh translation and a deep understanding of Ecclesiastes by exploring the book's purpose, author, and the time in which it was written. The author tackles the timeless search for meaning found in Ecclesiastes, suggesting that finding happiness really means respecting God. The commentary starts with an introduction from the editor, who thinks about how important Ecclesiastes has been throughout history and why it's being updated now. Cox talks about misunderstandings about who wrote the book and who it was for, clearing up the common error that it's a pessimistic work. Rather, he presents Ecclesiastes as wise advice about finding what's most important in life, showing that real happiness comes from enjoying a balanced existence and building a relationship with God, not from chasing after stuff. The early parts of the commentary also describe the social and political world, maybe around the Babylonian exile, in which Ecclesiastes was probably written, giving clues about the struggles of the Jewish people back then.