LibGuides: Biblical Commentaries: Popular Commentaries

Popular Commentary Series

Below, popular commentary series are listed. Click on a commentary link below to see what volumes we have available at the library.

To find more information regarding a description and the type of a specific commentary, hover over or click on the Information icon with each entry.

Abingdon New and OldTestament Commentaries (PASTORAL) The Abingdon New and Old Testament Commentaries (ANTC) (AOTC) series provides compact, critical commentaries on the writings of the New Testament. These commentaries are written with special attention to the needs and interests of theological students, but they will also be useful for students in upper-level college or university settings, as well as for pastors and other religious leaders. In addition to providing basic information about the New Testament texts and insights into their meanings, these commentaries are intended to exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful, critical biblical exegesis.
Anchor Yale Bible -- New and Old Testament (TECHNICAL) (PASTORAL) The Anchor Yale Bible (AYB) is a project of international and interfaith scope in which Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish scholars from many countries contribute individual volumes. The project is not sponsored by any ecclesiastical organization and is not intended to reflect any particular theological doctrine. The AYB is committed to producing commentaries in the tradition established half a century ago by the founders of the series, William Foxwell Albright and David Noel Freedman. It aims to present the best contemporary scholarship in a way that is accessible not only to scholars but also to the educated nonspecialist. Its approach is grounded in exact translation of the ancient languages and an appreciation of the historical and cultural context in which the biblical books were written supplemented by insights from modern methods, such as sociological and literary criticism. -- Best Commentaries - https://bestcommentaries.com
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (TECHNICAL) (PASTORAL) The Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (BECNT) series provides commentaries that blend scholarly depth with readability, exegetical detail with sensitivity to the whole, and attention to critical problems with theological awareness. All BECNT volumes feature the author's detailed interaction with the Greek text and are specifically designed with students and pastors in mind. The user-friendly design includes shaded-text chapter introductions summarizing the key themes of each thought unit. Chapter outlines and overviews allow easy entry into the discussion and aid comprehension and recall. With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, these commentaries will be valued by students, professors, and pastors alike. -- Best Commentaries - https://bestcommentaries.com
Belief Theological Commentaries (SEMI-TECHNICAL) This commentary set bridges the divide between traditional biblical studies and practical theology. Created by academic theologians with a specific focus on theology.
Berit Olam -- Hebrew Bible (CRITICAL) This series focuses on the final form of the texts (canonical criticism), with a special interest in matters relating to literary interpretation. It works extremely well as a complement to series with different critical or disciplinary approaches. -- https://vts.libguides.com/bible/commentaries/best-series
Connections (PASTORAL) Designed to empower preachers as they lead congregations to connect their lives to Scripture, Connections features a broad set of interpretive tools that provide commentary and worship aids on the Revised Common Lectionary. This nine-volume series offers creative commentary on each reading in the three-year lectionary cycle by viewing that reading through the lens of its connections to the rest of Scripture and then seeing the reading through the lenses of culture, film, fiction, ethics, and other aspects of contemporary life. Commentaries on the Psalms make connections to the other readings and to the congregation’s experience of worship. -- Publisher's website.
Feasting on the Word (PASTORAL) Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, the Feasting on the Word Worship Companion series provides liturgical pieces used in preparing for worship, offering a multitude of poetic prayers and responsive readings for all parts of worship. In addition, the weekly entries include questions for reflection and household prayers for morning and evening that are drawn from the lectionary, allowing churches to include them in their bulletin for parishioners to use throughout the week. Publisher's website.
Hermeneia -- New and Old Testament (TECHNICAL) (CRITICAL) This series provides critical/historical commentary with a focus on text-criticism and the history of interpretation. It also heavily relies on knowledge of original languages, and therefore attempts a level of comprehensiveness relative to other series.
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Hermeneia is designed to be a critical and historical commentary to the Bible without arbitrary limits in size or scope. It utilizes the full range of philological and historical tools, including textual criticism (often slighted in modern commentaries), the methods of the history of tradition (including genre and prosodic analysis), and the history of religion.

Hermeneia is designed for the serious student of the Bible. It makes full use of ancient Semitic and classical languages; at the same time, English translations of all comparative materials—whether Greek, Latin, Canaanite, or Akkadian—are supplied alongside the citation of the source in its original language. Insofar as possible, the aim is to provide the student or scholar with full critical discussion of each problem of interpretation and with the primary data upon which the discussion is based. -- publisher site - https://www.fortresspress.com
International Critical Commentary (TECHNICAL) (CRITICAL) For over 100 years, the International Critical Commentary (ICC) series has held a special place among works on the Bible. It has sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis—linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary, and theological—with a level of comprehension and quality of scholarship unmatched by any other series, in order to help the reader understand the meaning of the books of the Old and New Testaments. -- Best Commentaries - https://bestcommentaries.com (Note: Under revision: Be aware many of the volumes in this series is quite dated.)
Interpretation (HOMILETICAL) (DEVOTIONAL) Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (IBC) is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry. This is a moderately theological exposition than on technical or critical issues. -- Best Commentaries - https://bestcommentaries.com
New American Commentary (PASTORAL) The New American Commentary (NAC) series brings the best of contemporary evangelical scholarship that honors the full trustworthiness and authority of Scripture to the task of serious exegetical and theological exposition of the Word. Since a commentary is a fundamental tool for the expositor or teacher who seeks to interpret and apply Scripture in the church or classroom, the NAC focuses on communicating the theological structure and content of each biblical book. The writers seek to illuminate both the historical meaning and contemporary significance of Holy Scripture. In its attempt to make a unique contribution to the Christian community, the NAC focuses on two concerns. First, the commentary emphasizes how each section of a book fits together so that the reader becomes aware of the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole. The writers, however, remain aware of the Bible’s inherently rich variety. Second, the NAC is produced with the conviction that the Bible primarily belongs to the church. Scholarship and the academy provide an indispensable foundation for biblical understanding and the service of Christ, but the editors and authors of this series have attempted to communicate the findings of their research in a manner that will build up the whole body of Christ. Thus, the commentary concentrates on theological exegesis, while providing practical, applicable exposition. -- Best Commentaries - https://bestcommentaries.com
New International commentary on the New Testament "Faithful criticism" characterizes volumes in the New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT). Begun in the late 1940s by an international team of New Testament scholars, the NICNT series has been widely recognized by pastors, students, and scholars alike for its attention to the text of Scripture, its currency with contemporary scholarship, and its service to the global church. The interpretive work reflected in these commentaries is based on careful study of the Greek text, but commentary readers need not be practiced in the biblical languages in order to benefit from them. In the same way, NICNT volumes reflect serious work in technical areas—such as linguistics, textual criticism, and historical concerns—but the commentary itself focuses on understanding the text rather than navigating scholarly debates. Readers can turn to the footnotes and excursuses for more specialized interaction with the Greek text and engagement with critical issues and literature - https://bestcommentaries.com
New International Commentary on the Old Testament This premier commentary series enjoys a worldwide readership of scholars, pastors, priests, rabbis, and serious Bible students. They eagerly consult its high-quality volumes to inform their preaching, teaching, and academic research, and they warmly welcome each newly published volume as they would an encounter with a stimulating new friend. Through the rigorous yet reverent study contained in these commentary volumes, readers hear afresh the voice of the living God speaking his powerful word. All of the NICOT volumes combine superior scholarship, an evangelical view of Scripture as the Word of God, and concern for the life of faith today. Each volume features an extensive introduction treating the biblical book's authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. The author's own translation of the original Hebrew and verse-by-verse commentary follow. The commentary itself carefully balances coverage of technical matters with exposition of the biblical text's theology and implications. -- https://bestcommentaries.com
The New International Greek Testament Commentary (TECHNICAL) (EVANGELICAL)This commentary series is established on the presupposition that the theological character of the New Testament documents calls for exegesis that is sensitive to theological themes as well as to the details of the historical, linguistic, and textual context. Such thorough exegetical work lies at the heart of these volumes, which contain detailed verse-by-verse commentary preceded by general comments on each section and subsection of the text. An important aim of the NIGTC authors is to interact with the wealth of significant New Testament research published in recent articles and monographs. In this connection the authors make their own scholarly contributions to the ongoing study of the biblical text. While engaging the major questions of text and interpretation at a scholarly level, the authors keep in mind the needs of the beginning student of Greek as well as the pastor or layperson who may have studied the language at some time but does not now use it on a regular basis -- Publishers website
New Interpreter's Bible (PASTORAL) The NIB is a major, ecumenical 12 volume series on both Testaments. Commentaries provide a a basic exegesis, and homiletical guidance for ministers. The list of contributors are inclusive of gender and denominations. -- Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works/John E. Evans, 10th ed.
New Testament Library (TECHNICAL) (EXEGETICAL) The New Testament Library (NTL) series offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, providing fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text. The contributors are scholars of international standing.
Old Testament Library (TECHNICAL) (EXEGETICAL) The Old Testament Library (OTL) series offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the Old Testament, providing fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text. The contributors are scholars of international standing.
Sacra Pagina -- New Testament (TECHNICAL) (PASTORAL) (ROMAN CATHOLIC) This series presents fresh translations and modern expositions of all the books of the New Testament. Written by an international team of Catholic biblical scholars, it is intended for biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, clergy, and religious educators. The volumes present basic introductory information and close exposition, with each author adopting a specific methodology while maintaining a focus on the issues raised by the New Testament compositions themselves. The goal of Sacra Pagina is to provide sound, critical analysis without any loss of sensitivity to religious meaning. This series is therefore catholic in two senses of the word: inclusive in its methods and perspectives, and shaped by the context of the Catholic tradition. -- Liturgical Press - https://litpress.org/
Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary (EXPOSITIONAL) The Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary (SHBC) series brings insightful commentary to bear on the lives of contemporary Christians. (Critical) (EXPOSITIONAL) Using a multimedia format, the volumes employ a stunning array of art, maps, and drawings to illustrate the insights of the Bible.
Wisdom Commentary Series (FEMINIST) This series provides a feminist interpretation of each book of the Bible. Contributing scholars comprise a range of disciplinary, academic, and geographic contexts.
Westminster Bible Companion (CRITICAL) This series strives to explain the biblical book in its historical context and explores its significance for faithful living today. -- Guide to Biblical Commentaries and reference works / John F. Evans
Word Biblical Commentary -- New and Old Testament (TECHNICAL) 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 -- Best Commentaries, https://bestcommentaries.com