Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther
Volume 24
Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther
Volume 24
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Paperback / softback
£9.99
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 9780814628584
Number of Pages: 144
Published: 30/10/2013
Width: 15.2 cm
Height: 22.9 cm
Irene Nowell's lively and thoughtful exploration of these poetic and powerful books promises to ignite appreciation and understanding in the hearts and minds of readers.
The five books abound with vivid stories of faith. The Song of Songs, dedicated to Solomon, celebrates the wonder of human love. The book of Ruth, a masterpiece of storytelling, tells of two valiant women who move from emptiness to fullness, desolation to redemption. Lamentations, telling of the destruction of Jerusalem, recognizes that the Lord has struck and that only the Lord can heal. Ecclesiastes teaches the futility of vanity and storing up riches. The book of Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman and her uncle who, by their courage and wit, deliver the Jews from threatened genocide.
Gathered together and artfully explored, this volume offers readers a wealth of information to inspire deeper understanding of the human journey and God's presence in the lives of those who trust in him.
CONTENTS
Abbreviations 5
Introduction 7
THE SONG OF SONGS
Introduction 9
Text and Commentary 11
A Declaration of Love (Song of Songs 1:1-6) 11
A Conversation between the Lovers (Song of Songs 1:7–2:7) 12
Her Lover’s Visit Remembered (Song of Songs 2:8-17) 14
Loss and Discovery (Song of Songs 3:1-5) 17
Solomon’s Wedding Procession (Song of Songs 3:6-11) 18
The Beauty of the Woman (Song of Songs 4:1-11) 19
The Lover’s Garden (Song of Songs 4:12–5:1) 20
A Fruitless Search (Song of Songs 5:2-8) 21
The Lover Lost and Found (Song of Songs 5:9–6:3) 22
The Beauty of the Woman (Song of Songs 6:4-10) 24
Love’s Meeting (Song of Songs 6:11-12) 25
The Beauty of the Beloved (Song of Songs 7:1-6) 25
Love’s Desires (Song of Songs 7:7–8:4) 26
Reprise (Song of Songs 8:5-14) 28
THE BOOK OF RUTH
Introduction 31
Text and Commentary 33
Naomi in Moab (Ruth 1:1-18) 33
The Return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19-22) 35
The Meeting (Ruth 2:1-23) 36
Ruth Again Presents Herself (Ruth 3:1-18) 41
Boaz Marries Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22) 43
THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS
Introduction 48
Text and Commentary 50
The Desolation of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:1-22) 50
The Lord’s Wrath and Zion’s Ruin (Lamentations 2:1-22) 54
The Voice of a Suffering Individual (Lamentations 3:1-66) 58
Miseries of the Besieged City (Lamentations 4:1-22) 62
The Community’s Lament to the Lord (Lamentations 5:1-22) 68
THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES
Introduction 71
Text and Commentary 74
Setting the Theme (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11) 74
Qoheleth’s Investigation of Life (Ecclesiastes 1:12–6:9) 76
Qoheleth’s Conclusions (Ecclesiastes 6:10–11:6) 88
Poem on Youth and Old Age (Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8) 100
Epilogue (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14) 101
THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Introduction 103
Text and Commentary 105
Prologue (Esther A:1-17) 105
Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 1:1–2:23) 107
Haman’s Plot against the Jews (Esther 3:1-15; B:1-7) 113
Esther and Mordecai Plead for Help (Esther 4:1–5a; C:1–D:16) 117
Haman’s Downfall (Esther 5:b–8:2) 123
Jewish Victory and the Feast of Purim (Esther 8:3–9:23; E:1-24) 128
Epilogue: The Rise of Mordecai (Esther 9:24–10:3; F:1-11) 136
Review Aids and Discussion Topics 139
Index of Citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 142
Maps 143
Abbreviations 5
Introduction 7
THE SONG OF SONGS
Introduction 9
Text and Commentary 11
A Declaration of Love (Song of Songs 1:1-6) 11
A Conversation between the Lovers (Song of Songs 1:7–2:7) 12
Her Lover’s Visit Remembered (Song of Songs 2:8-17) 14
Loss and Discovery (Song of Songs 3:1-5) 17
Solomon’s Wedding Procession (Song of Songs 3:6-11) 18
The Beauty of the Woman (Song of Songs 4:1-11) 19
The Lover’s Garden (Song of Songs 4:12–5:1) 20
A Fruitless Search (Song of Songs 5:2-8) 21
The Lover Lost and Found (Song of Songs 5:9–6:3) 22
The Beauty of the Woman (Song of Songs 6:4-10) 24
Love’s Meeting (Song of Songs 6:11-12) 25
The Beauty of the Beloved (Song of Songs 7:1-6) 25
Love’s Desires (Song of Songs 7:7–8:4) 26
Reprise (Song of Songs 8:5-14) 28
THE BOOK OF RUTH
Introduction 31
Text and Commentary 33
Naomi in Moab (Ruth 1:1-18) 33
The Return to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19-22) 35
The Meeting (Ruth 2:1-23) 36
Ruth Again Presents Herself (Ruth 3:1-18) 41
Boaz Marries Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22) 43
THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS
Introduction 48
Text and Commentary 50
The Desolation of Jerusalem (Lamentations 1:1-22) 50
The Lord’s Wrath and Zion’s Ruin (Lamentations 2:1-22) 54
The Voice of a Suffering Individual (Lamentations 3:1-66) 58
Miseries of the Besieged City (Lamentations 4:1-22) 62
The Community’s Lament to the Lord (Lamentations 5:1-22) 68
THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES
Introduction 71
Text and Commentary 74
Setting the Theme (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11) 74
Qoheleth’s Investigation of Life (Ecclesiastes 1:12–6:9) 76
Qoheleth’s Conclusions (Ecclesiastes 6:10–11:6) 88
Poem on Youth and Old Age (Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:8) 100
Epilogue (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14) 101
THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Introduction 103
Text and Commentary 105
Prologue (Esther A:1-17) 105
Esther Becomes Queen (Esther 1:1–2:23) 107
Haman’s Plot against the Jews (Esther 3:1-15; B:1-7) 113
Esther and Mordecai Plead for Help (Esther 4:1–5a; C:1–D:16) 117
Haman’s Downfall (Esther 5:b–8:2) 123
Jewish Victory and the Feast of Purim (Esther 8:3–9:23; E:1-24) 128
Epilogue: The Rise of Mordecai (Esther 9:24–10:3; F:1-11) 136
Review Aids and Discussion Topics 139
Index of Citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 142
Maps 143
"Sr. Irene Nowell is an engaging, perceptive, articulate and astute teacher and reader of biblical texts. Her commentaries on the Megilloth display the literary artistry of the text, as well as the theological and spiritual riches to be found in them. One of Nowell's finest gifts is her ability to take complex and intricate ideas and express them in ways that are both engaging and enlightening. These commentaries provide gems of information and insight to enhance one's appreciation of these rich biblical texts." Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., Conception Abbey/Conception Seminary College "These particular biblical books are important because they deal with such perennial issues as love, marriage, immigration, tyranny, persecution, war and defeat, as well as our varied religious attitudes toward them, ranging from skepticism and doubt to faith and trust. Important as they are, though, they are not easy to read. Nowell brings an eye for narrative and poetic detail to deal with difficulties in these texts, to explain unfamiliar customs, and to open up the meaning of these books. With her ability to clarify issues by examples that are close to home, readers will have a new appreciation for these texts." Fr. Tom McCreesh, OP Professor of Old Testament Studies Providence College
