New Interpreter's Bible Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach

This commentary series is the best I have found. I like the two translations that are used and the background for each passage. Excellent exegetical tool!

These are a thoughtful and comprehensive study of the bible. Both the old and the new interpreters bibles are classics for their ages. But most of all you get 4-7 books for the price of 1 or 2. But you must be a serious student and willing to put both heart and mind into the study. Give it a try and I am sure that average christian, pastor or scholar like me can find insight and reawakening.

The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall.The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series.The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable. --Volume V--The fifth volume of the New Interpreter's Bible is the volume that contains the Wisdom Literature tradition in the Hebrew Scriptures. After an introductory essay concerning Wisdom Literature, the volume continues with the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiates and the Song of Songs, as well as the apocrypal books of Wisdom and Sirach.Raymond C. Van Leeuwen of Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, provides a commentary on Proverbs. W. Sibley Towner of Union Theological Seminary in Virginia looks at the book of Ecclesiates. Renita Weems of Vanderbilt Divinity School addresses the Song of Songs. Michael Kolarcik, SJ, of Regis College, Toronto looks at the apocryphal book of Wisdom, and James Crenshaw of Duke University finishes the volume with a commentary on the book of Sirach.Richard Clifford of the Weston School of Theology provides a general introduction to Wisdom Literature. In this article, Clifford examines parallels with Wisdom traditions in other ancient Near Eastern cultures, and finds evidence in Mesopotamia, Egypt and the rest of the Levant in some abundance. He continues by examining the social context, the main structures and teachings, and later developments in Judaism and Christianity based upon Wisdom traditions. `The wisdom books remind readers that one must take hold of life as both gift and task, that there are many possibilities but also profound limits, and that honest observation and fi

Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know whom to trust. You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts. Each text is broken down into discrete units followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading. Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.