Tryggve N. D. Mettinger, The Eden Narrative: A Literary and Religio-historical Study of Genesis 2–3

Bibliographical details: Mettinger, T. N. D. (2007). The Eden Narrative: A Literary and Religio-Historical Study of Genesis 2–3. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. Publisher’s information: ‘The arrival of a new monograph by Tryggve Mettinger is an occasion for scholarly delight. Mettinger is one of the finest biblical scholars in the world.’ – Ronald Hendel (University of [...]

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Marc Zvi Brettler, How to Read the Bible

Bibliographical details: Brettler, M. Z. (2005). How to Read the Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society. Publisher’s information: In his new book, master Bible scholar and teacher Marc Brettler argues that today’s contemporary readers can only understand the ancient Hebrew scripture by knowing more about the culture that produced it. And so Brettler unpacks the [...]

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Cornerstone Biblical Commentary (Tyndale House)

These evangelical commentaries are based on the New Living Translation (NLT), which is included. They are aimed at students, ministers and laypeople, who they seek to provide with exegetical and theological knowledge that enables them to better understand and apply God’s word. Commentaries feature an introduction to the biblical book that discusses the usual issues [...]

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Alice Ogden Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women’s Stories in the Hebrew Bible

Bibliographical details: Bellis, A. O. (2007). Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women’s Stories in the Hebrew Bible. 2nd ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. Publisher’s information: ‘In this significantly updated second edition, Alice Ogden Bellis continues to provide a broad and balanced sampling of feminist interpretations of the sweep of women characters in the Old [...]

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The Bible Speaks Today (IVP)

The editors stress that the volumes in this series are intended to be expositions, not commentaries. The aims are threefold: ‘to expound the biblical text with accuracy, to relate it to contemporary life and to be readable’. Exposition is section by section, and the outlook is evangelical. Some volumes are surprisingly extensive. Old Testament volumes: [...]

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Berit Olam: Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry (Liturgical Press)

Despite the subtitle, this is not a series of monographs. However, the subtitle is highly appropriate, because these commentaries focus on the final form of the text, approaching the books of the Old Testament as literary works and with the conviction that their truth can be better appreciated only with a fuller understanding of the [...]

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Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (IVP)

This ecumenical project differs from most of the other series introduced here in that it aims to present readers with the the best of the early church fathers’ theological, spiritual and pastoral insights rather than a contemporary commentary on the biblical text. Commentaries present the biblical text in the translation of the RSV, which is [...]

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The Anchor Bible (Doubleday)

This series, which tends to be moderately critical, is of mixed value, with individual volumes ranging from excellent to very poor. The Anchor Bible covers both Testaments, including the Apocrypha. Each volume offers an introduction, a new translation, linguistic and exegetical notes. Some commentaries in this series also feature a detailed exposition of the text, [...]

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Lawrence Boadt, Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction

Bibliographical details: Boadt, L. (1984). Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction. New York: Paulist Press. Publisher’s information: Reading the Old Testament is a clear and carefully organized introduction for contemporary readers. It is designed to guide the student of the Bible through the text and its problems, enrich their understanding of the individual biblical books, [...]

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Ellen van Wolde, Stories of the Beginning: Genesis 1–11 and Other Creation Stories

Bibliographical details: Wolde, E. van. (1997). Mr and Mrs Job, trans. J. Bowden. London: SCM Press. Publisher’s information: Here, by a leading Dutch woman biblical theologian who studied under Umberto Eco, is a brilliant new approach to the creation stories in the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Contrary to those who believe that our time [...]

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John Rogerson and Philip Davies, The Old Testament World

Bibliographical details: Rogerson, J. W., and P. R. Davies. (2005). The Old Testament World. Rev. and expanded ed. London: T & T Clark. Publisher’s information: ‘… this is a useful introduction both to modern study of the Old Testament and to the history and religion of Israel, critical in stance and aware of the limitations [...]

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Phyllis Trible, God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality

Bibliographical details: Trible, P. (1992). God and the Rhetoric of Sexuality. London: SCM Press. Trible’s book was originally published by Fortress Press in 1978 and reprinted in 1983. A British edition appeared in 1992, published by SCM Press. The cover on the left shows the American edition; the information below is taken from the British [...]

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Bruce C. Birch, Walter Brueggemann, Terence E. Fretheim and David L. Petersen, A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament

Bibliographical details: Birch, B. C., W. Brueggemann, T. E. Fretheim, and D. L. Petersen. (1999). A Theological Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: Abingdon Press. Publisher’s information: This Theological Introduction to the Old Testament helps readers come to a critically informed understanding of the Old Testament as the church’s scripture. It introduces the Old Testament [...]

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J. Richard Middleton, The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1

Bibliographical details: Middleton, J. R. (2005). The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press. Publisher’s information: ‘Middleton exhibits a powerful capacity for big issues, a patience with detail, and a sure theological sensibility. His study ranges all the way from comparative historical analysis to contemporary issues of ideology critique. [...]

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Biblical eSources (by Ted Hildebrandt)

The Biblical eSources site, maintained by Ted Hildebrandt of Gordon College in Wenham (MA), lists electronic books, articles and bibliographies on the Old and New Testament as well as on New Testament Greek. Some areas of biblical studies are well covered, while others (such as most of the minor prophets) don’t feature at all. There [...]

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