Song of Songs and Lamentations, Volume 23B

Duane Garrett, Dr. Paul R. House, Bruce M. Metzger, David Allen Hubbard, Glenn W. Barker, John D. W. Watts, James W. Watts, Ralph P. Martin, Lynn Allan Losie

• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9780310588511
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Overview of Commentary Organization

• Introduction—covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology.
• Each section of the commentary includes:
• Pericope Bibliography—a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope.
• Translation—the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English.
• Notes—the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation.
• Form/Structure/Setting—a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here.
• Comment—verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research.
• Explanation—brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues.
  • General Bibliography—occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

Lamentations

Author’s Preface

If I recall correctly, I first discussed with John Watts the possibility of undertaking this project in the fall of 1996. David Hubbard had passed away without completing the work on Lamentations, and John was looking for someone to take Dr. Hubbard’s notes on chapter 1 and incorporate them into a commentary on the book. I never had the privilege of meeting Dr. Hubbard, but I have met many influenced by his ministry. I accepted this assignment sometime in 1997, and the end result is before you. It is an honor to have had the chance to work once again with my “Father Doctor,” John Watts, who prepared the metrical notations for this volume, and with my friend James Watts. Their editorial expertise made this a better book, as did Melanie McQuere’s.

This commentary was written in a variety of places and with the help of many people. Some initial work was accomplished at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1997 to 1999. I am particularly grateful to Bruce Keisling of Boyce Centennial Library, who conducted bibliographical searches for me.

Further work was undertaken on the project while I was teaching at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry from 1999 to 2001. Besides enjoying unqualified support from my faculty colleagues, our dean, Gavin McGrath, and our president, Peter Moore, I was greatly helped by having Sarah Lebhar as my research assistant. Sarah made certain that I had needed resources, a task made easier by Dr. Robert Munday and the staff of the Trinity library. During the summer of 2001 I taught at Beeson Divinity School, where I used the Samford University Library and wrote the introductory chapter.

Since 2001 I have served on the faculty of Wheaton College, a place that supports its faculty members’ writing efforts admirably. I have received research assistance from Stephen Webster, Amber Stone, Keith Williams, and Greg Goss. I have also benefited from the help of the staff at Buswell Memorial Library. During the summer of 2002 I was given an Aldeen Grant by the college to do research and writing on the commentary at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. While in residence there, I was encouraged by Old Testament colleagues Barry Webb and Paul Williamson, as well as by John Woodhouse, principal of Moore College, himself an Old Testament scholar. The college librarians were unfailingly cheerful and helpful. Archbishop Peter Jensen and Phillip Jensen, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, made the arrangements for our stay and offered superb hospitality. The Jensen brothers are good, gracious, and encouraging friends, as are their wives, Christine and Helen.

Besides the friends already mentioned, I have received constant support from long-time friends and from family members. Richard Bailey, Kyle McClellan, Mike Tucker, Tom Jones, and Greg Thornbury offered specific encouragement on the project and on life. In 1998 Ben Mitchell, who has the gift of mercy, was with me during very hard times, and my oldest and wisest friend, Jim Dixon, guided me through some tough decisions associated with those times. Ben and Jim have a high theology of friendship. As always, Scott Hafemann informed, encouraged, and inspired me throughout the writing process. In fact, Scott was the one who first advised me to accept the project. Only God can give you friends like Scott. My sister Suzanne Kingsley and her husband, Gordon, shaped my views on lament and hope more than they will ever know.

Most of all, my wife, Heather, and my daughter, Molly, have contributed their love, laughter, and expertise to this project. Heather, a professional theological editor, offered advice alongside love and encouragement. She also provides an atmosphere in our home that is as conducive to scholarly writing as I can imagine. Molly rejoiced in every finished stage. She also shared the difficult changes that occurred in the last several years. She is currently concluding undergraduate studies in biblical studies and will pursue graduate studies in New Testament at Oxford University next year. I am grateful for her commitment to our Lord. Though it would be appropriate to dedicate this project in honor of David Hubbard, I believe he would agree with my decision to dedicate it to Molly. After all, he gave his life to preparing people like Molly for the Lord’s work, and I share at least a measure of his commitment.

For these and other kindnesses, I am very grateful.

PAUL R. HOUSE

Wheaton College

Easter 2003

Commentary Bibliography

In the text of the commentary, references to commentaries on Lamentations are by author’s name only.

Aalders, G. C. De Klaagliederen. Kampen: Kok, 1952.

Adeney, W. F. The Song of Solomon and the Lamentations of Jeremiah. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1900.

Alshekh, M. The Book of Lamentations: Solace amidst the Ashes: The Commentary of Rabbi Mosheh Alshich on Megillath Eichah/Lamentations. Jerusalem: Feldheim, 1993.

Ash, A. L. Jeremiah and Lamentations. The Living Word Commentary. Abilene, TX: Abilene Christian UP, 1987.

Berlin, A. Lamentations. OTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002.

Bettan, I. The Five Scrolls: A Commentary on the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther. Cincinnati: Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1950.

Boecker, H. J. Klagelieder. Zurich: Theologischer Verlag, 1985.

Bonaventure. D. Bonaventvræ S.R.E. Episcopi Card. . . . In librvm sapientiæ & lamentatinoes Ieremiae Prophetae pia & erudite expositio. Venice: Apud Petrum de Francisdcijs, 1574.

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