Hello
One of my "New Year Resolutions" is to do a more thorough study of the Bible starting with Genesis. Can you recommend your favorite commentary for Genesis?
Thank you and God Bless you!
Paul
Paul, assuming you've already got this month's Free Genesis commentary, I'd recommend the following Top 5:
WBC Vol 1 and Vol 2
NICOT Vol 1 and Vol 2
NAC Vol 1 and Vol 2
Waltke's Commentary
And the NIVAC.
How detailed do you want it to be? There are series that have more than one volume covering Genesis. Any familiarity with Hebrew? Any formal training in exegesis? Some commentaries are more technical, others more devotional. What are you looking for?
Sarna, Nahum M. Genesis. The JPS Torah Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1989.
Should be on your essential reading list. To read the Pentateuch without getting the traditional Jewish perspective would be unfortunate.
Though of a slightly older vintage than some, the works of Robert S. Candlish are still of great value. Here's a screenshot from a search of the Logos website.
I have the first two in Logos and the third in print.
Every blessing
Alan
I'll second the recommendation of this one. It's a very pleasant one to read through cover-to-cover, and I very rarely read commentaries that way. In fact I think I've only ever read one other one straight through, Eugene Peterson's one on 1 & 2 Samuel.
Hi Paul
I'll second Jonathan's top recommendation: Gordon Wenham's 2-volume commentary on Genesis from the Word Biblical Commentary series.
Wenham doesn't shy away from the technical issues and Hebrew language so it's not a simple devotional style, but you'll gain a good understanding of Genesis from him.
A great companion to the study of the first 11 chapters of Genesis is Navigating Genesis: A Scientist's Journey through Genesis 1 - 11 by Dr. Hugh Ross. This particular title is not yet available in Logos but hopefully it will be added in 2015.
WBC Vol 1 and Vol 2 Hi Paul I'll second Jonathan's top recommendation: Gordon Wenham's 2-volume commentary on Genesis from the Word Biblical Commentary series. Wenham doesn't shy away from the technical issues and Hebrew language so it's not a simple devotional style, but you'll gain a good understanding of Genesis from him.
I third that recommendation. I'd start with Wenham. Excellent commentary.
Cassuto has some excellent commentary on Genesis, but if I recall correctly it was never completed. Unlike typical modern Jewish commentators, he dismantled the higher critical opinions. Also very good is Delitzsch's commentary, but it's not available yet (in the pre-pub Genesis collection upgrade).This isn't part of the Keil-Delitzsch set; it's different.
Genesis is read as a part of the Torah portion in traditional Jewish services. There's a JPS commentary for the Haftorah portion used for all the Torah readings It's immensely helpful to read the connecting scripture. Finally David Stern's translation, the Complete Jewish Bible, has suggested New Testament readings for the weekly Jewish calendar readings.
OT Commentary Survey recommends Wenham and Hamilton, which matches my experience. I also like the JPS commentary, but those three provide very comprehensive coverage.
This past year I've been reading through each of Kidner, Sarna, Mathews, Alter, and Ross. I've previously read through Waltke. The most thorough is Mathews (NAC) and he is not too technical. The others are good, but if I could only read one, it would be Mathews.
Fretheim in the NIB is superb!
Depending on your taste, and preferences, in addition to the excellent recommendations already I'd add.
Claus Westermann in the Continental Commentary series (this opens one of three volumes he has in that series)
and
Walter Brueggemann in the Interpretation series.
I'm beginning a series on the life of Joseph tomorrow and have enjoyed most of what has been mentioned above. I've probably enjoyed Waltke the most, although for the life of Joseph (Gen. 37-50 only), I've also found Wilcox's approach helpful.
Most certainly Victor P. Hamilton’s work In NICOT - The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 and The New International Commentary on the Old Testament: The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18–50. Also well worth having in your library as you study is his Handbook on the Pentateuch. Of course, if you’re working your way up from Genesis you might also consider the Handbook on the Old Testament Series.
Absolutely! I have been teaching through Genesis on and off for the last 9 months. I am still gradually adding to my commentaries, but so far, after pretty regular use of Wenham, Hamilton, and Mathews for a few chapters and a several excurses into Genesis, Mathews has more often than not become my go-to commentary followed by Wenham and finally Hamilton. His commentary is truly a standout in the NAC series, providing unusual exegetical, literary, biblical, and theological depth and insight for a series that has many thinner volumes. So far, he's typically good about not missing the forest for the trees. He also takes some very welcome (although optional) excurses on issues such as man's creation in God's image, after his likeness. Even when I end up disagreeing with him, I am rarely disappointed that I consulted with him. Many have already noted the value of Wenham and others; It would be a shame to gloss over Mathews! I'm glad Todd chimed in here.If you're looking for textual help, be sure to check out Ronald Hendel's "The Text of Genesis 1–11: Textual Studies and Critical Edition," which the author has made available for free online. I couldn't disagree more with Hendel theologically, but he provides a lot of excellent research, drawing also from the work of other OT textual critics/scholars such as Emanuel Tov. The BHQ's fascicle of Genesis is apparently well underway ("forthcoming 2015"?), but there is no telling when that might ever see the light of day in Logos.
I completely forgot to mention Fructenbaum's commentary on Genesis. Lots of meat and his breakdown on the generations is immensely helpful.
The People's Bible: Genesis. Jeske, John C. Northwestern Publishing House.
This is a superb, inexpensive overview commentary that is very readable. I normally begin with this and if it hasn't answered my questions I dive into something more technical.
I recommend WBC or something a little more practical the Genesis collection two volumes: https://www.logos.com/product/3850/genesis-collection
DAL
If you are interested in a commentary from the young-earth creationist position, Henry Morris' commentary is available in Logos. It is part of a two-book bundle- https://www.logos.com/product/3850/genesis-collection
The Allen Ross commentary with it isn't too bad.
I also like Wenham (WBC), Matthews (NAC), and V. Hamiton (NICOT).
Is there any commentary on old earth creationism?
Re old earth creationism you might want to check out some of the books in Logos by Dr, Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. His most recent book, Navigating Genesis is not yet available in Logos but I highly recommend it.
Thanks. I'd like to study both sides of the equation so it's nice to see there is some study resources for both YEC and OEC.
God Bless you always my Brother in Christ forever!
James
