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RECOMMENDED OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARIES by the Biblical Studies Faculty of Princeton Theological Seminary
(OT list updated 2010; NT list updated 2017)
Recommending commentaries on biblical books is something like recommending restaurants in a
large city. Possibilities are nearly endless and depend in large measure on one’s taste and
interests. But given a commitment to excellent critical scholarship and interpretation that serves
theological interpretation for the life of the church, here are a few recommendations. It needs to
be said that there are many more very good options than we can list here so none of these
recommendations should be taken as necessarily excluding other candidates. So let’s begin our
restaurant tour of commentaries.
COMMENTARIES/MONOGRAPHS ON INDIVIDUAL BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis. For the book of Genesis, two excellent theological commentaries include Walter
Brueggemann, Genesis, Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1982) and, more recently,
Terence Fretheim, “Genesis” in The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 1 (Abingdon, 1994). I
recommend Claus Westermann’s three-volume commentary on Genesis for those interested in a
full range of discussion of critical issues, with emphasis on the European tradition of scholarship.
Another example of a more in-depth critical and theological commentary is Gordon Wenham,
Genesis 1-15 and Genesis 16-50, Volumes 1 and 2, Word Biblical Commentary (Word, 1987,
1994). Literary scholar Robert Alter’s Genesis, Translation and Commentary (Norton, 1996)
offers a translation that seeks to keep close to the original Hebrew and a commentary with
literary sensibilities.
Exodus. A standard critical and theological commentary on Exodus remains Brevard
Childs, The Book of Exodus, Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox. 1974). Childs
includes a full range of discussions on historical-critical matters, larger Old Testament context,
New Testament context, and history of exegesis. It has weathered well over 30 years. Good
theological commentaries include Walter Brueggemann, “Exodus” in The New Interpreter’s
Bible, Volume 1 (Abingdon, 1994) and Terence Fretheim, Exodus, Interpretation (Westminster
John Knox, 1991).
Mention should also be made of Waldemar Janzen, Exodus, Believers Church Bible
Commentary (Herald, 2000) and, for those desiring some very heavy-lifting in their study of the
scholarship on Exodus, Cornelius Houtman, Exodus, Volumes 1-3, Historical Commentary on
the Old Testament (Kok, 1993, 1996, 2000) (excellent and detailed reviews of scholarship and
history of interpretation).
For those desiring more heavy-lifting in their study of Exodus, Thomas Dozeman's Exodus,
Eerdman's Critical Commentary (Eerdman's, 2009) is very well done and incorporates the latest
in Pentateuchal scholarship. One should also mention Cornelius Houtman, Exodus, Volumes 1-3,
Historical Commentary on the Old Testament (Kok, 1993, 1996, 2000) (detailed reviews of
scholarship and history of interpretation) and William Propp's two-volume Anchor Yale Bible
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commentary on Exodus 1-18 (Yale, 1999) and Exodus 19-40 (Yale, 2006) (extensive notes on
translation and critical issues).
Leviticus. This sometime overlooked book has been blessed by several recent and
excellent commentaries. One fine theological commentary is Samuel Balentine, Leviticus,
Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 2003). Jacob Milgrom is a Jewish scholar who has spent
a lifetime studying Leviticus. He published a three-volume commentary on Leviticus in the
Anchor Bible series, but he has also released a more compact but still thorough one-volume
commentary: Leviticus: A Book of Ritual and Ethics (Augsburg Fortress, 2004). One could also
note two other possibilities from a more evangelical perspective: Gordon Wenham, Leviticus
(New International Commentary on the Old Testament) (Eerdmans, 1979) and Walter Kaiser,
“Leviticus,” in The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 1 (Abingdon, 1994).
Numbers. One scholar some decades ago called the book of Numbers the “junk room of
the Bible” since he could not make sense of what seemed to be the disorganized jumble of genres
and texts in Numbers. Fortunately, several recent commentaries have sought to revise that view
with attention to the careful structure and theological fruit of this sometimes neglected book.
Options include Dennis Olson, Numbers, Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1996);
Timothy Ashley, Numbers (New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Eerdmans,
1996); Katharine Sakenfeld, Journeying with God, A Commentary on the Book of Numbers
(Eerdmans, 1995), and Jacob Milgrom, JPS Torah Commentary on Numbers (Jewish Publication
Society, 1990) among many others.
Deuteronomy. The rich and theologically important book of Deuteronomy is well
represented among commentaries. A sound critical and exegetical study is Richard Nelson,
Deuteronomy, Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox, 2002). An in-depth study of
Deuteronomy that includes some history of its interpretation in history and culture is Mark
Biddle, Deuteronomy (Smyth & Helwys, 2003). Good theological commentaries include Patrick
Miller, Deuteronomy, Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1991); J. G. McConville,
Deuteronomy: Apollos Old Testament Commentary (Intervarsity Press, 2002); Walter
Brueggemann, Deuteronomy, Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries (Abingdon, 2001); and
Dennis Olson, Deuteronomy and the Death of Moses, A Theological Reading (Wipf & Stock,
2005).
Joshua. A fine critical and exegetical study of Joshua is Richard Nelson, Joshua, Old
Testament Library (Westminster John, Knox, 1997), now available in paperback. L. Daniel
Hawk, Joshua, Berit Olam, Studies in Hebrew Narrative and Poetry (Liturgical Press, 2001)
offers a more literary approach to Joshua.
Judges. Recommendations for this Old Testament account of Israel’s judges like
Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson include Dennis Olson, “Judges,” The New Interpreter’s
Bible, Volume 2 (Abingdon, 1998); J. Clinton McCann, Judges, Interpretation (Westminster
John Knox, 2002); and David Gunn, Judges, Blackwell Biblical Commentaries (Blackwell,
2005).
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1-2 Samuel Commentaries: For the theological interpretation of 1-2 Samuel, start with
Walter Brueggemann’s First and Second Samuel (Interpretation, 1990) or Eugene H. Peterson’s
First and Second Samuel (Westminster Bible Companion, 1999). Antony F. Campbell has
published a much more recent set of commentaries (1 Samuel, 2003; 2 Samuel, 2005) in the
FOTL series. Campbell is sensitive to issues of the book’s development without losing sight of
the fact that this text is a part of the Jewish-Christian canon. Normally, the Old Testament
Library is a good theological series. However, for Samuel, the OTL volume by Hans Wilhelm
Hertzberg (I & II Samuel) may overwhelm the pastor with too much historical and compositional
data, although students with a more historically-oriented interest will find it helpful for tracing
the lines of argumentation back through early twentieth-century European thought. Kyle
McCarter’s very technical two book series is an invaluable resource for advanced students
looking for text-critical data (I Samuel, 1980; II Samuel, 1984; Anchor Bible), and Ralph Klein’s
1 Samuel (Word Bible Commentary, 1983) is a good semi-technical volume in the same vein as
Campbell’s.
1-2 Kings. Recommendations for this theological account of Israel’s history, from the
death of David and the accession of Solomon in the 10th BCE to the release of Judah’s exiled
king Jehoiachin in the 6th BCE, include: Choon-Leong Seow, “1-2 Kings,” The New
Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 3 (Abingdon, 1999), an excellent literary and theological
commentary; Richard Nelson, First and Second Kings, Interpretation (Westminster John Knox,
1987), which offers rich theological insights with pastors in mind; Terence Fretheim, First and
Second Kings, WBC (Westminster John Knox, 2000); and Walter Brueggemann, 1 and 2 Kings:
A Commentary (Smyth and Helwys Publishing, 2000).
Isaiah. For most of the twentieth century, scholars have tended to treat the book of Isaiah
in three parts—First Isaiah (chapters 1-39), Second Isaiah (chapters 40-55), and Third Isaiah
(chapters 56-66). More recently, however, some commentators have deemed it important to read
the book as a whole, regardless of the different origins of the parts. In this mold are the works of
John Goldingay in the New International Biblical Commentary series (Hendrickson, 2001) and
Brevard Childs in the Old Testament Library series (Westminster/John Knox, 2001). Also recent
are the commentaries that focus on the history of the Bible and its reception. In this category are
the Church’s Bible, with Isaiah edited by Robert L. Wilkens with Angela R. Christman and
Michael J. Hollreich (Eerdmans, 2007) and John Sawyer’s The Fifth Gospel: Isaiah in the
History of Christianity (Cambridge University Press, 1996).
Jeremiah. For basic textual, critical and exegetical issues, a recent resource is Leslie
Allen, Jeremiah (Old Testament Library)(Westminster John Knox, 2008). Two fine theological
commentaries on Jeremiah and the God of Jeremiah areWalter Brueggemann, A Commentary
on Jeremiah: Exile and Homecoming (Eerdmans, 1998) andTerence Fretheim, Jeremiah: Smyth
and Helwys Bible Commentary (Smyth and Helwyx, 2002).
Ezekiel. Daniel I. Block. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Erdmans, 1997. A
useful work in the evangelical stream. Moshe Greenberg. Ezekiel 1-37 : a New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1983, 1997. The first major
commentary to attend to the literary features of Ezekiel and to consider the book holistically,
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with less attention to redactional arguments. Still a very valuable resource with excellent
insights. Robert W. Jenson. Ezekiel. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Grand
Rapids: Brazos, 2009. Written by a systematic theologian, it offers insightful theological
reflections on the text. Best used in conjunction with a more traditional commentary. Paul Joyce.
Ezekiel: A Commentary. New York; London, T & T Clark, 2007. Summarizes scholarly
positions very effectively. Good resource. Margaret Odell, Ezekiel. Smyth & Helwys Bible
Commentary. Macon, GA: Smith & Helwys, 2005. Very user friendly format, with attention to
some of the history of interpretation. Steven Tuell. Ezekiel. NIBC. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson,
2009. Thoughtful commentary with a slightly evangelical perspective. Walther Zimmerli.
Ezekiel : a Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. Hermeneia. 2 vols. Philadelphia:
Fortress, 1979-1983. This English translation of the original 1969 German is a classic,
magisterial commentary that attends to the minute details of Ezekiel’s text, which one expects
from Hermeneia commentaries. Outdated in some ways (e.g., intense focus on redactional
arguments), it is still an important resource.
Hosea. Francis I. Andersen, David Noel Freedman. Hosea : A New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980. Hans Walter
Wolff. Hosea: a Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Hosea. Hermeneia. Philadelphia:
Fortress, 1974.
Joel. John Barton. Joel and Obadiah. Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster
John Knox, 2001. By a first-rate biblical scholar.
Amos. Jörg Jeremias. The Book of Amos : a Commentary. Old Testament Library.
Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1998. James L. Mays. Amos: A Commentary. Old
Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1969. Predecessor to Jeremias’ commentary, this
venerable tome is excellent.
Obadiah. John Barton. Joel and Obadiah. Old Testament Library. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox, 2001.
William P. Brown. Obadiah Through Malachi. Westminster Bible Companion. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox 1996. The author is a wonderful interpreter of biblical texts.
Jonah: William P. Brown. Obadiah Through Malachi. Westminster Bible Companion.
Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1996. Daniel Smith-Christopher. Jonah, Jesus, and Other
Good Coyotes : Speaking Peace to Power in the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 2007. The author is
a biblical scholar, and though not a commentary, this book is thought-provoking.
“Minor Prophets”. For these shorter prophetic books, three commentaries covering
these books as a group are particularly recommended for their theological emphasis. These are
The New Interpreter’s Bible (NIB) vol. VII (Abingdon, 1996), various authors listed below under
individual books; William P. Brown, Obadiah through Malachi, Westminster Bible Companion,
(Westminster John Knox, 1996); and Elizabeth Achtemeier Nahum – Malachi, Interpretation
(John Knox 1986). Brown highlights general theological and ethical themes, while Achtemeier
makes more explicit reference to Christian doctrines and NT passages.
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Micah. The NIB author (see above) is Daniel Simundson; see also Brown, above. Juan I.
Alfaro, Justice and Loyalty: A Commentary on the Book of Micah, International Theological
Commentary (Eerdmans 1989) approaches Micah from a liberationist perspective. James
Limburg’s Hosea-Micah, Interpretation (John Knox, 1988) is theologically focused for teaching
and preaching. James L. Mays, Micah, Old Testament Library (Westminster, 1976) is a classic
with good balance of historical-critical information and theological insights. Also of interest to
the more technical user are Delbert Hillers in the Hermeneia series (Fortress, 1984) and Hans
Walter Wolff (tr. G. Stansel, Augsburg, 1990, from the 1982 German original).
Nahum. The NIB author (see above) is Francisco O. García-Treto; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. Julia Myers O’Brien, Nahum (Sheffield Academic/ Continuum, 2002) offers
a literary reading with focus on ethical questions, especially issues of gender and violence. J.J.M.
Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox
1991) provides an accessible presentation of textual issues, ancient Near Eastern backgrounds,
and literary forms.
Habakkuk. The NIB author (see above) is Theodore Hiebert; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. J.J.M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, Old Testament Library
(Westminster John Knox 1991) provides an accessible presentation of textual issues, ancient
Near Eastern backgrounds, and literary forms. Francis I. Anderson in the Anchor Bible series
(Doubleday, 2001) offers a much longer and more technical treatment.
Zephaniah. The NIB author (see above) is Robert A. Bennett; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. Adele Berlin in the Anchor Bible series (Doubleday 1994) incorporates both
modern critical scholarship and pre-modern Jewish interpretation. Marvin A. Sweeny (Augsburg
Fortress, 2003) offers a detailed text-critical and exegetical study in the Hermeneia series
tradition. J.J.M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, Old Testament Library
(Westminster John Knox 1991) provides an accessible presentation of textual issues, ancient
Near Eastern backgrounds, and literary forms.
Haggai. The NIB author (see above) is W. Eugene March; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P. gives a theologically focused reading for the
church in his Rebuilding with Hope: Haggai and Zechariah, International Theological
Commentary (Eerdmans, 1998). Since most scholars associate Zechariah chs 1-8 with the era of
Haggai, some commentary series combine these into a single volume. Representative is David
Petersen, Haggai and Zechariah 1-8, Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox 1984),
who provides detailed attention to the historical setting of these materials, along with literary
analysis. A lengthier and more technical treatment is available from Carol Meyers and Eric
Meyers, Haggai and Zechariah 1-8, Anchor Bible (Doubleday, 1987).
Zechariah. The NIB author (see above) is Ben. C. Ollenburger; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. Also theologically focused is Carroll Stuhlmueller, C.P., Rebuilding with
Hope: Haggai and Zechariah, International Theological Commentary (Eerdmans, 1998). The
book of Zechariah is in two quite distinct parts, chs. 1-8 and 9-14. As noted above under Haggai,
major commentary series combine the first half of Zechariah with the book of Haggai (see
6
listings above). The second half of Zechariah, chs 9-14, is sometimes correspondingly combined
with Malachi in one volume (see listing below).
Malachi. The NIB author (see above) is Eileen M. Schuller, O.S.U.; see also Brown and
Achtemeier, above. For a more detailed work, showing connections with Zechariah 9-14, see
David Petersen, Zechariah 9-14 and Malachi, Old Testament Library (Westminster John Knox,
1995).
Psalms: There are numerous commentaries on the Psalms. The most helpful for
preachers s are probably James Mays’s volume in the Interpretation series (John Knox, 1994)
and J. Clinton McCann’s contribution in the New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 4 (Abingdon,
1996). There are not many great commentaries that deal with the details of the Psalms. Erich
Zenger’s commentary in the Hermeneia series is the best of these, though only the volume on
Psalms 51-100 has appeared in English (Fortress, 2005). Also helpful is Hans-Joachim Kraus’s
commentary published originally in German but translated into English and published by
Fortress press in 1988-89. Not to be missed, though, not strictly a commentary is Patrick D.
Miller’s Interpreting the Psalms (Fortress, 1986).
Job. In recent years, a number of commentaries have been published that help the reader
appreciate the literary excellence and theological contributions of the book. Arguably the best
among these is Carol Newsom’s work in the New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IV (Abingdon,
1996). For a consistently sensitive theological reading of the book, Samuel E. Balentine’s
volume in the Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary series is without peer (Smyth and Helwys,
2006). Especially interesting in this work are the numerous forays into the reception history of
the book in literature, music, and the visual arts. Other noteworthy commentaries include David
J. A. Clines’s three-volume contribution in the Word Biblical Commentary series (Word, 1989-
2009) and Norman Habel’s volume in the Old Testament Library series (Westminster, 1985).
Proverbs. For detailed exegesis, there are now two important works: Michael V. Fox’s
two volumes in the Anchor Bible series (volume 1 by Doubleday, 2000; volume 2 by Yale
University Press, 2009) and Bruce K. Waltke’s two volumes in the New International
Commentary series (Eerdmans, 2004). The best theological treatments of the book are Raymond
van Leeuwen’s contribution in the New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume V (Abingdon, 1997) and
Christine Roy Yoder’s commentary in the Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries series
(Abingdon, 2009).
Ruth. On the book of Ruth, Katharine Sakenfeld, Ruth, Interpretation (Westminster John
Knox, 1999), considers the cultural diversity of readings of Ruth along with a sustained literary
and theological commentary. Andre LaCoque, Ruth (Augsburg Fortress, 2004), is a very recent
and thorough critical commentary with attention to issues of language, culture, and
interpretation. A different kind of commentary treatment is Ellen Davis and Margaret Adams
Parker, Who Are You, My Daughter: Reading Ruth through Image and Text (Westminster John
Knox, 2003) which offers a new translation, notes and a series of 20 artistic woodcuts that
interpret the book of Ruth through visual image along with the text.
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Another three-volume resource for commentaries on the lectionary preaching texts (Old
Testament, Gospels and Epistles) from the Revised Common Lectionary is The Lectionary
Commentary, Theological Exegesis for Sunday’s Texts (Eerdmans, 2001)/
Song of Songs. The Song is also now well served by good English language resources.
M. Pope’s behemoth of a commentary in the Anchor Bible series (Song of Songs [AB 7C; New
York: Doubleday, 1977]) remains a classic, idiosyncratic to be sure, but chalked full of all kinds
of delightful tidbits and still very much worth consulting. Two of the most well rounded
commentaries on the Song—both solid philologically and literarily inclined—are M. Fox’s The
Song of Songs and the and the Ancient Egyptian Love Songs (Madison: University of Wisconsin,
1985) and J. C. Exum’s Song of Songs (OTL; Louisville: WJK, 2005). R. Murphy’s slim volume
in the Hermeneia series (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1990) is also solid. For those with German, Y.
Zakovitch’s Das Hohelied (HThKAT; Freiburg: Herder, 2004) is highly recommend, especially
for his wonderful literary sensibility. O. Keel’s The Song of Songs (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994)
is notable for its use of iconography. There are two provocative attempts at a more literary
rendering of the Song: M. Falk, Love Lyrics from the Bible: A Translation and Literary Study of
the Song of Songs (Sheffield: Almond, 1982) and A. Bloch and C. Bloch, The Song of Songs: A
New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (New York: Random House, 1995). For a
sampling of recent feminist writing on the Song, see A. Brenner and C. Fontaine, The Song of
Songs: A Feminist Companion to the Bible (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 2000). Other recent
collections of essays on the Song include the July 2005 issue of the journal Interpretation and
Perspectives on the Song of Songs—Perspektiven der Hoheliedauslegung (ed. A. C. Hagedorn;
BZAW; Berlin: W. de Gruyter, 2005). For a brief overview of the Song, see F. W. Dobbs-
Allsopp, “Song of Songs” in The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, vol 5: S-Z (ed. K.
Doob Sakenfeld; Nashville: Abingdon, forthcoming 2009) and stay tuned for T. Linaflet’s
forthcomng contribution on the Song in the Berit Olam series.
Ecclesiastes. There used to be a dearth of good theological commentaries on
Ecclesiastes, but the situation has changed. The most detailed treatments of the book that also
pay attention to the theological issues are C. L. Seow’s commentary in the Anchor Bible series
(Yale University Press, 1997) and Craig Bartholomew’s work published by Baker Academic
Press in 2009. For pastors and lay people, William P. Brown’s volume in the Interpretation series
may be especially helpful.
Lamentations. Since 1991 and the publication of I. Provan’s contribution on
Lamentations in the New Century Bible Commentary series (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans),
Lamentations has been well served by some very fine commentaries in English. D. R. Hillers,
Lamentations (AB 7A; 2d rev ed; New York: Doubleday, 1992) remains the most philologically
rich commentary available (those with German may still usefully consult W. Rudolph’s
Klagelieder [KAT 17/3; Gütersloh, 1962], especially on text critical issues; now see also the text
critical comments by R. Schäfer in BHQ and B. Albrektson, Studies in the Text and Theology of
the Book of Lamentations [Lun,d 1963]). More literarily minded commentaries include, A.
Berlin, Lamentations (OTL; Louisville: WJK, 2002), F. W. Dobbs-Allsopp, Lamentations (IBC;
Louisville: WJK, 2002), and K. O’Connor, “Lamentations” in NIB VI, pp. 1011-72 (Nashville:
Abingdon, 2001)—the latter two probe relevant theological issues as well. Among notable recent
monographs on Lamentations, see C. Westermann, Lamentations: Issues and Interpretation
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(Minneapolis: Fortress, 1994), T. Linafelt, Surviving Lamentations (Chicago: University of
Chicago, 1999), K. O’Connor, Lamentations and the Tears of the World (Maryknoll: Orbis,
2002), C. Mandolfo, Daughter Zion Talks Back: A Dialogic Theology of the book of
Lamentations (Atlanta: SBL, 2007), C. Maier, Daughter Zion, Mother Zion: Gender, Space, and
the Sacred in Ancient Israel (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008), and W. Morrow, Protest Against
God: The Eclipse of a Biblical Tradition (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2006). Also keep an eye
out for E. Greenstein’s forthcoming contribution on Lamentations in the new JPS Torah series.
Ezra-Nehemiah. H. G. M. Williamson, Ezra, Nehemiah, WBC (Word, 1985) offers an
excellent interpretation of these books, with thorough discussion of contemporary scholarship.
Ralph Klein, “Ezra-Nehemiah,” The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 3 (Abingdon, 1999) is a
good hermeneutical resource for the preacher, as is Mark Thronveit, Ezra-Nehemiah,
Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1992).
Esther. The story of this biblical heroine has captured the imagination of Jews (and
Christians) over the centuries, and there are a number of commentaries that attend well to the
book’s literary dimension. Michael V. Fox, Character and Ideology in the Book of Esther
(University of S. Carolina Press, 1991) is a rich study that focuses on Esther as a literary work
and considers also the theological significance of a book that never mentions God. Jon D.
Levenson, Esther: A Commentary, OTL (Westminster John Knox, 1997) incorporates rabbinic
material in addition to standard historical-critical words. Sidnie White Crawford, “The Book of
Esther,” The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 3 (Abingdon, 1999) offers helpful reflections for
the preacher, including the story’s ethical implications for today.
Daniel. For heavy lifting in critical, textual and background material on the book of
Daniel, the standard remains John Collins, Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel
(Hermeneia) (Fortress, 1994). An older but very fin commentary by Louis Francis Hartman and
Alexander A. Di Lella , Daniel ([Anchor Bible] Garden City NJ: Doubleday, 1978) is also to be
highly recommended. Two insightful, reliable and theologically suggestive commentaries are W.
Sibley Towner, Daniel (Interpretation) (Westminster John Knox, 1984) and Leong Seow, Daniel
(Westminster Bible Companion)(Westminster John Knox, 2003).
1-2 Chronicles. Sara Japhet, I & II Chronicles: A Commentary, OTL (Westminster John
Knox, 1993) offers a thorough critical and exegetical study of these OT books. H.G. M.
Williamson, 1 and 2 Chronicles, NCB (Eerdmans, 1982) is another excellent and detailed
commentary that incorporates insights from his other work, Israel in the Books of Chronicles.
9
COMMENTARIES/MONOGRAPHS ON INDIVIDUAL BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
Matthew
Boring, Eugene. “The Gospel of Matthew: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 87-
505 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 8. Nashville: Abingdon,1995.
Davies, W. D., and Dale C. Allison, Jr. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel
According to Saint Matthew. 3 vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark,
1988–97.
Hagner, Donald. Matthew. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1993-95.
Harrington, Daniel. The Gospel of Matthew. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical, 2002.
Luz, Ulrich. Matthew 1-7: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1989.
___. Matthew 8–20: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001.
______. Matthew 21-28: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress: 2005.
Mark
Black, C. Clifton. Mark. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 2011.
Boring, Eugene. Mark. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
Collins, Adela. Mark: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
Donahue, John R., and Daniel J. Harrington. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville:
Liturgical, 2002.
Edwards, James R. The Gospel According to Mark. Pillar New Testament Commentary Series.
Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
Hooker, Morna D. A Commentary on the Gospel According to St Mark. Black's New Testament
Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991.
Juel, Donald H. The Gospel of Mark. Interpreting Biblical Texts. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
Marcus, Joel. Mark 1–8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible
27. New York and London: Doubleday, 2000.
Marcus, Joel. Mark 8–16: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible
27A. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009.
Moloney, Francis. Mark: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2004.
Luke
Bovon, Francois. Luke 1. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002.
_______. Luke 2. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013.
_______. Luke 3. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2012.
Culpepper, R. Alan. “The Gospel of Luke: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 1-
490 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 9. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Gospel According to Luke. 2 vols. Anchor Bible. Garden City:
Doubleday, 198l, 1985.
Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. New International Commentary on the New Testament.
Grand Rapids, Mich., and Cambridge, U.K.: Eerdmans, 1997.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1991.
Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. Grand Rapids, MI:
Eerdmans, 1978.
Tannehill, Robert C. Luke. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
1996.
10
John
Ashton, John. Understanding the Fourth Gospel. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Barrett, Charles Kingsley. The Gospel According to St. John. 2d ed. Philadelphia: Westminster,
1978.
Brown, Raymond E. The Gospel According to John. 2 vols. Anchor Bible. Garden City:
Doubleday, l966, 1970.
Bultmann, Rudolf. The Gospel of John: A Commentary. Oxford: Blackwell, 1971.
Charlesworth, James H. The Beloved Disciple: Whose Witness Validates the Gospel of John?
Valley Forge, PA: Trinity Press International, 1995.
Culpepper, R. Alan. Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Literary Design. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 1983.
Koester, Craig. Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel: Mystery, Meaning, Community. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 2003.
Martyn, J. Louis. History and Theology in the Fourth Gospel. New York: Harper & Row, 1968.
Moloney, Francis. The Gospel of John. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1998.
O’Day, Gail. “The Gospel of John: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 491-865 in
The New Interpreter’s Bible 9. Nashville: Abingdon,1995.
Schnackenburg, Rudolf. The Gospel According to St. John. 3 vols. New York: Crossroad
[Seabury], 1980, 1982.
Smith, D. Moody. John. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.
Acts
Barrett, Charles Kingsley. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. 2
vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994, 1998.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Acts of the Apostles: A New Translation with Introduction and
Commentary. Anchor Bible. New York and London: Doubleday, 1998.
Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. Acts. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
2003.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Acts of the Apostles. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press,
1992.
Pervo, Richard. Acts. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.
Spencer, F. Scott. Journeying through Acts: A Literary-Cultural Reading. Peabody, MA:
Hendrickson, 2004.
Romans
Achtemeier, Paul. Romans. Interpretation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1985.
Byrne, Brendan. Romans. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996.
Cranfield, Charles E. B. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. 2
vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1975, 1979.
Dunn, J.D.G. Romans. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1988.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Romans: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor
Bible 33. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
Jewett, Robert. Romans. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
Käsemann, Ernst. Commentary on Romans. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1980.
Keck, Leander. Romans. Abingdon New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005.
11
Moo, Douglas. The Epistle to the Romans. New International Commentary on the New
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Wright, N. T. “The Letter to the Romans: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 393-
770 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 10. Nashville: Abingdon, 2002.
I Corinthians
Barrett, Charles Kingsley. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Harper's New Testament
Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, 1968.
Fee, Gordon D. The First Epistle to the Corinthians. New International Commentary on the New
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
Hays, Richard B. First Corinthians. Interpretation. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1997.
Sampley, J. Paul. “The First Letter to the Corinthians: Introduction, Commentary, and
Reflections.” Pp. 771-1003 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 10. Nashville: Abingdon, 2002.
Thiselton, Anthony C. The First Epistle to the Corinthians: A Commentary on the Greek Text.
New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
II Corinthians
Barrett, Charles Kingsley. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians. Harper's New Testament
Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, l973.
Furnish, Victor Paul. II Corinthians. Anchor Bible. Garden City: Doubleday, 1984.
Lambrecht, Jan. Second Corinthians. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical, 1999.
Matera, Frank J. II Corinthians: A Commentary. New Testament Library. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox, 2003.
Sampley, J. Paul. “The Second Letter to the Corinthians: Introduction, Commentary, and
Reflections.” Pp. 2-180 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.
Thrall, Margaret E. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Second Epistle to the
Corinthians. 2 vols. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1994, 2000.
Galatians
Burton, Ernest de Witt. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians.
International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1962.
Cousar. Charles B. Galatians. Interpretation. Atlanta: John Knox, 1982.
Dunn, James D.G. The Epistle to the Galatians. Black’s New Testament Commentary. Peabody,
MA: Hendrickson, 1993.
Ebeling, Gerhard. The Truth of the Gospel: An Exposition of Galatians. Philadelphia: Fortress,
1985.
Hays, Richard. B. The Faith of Jesus Christ: An Investigation of the Narrative Substructure of
Galatians 3:1-4:11. Chico, CA: Scholars Press, 1983.
Hays, Richard B. “The Letter to the Galatians: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp.
183-348 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.
Longenecker, Richard. Galatians. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1990.
Martyn, J. Louis. Galatians: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor
Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1997.
Matera, Frank. Galatians. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1992.
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Ephesians
Best, Ernest. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on Ephesians. International Critical
Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1998.
Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1990.
MacDonald, Margaret Y. Colossians and Ephesians. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical,
2000.
Muddiman, John. The Epistle to the Ephesians. Black’s New Testament Commentary. Peabody,
MA: Hendrickson, 2004.
Perkins, Pheme. Ephesians. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
1997.
Philippians
Bockmuehl, Markus. The Epistle to the Philippians. Black’s New Testament Commentary.
Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998.
Cousar, Charles. Philippians and Philemon. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster
John Knox, 2009.
Fee, Gordon D. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. New International Commentary on the New
Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
Hooker, Morna D. “The Letter to the Philippians: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.”
Pp. 469-549 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.
Osiek, Carolyn. Philippians, Philemon. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville:
Abingdon, 2000.
Colossians [see also under Ephesians and Philemon]
Dunn, James D. G. The Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon. New International Greek
Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996.
Hay, David M. Colossians. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
2000.
Lincoln, Andrew T. “The Letter to the Colossians: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.”
Pp. 553-669 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.
Pokorny, Petr. Colossians: A Commentary. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1991.
Schweizer, Eduard. The Letter to the Colossians:A Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1982.
Thompson, Marianne Meye. Colossians and Philemon. Two Horizons. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2005.
I, II Thessalonians
Gaventa, Beverly Roberts. First and Second Thessalonians. Interpretation. Louisville: John
Knox, 1998.
Furnish, Victor. 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries.
Nashville: Abingdon, 2007.
Malherbe, Abraham J. The Letters to the Thessalonians: A New Translation with Introduction
and Commentary. Anchor Bible. New York and London: Doubleday, 2000.
Marshall, I. Howard. I and II Thessalonians. New Century Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1983.
Richard, Earl J. First and Second Thessalonians. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press,
1995.
13
Wanamaker, Charles A. Commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. New International Greek
Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.
I, II Timothy and Titus
Bassler, Jouette M. 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries.
Nashville: Abingdon, 1996.
Collins, Raymond F. I & II Timothy and Titus: A Commentary. New Testament Library.
Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2002.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The First and Second Letters to Timothy. A New Translation with
Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. New York and London: Doubleday, 2001.
Marshall, I Howard and P. H. Towner. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral
Epistles. International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1999.
Quinn, Jerome D. The Letter to Titus. A New Translation with Notes and Commentary, and An
Introduction to Titus, I and II Timothy, The Pastoral Epistles. Anchor Bible. New York:
Doubleday, 1990.
Philemon [see also under Colossians]
Barth, Markus and H. Blanke. The Letter to Philemon: A New Translation with Notes and
Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
Felder, Cain Hope. “The Letter to Philemon: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp.
883-905 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 11. Nashville: Abingdon, 2000.
Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Letter to Philemon: A New Translation with Introduction and
Commentary. Anchor Bible. New York and London: Doubleday, 2000.
Osiek, Carolyn. See under Philippians (2000).
Hebrews
Attridge, Harold W. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989.
Ellingworth, Paul. The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New
International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. Hebrews. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox,
2006.
Koester, Craig R. Hebrews: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor
Bible. New York and London: Doubleday, 2001.
James
Allison, Jr., Dale C. James. International Critical Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2013.
Davids, Peter. Commentary on James. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. The Letter of James. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1995.
___. “The Letter of James: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 175-225 in The
New Interpreter’s Bible 12. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
Laws, Sophie. The Epistle of James. Harper's New Testament Commentaries. San Francisco:
Harper & Row, 1980.
Sleeper, C. Freeman. James. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
1998.
14
I Peter
Achtemeier, Paul J. 1 Peter: A Commentary on the First Epistle of Peter. Hermeneia.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
Bartlett, David L. “The First Letter of Peter: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp.
227-319 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 12. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
Boring, M. Eugene. 1 Peter. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon,
1999.
Elliott, John H. 1 Peter: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible.
New York and London: Doubleday, 2000.
Goppelt, Leonhard. A Commentary on I Peter. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.
Senior, Donald. 1 Peter, Jude, and 2 Peter. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2003.
II Peter and Jude
Bauckham, Richard J. Jude, 2 Peter. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco: Word, 1983.
Kraftchick, Steven J. 2 Peter, Jude. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville:
Abingdon, 2002.
Neyrey, Jerome H. 2 Peter, Jude. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1993.
Senior, Donald. See under 1 Peter (2003).
Watson, Duane F. “The Second Letter of Peter: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections;”
“The Letter of Jude: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Pp. 321-61, 473-99 in The
New Interpreter’s Bible 12. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
I, II, III John
Black, C. Clifton. “The First, Second, and Third Letters of John: Introduction, Commentary, and
Reflections.” Pp. 363-469 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 12. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
Brown, Raymond E. The Epistles of John. Anchor Bible. Garden City: Doubleday, 1982.
Lieu, Judith. I,II, III John. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox,
2008.
Parsenios, George L. First, Second and Third John. Paideia Commentaries on the New
Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.
Rensberger, David. 1 John, 2 John, 3 John. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1997.
Schnackenburg, Rudolf. The Johannine Epistles. A Commentary. New York: Crossroad, 1992.
Smith, D. Moody. First, Second, and Third John. Interpretation. Louisville: John Knox, 1991.
Strecker, Georg. The Johannine Letters: A Commentary on 1, 2, and 3 John. Hermeneia.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996.
Revelation
Aune, David E. Revelation 1–5. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, 1997.
. Revelation 6–16. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville: Nelson, 1998.
. Revelation 17–22. Word Biblical Commentary. Nashville: Nelson, 1998.
Blount, Brian. Revelation. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009.
Boring, M. Eugene. Revelation. Interpretation. Louisville: John Knox, 1989.
Caird, George B. A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John the Divine. Harper's New
Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, 1966.
15
Charles, R.H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John. Interantional
Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1956-59.
Kovacs, Judith, and Christopher Rowland. Revelation. Blackwell Bible Commentaries.
Oxford: Blackwell, 2004.
Rowland, Christopher C. “The Book of Revelation: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.”
Pp. 501-743 in The New Interpreter’s Bible 12. Nashville: Abingdon, 1998.
Thompson, Leonard L. Revelation. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1998.