Ecclesiastes, an Earth Bible Commentary: Qoheleth's Eternal Earth by Marie Turner

Abstract

Reviewed by: Ecclesiastes, an Earth Bible Commentary: Qoheleth's Eternal Earth by Marie Turner Deryn Guest Marie Turner, Ecclesiastes, an Earth Bible Commentary: Qoheleth's Eternal Earth (Earth Bible Commentary; London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2017). Pp. 131. $75.99. This is an important commentary that challenges readers to realign their priorities so that ecojustice becomes the primary yardstick for the use and interpretation of biblical texts. It belongs to a commentary series that broadly adopts an interpretative vantage point that attempts to speak on behalf of the Earth and its nonhuman occupants. For those not familiar with the Earth Bible Commentary series, some further clarification of what is meant by the Earth's "voice" is needed, especially as Turner's readers are enjoined to reflect on how their acts of biblical interpretation can help "envisage a new world where Earth can make its voice heard" (p. 11). Unless one is already familiar with the work of Norman C. Habel, who pioneered the Earth Bible Project, how one gains access to a distinguishable voice of the Earth other than through the biblical narrator's voice and/or the commentator's views remains somewhat unclear. T. suggests that the Earth's scarcely discernible voice can be detected amid/between the ponderings of Qoheleth. For example, "When Qoheleth claims that it is a world crooked and lacking, he is not passing judgement on God or Earth. Instead Qoheleth's Earth might counsel us to live within the uncertainty, enjoy what can be enjoyed and endure what is painful" (p. 35). This counsel thus emerges from the play between the narrator's voice and the reality of the created world he describes, but how this actually works seems rather mystical. Readers might appreciate more critical discussion of how this hermeneutic strategy operates and greater acknowledgment of the role of the commentary writer in producing the Earth voice. In chap. 2, for example, S. comments on the horticultural practices of the book's persona—King Solomon. The descriptions of his vineyards, gardens, trees, and so forth, demonstrate, in her view, "care for Earth's commodities so that waste does not occur. Solomon does not treat Eternal Earth as a limitless resource, but by his works he ensures there is plenty to be left for the generations that come after him" (p. 38). Maybe so, but readers might wonder if Solomon would have behaved so responsibly had he not been limited by [End Page 717] the tools and human labor resources of his time. T. sees the best in the text's descriptions and uses the material as a springboard to comment appreciatively on the sourcing of fresh, seasonal, local food without the use of harmful plastic packaging. She acknowledges Solomon's pursuit of wealth, but the verdict that this is ultimately a chasing after the wind is left for the reader to ponder. An introductory chapter sets out the specific goals of the commentary, gives a preliminary comment on the recurring refrains of the text, and provides a summary of current views on date and context. The subsequent eight chapters share a common structure: the NRSV translation of the passage to be discussed, a summary of contents, a (very) short outline of structure, an analysis that highlights the key themes of the passage, closing with a few pages dedicated to "hearing Qoheleth's Earth." T. provides a commentary on the whole text, but there is justified focus on two key concepts: the way that the Earth is represented as standing forever, and the oft-repeated but variously translated references to hebel (vanity, futility, enigma, breath). The voice of Earth is contrasted with the voice of the economy. The latter is a persistent, practical, occasionally mocking voice. T. interprets it as the voice "of human fortune," which encourages building, farming, and earthly endeavors but "reminds us that life is full of caprices and vagaries, which cause distress when people are left without economic benefits" (p. 119). The economy's voice is "subtly in conflict" with the voice of Earth, and T. believes the tension is "the source of Qoheleth's perplexities. On the one hand Qoheleth believes he has been given the legitimation by God...