This morning I have consulted Dummelow (A Commentary on the Holy Bible*). His Introduction to the book of Ecclesiastes is valuable.
Dummelow points out that in Ecclesiastes God is portrayed only as the Judge, with no reference to His tenderness and readiness to succour and sustain. He says: “The book thus shows the low-water mark of the religious thoughts of God-fearing Jews in pre-Christian times” (p. 391). And: “The book thus emphasises in a way not found in the rest of the OT (Old Testament), the lack of a clear vision of a future life which had not yet been brought to light by Christ” (ibid).
Finally, Dummelow's Introduction’s last word: “The outcome of the whole book is summed up [in] 12:8-14” (p. 392) -- the last verses of the whole book. It is suggested that this “epilogue” could have been added by an editor. Eccl. 12:13 seems to have been beloved by Mary Baker Eddy.
The KJV has:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Science and Health attends to it on the last page of the chapter Science of Being (page 340). Here it is translated as:
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: love God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole of man in His image and likeness.”
Joyce Voysey
* Ed. BibleSupport.com explains that Dummelow's Bible Commentary was "compiled by 40 Bible Scholars and edited by Dummelow". The reviewer commends the book's "completeness and conciseness" as well as its combination of "the highest religious reverence with exact scientific rigor". Christian Science Society Redcliffe has one copy of this book for sale, as well as a copy for use in the study area.
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