Leading Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III provides students and pastors with expert guidance on choosing a commentary for any book of the Old Testament. The fifth edition has been updated to assess the most recently published commentaries, providing evaluative comments. Longman lists a number of works available for each book of the Old Testament, gives a brief indication of their emphases and viewpoints, and evaluates them. The result is a balanced, sensible guide for those who preach and teach the Old Testament and need help in choosing the best tools.
Aalders, G. C.Genesis. 2 vols. BSC. Zondervan, 1981. 311 pp. and 228 pp.
This is an English translation of a commentary originally published in Dutch in 1949. Although somewhat dated, Aaldersâs work retains its value as a theological commentary. Writing from within the Reformed tradition, Aalders shows great exegetical skill and theological insight. MS
Atkinson, D.The Message of Genesis 1â11: The Dawn of Creation. BST. InterVarsity, 1990. 190 pp.
A brief, expository, and devotional reading of the first part of the book of Genesis. Atkinson is insightful and knowledgeable. LM
Baldwin, J. G.The Message of Genesis 12â50: From Abraham to Joseph. BST. InterVarsity, 1986. 224 pp.
Baldwin writes in a popular style, yet there is no doubt that considerable scholarly research stands behind her commentary. Her approach to Genesis 12â50 is traditional, yet not stodgy. LM
Briscoe, S.Genesis. ComC. Word, 1987. 414 pp.
Briscoe does a good job navigating the difficult interpretive issues of Genesis. Not that he is always right, but he exercises fairly sensible judgment. The volume, in keeping with the purpose of the commentary, is sermonic and anecdotal, not exegetical or biblical-theological. However, what it does, it does well. LM
Brueggemann, W.Genesis. Interp. Westminster John Knox, 1982. viii/384 pp.
Brueggemann, although a moderately critical scholar, is always stimulating and insightful. His commentary concentrates on the final form of the text and focuses principally on the theology of the book. LM
Cassuto, U.From Adam to Abraham: A Commentary on the Book of Genesis. Trans. I. Abrahams. 2 vols. Magnes, 1964. xviii/323 pp. and xiv/386 pp.
This is a solid commentary on the first eleven chapters of Genesis. Cassuto, a conservative Jewish writer, died unexpectedly before the book was completed. He was a brilliant philologist and literary scholar. He, interestingly, goes against the scholarly tide and rejects the Documentary Hypothesis. S
Coats, G. W.Genesis with an Introduction to Narrative Literature. FOTL. Eerdmans, 1983. xiii/322 pp.
Definitely one of the best volumes in the series thus far, this commentary nonetheless is difficult to wade through due to its focus on form-critical issues. Coats is most helpful when he deals with narrative issues from a literary standpoint. He is least helpful when he spends time analyzing the sources of the narrative rather than concentrating on the final form of the text. S
Gibson, J. C. L.Genesis.2 vols. DSB. Westminster John Kn...
