Bible Commentaries
Bible commentaries vary greatly in quality and purpose. Some Bible commentaries are devotional helps, others emphasize textual criticism, and still others aim for a balanced approach to relevant issues of biblical interpretation. At Christianbook.com, they have a great EasyFind Commentary Search Engine to help you find Bible commentaries according to testament and various other characteristics. For my part, I generally first look at and can recommend most Bible commentaries found in the following series:
Anchor Bible
Coverage: Old & New Testament, Apocrypha, Reference Library, Dictionary
Approach: Textual Criticism and Historical-Critical
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic
Publisher: Doubleday (Secular)
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I Chronicles 1-9 by Gary Knoppers
An important update to Meyers' Chronicles commentary, this volume reveals the new depth of research presently ongoing in the book of Chronicles. Having reviewed a draft copy, I know first-hand that this Bible commentary is an authoritative critical work on Chronicles.
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Browse through the Anchor Bible series or check out these recommended titles:
Berit Olam, Sacra Pagina
Coverage: Old & New Testament respectively
Approach: Literary Analysis
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic, Pastor, Layperson
Publisher: Liturgical Press (Catholic)
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1 Kings by Jerome T. Walsh
This commentary is a wonderful literary reading of a book full of great narratives, most notably those in the Elijah-Elisha cycle. The literary analysis is, on the whole, careful and insightful. This is certainly a welcome break from the text-critical or historical-critical readings that tend to dominate exposition on the Book of Kings.
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Browse through the Berit Olam or Sacra Pagina series or check out these recommended titles:
Hermeneia
Coverage: Old & New Testament, Apocryphal & Non-Canonical Books, Q
Approach: Textual Criticism
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic
Publisher: Fortress Press (Lutheran)
Browse through the Hermeneia series or check out these featured titles:
Interpretation
Coverage: Old & New Testament
Approach: Theological
Original Languages: No
Audience: Pastor, Layperson
Publisher: Fortress Press (Lutheran)
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Isaiah 1-39 by Christopher Seitz
This commentary allows the interpretation of Isaiah 1-39 to be guided by the final form of the whole book of Isaiah. It focuses on the theological aspects of Isaiah, giving special attention to the role of literary context.
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Browse through the Interpretation series or check out these featured titles:
New International Commentary
Coverage: Old & New Testament
Approach: Historical-Critical and Theological
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic, Pastor, Layperson
Publisher: Eerdmans (Reformed)
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The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 1-24 by Daniel Block
To most modern readers the book of Ezekiel is a mystery. This excellent Bible commentary by Daniel Block tries to make sense of the obscure and eccentric prophet Ezekiel. Characteristic of this series, Block blends critical research with theological reflection.
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Browse through the Old Testament or New Testament titles, check out the New International Commentary Set or these featured titles:
New Interpreter's Bible
Coverage: General Introductory Articles, Old & New Testament, Apocrypha
Approach: Various Critical Methods
Original Languages: No
Audience: Pastor, Layperson
Publisher: Abingdon Press (Methodist)
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The New Interpreter's Bible, Volume III: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Tobit, Judith
New Interpreter's Bible Commentaries are among the best for lay and pastoral audiences. This volume includes contributions from Choon-Leong Seow, Leslie Allen, Ralph W. Klein, Sidnie W. Crawford, Irene Nowell, and Lawrence Willis.
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Purchase the complete New Interpreter's Bible series or check out these featured titles:
New Testament Library, Old Testament Library
Coverage: Old & New Testament, Biblical Theology, Introductions
Approach: Historical-Critical
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic, Pastor
Publisher: Westminster/John Knox Press (Presbyterian)
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I & II Chronicles by Sara Japhet
Until the release of Gary Knoppers' Anchor Bible Commentary on Chronicles, this was the standard on this oft-neglected or misunderstood book of the Bible. Japhet's commentary remains one of the leading works on Chronicles with excellent discussion and insights.
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Check out these other recommended titles:
Word Biblical Commentary
Coverage: Old & New Testament
Approach: Textual Criticism, Form-Critical, Historical-Critical and Theological
Original Languages: Yes
Audience: Academic, Pastor
Publisher: Word Books (Evangelical)
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Genesis 1-15 by Gordon J. Wenham
Eminently readable and overall excellent treatment of the Book of Genesis. Word Biblical Commentary is one of the most consistent series and this title contributes to that impression with its careful attention to literary style and semantic meanings.
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Browse through the Word Biblical Commentary series or check out these recommended titles:
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