Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Ecclesiastes -- Author's preface -- Introduction -- What is man? -- What is the advantage? -- But is everything temporary? -- The ancient Near East on brevity in life -- The Old Testament on brevity in life -- Metaphorical uses for hebel -- A biblical constellation of words describing transience -- Significance of time in Ecclesiastes -- The extent of temporariness in our lives -- Author and date -- Other themes -- Wisdom generally -- Advantages in life -- Joy and pleasure -- Wise, enjoyable effort -- God's sovereignty -- Realism -- History of interpretation -- Overview -- Conservative interpretation -- Critical interpretation -- Interpretation of hebel -- Genre -- Philosophical -- Cosmopolitan -- Poetic or proverbial -- Oratorical -- Autobiographical -- Vernacular -- Language -- Three 'influence' theories -- Text -- Structure -- Text and commentary -- The Song of Songs -- Author's preface -- Introduction -- Canonicity -- Date -- Authorship -- Interpretational approaches -- Non-literal approaches -- Typological approaches -- Dramatic approaches -- Cultic approaches -- Literal approaches -- Literature -- Unity -- Structure -- Theme -- Purpose -- Text and commentary.