James L. Crenshaw examines the mysteries of Ecclesiastes: the speaker's identity, his emphasis on hidden truths, and his argument of insubstantiality and futility. While exploring Ecclesiastes and its enigmatic author, Crenshaw joins the debate over the lasting relevance of Qoheleth's teachings and Ecclesiastes' place in the biblical canon.

James L. Crenshaw is one of the leading scholars in Old Testament wisdom literature. He was Robert L. Flowers Professor of the Old Testament at Duke University Divinity School from 1987 to 2008. A Guggenheim fellow, his books include The Psalms: An Introduction, Defending God: Biblical Responses to the Problem of Evil, and Prophets, Sages, and Poets.