Hekman Library: Bible Commentaries: Find Commentaries

Recommended Commentary Series

Expositor's Bible Commentary by Tremper Longman III (General Editor); David E. Garland (General Editor)
Call Number: BS2341.53 .E96 2005
This 12-volume reference uses the New International Version (NIV) for its English text, but also refers freely to other translations and to the original languages. Each book of the Bible has, in addition to its exposition, an introduction, outline, and bibliography. Notes on textual questions and special problems are correlated with the expository units; transliteration and translation of Semitic and Greek words make the more technical notes accessible to readers unacquainted with the biblical languages. In matters where marked differences of opinion exist, the authors deal fairly with opposing views.
Anchor Bible Commentary by (various editors)
Call Number: Shelved by book of the Bible
The Anchor Bible Commentary Series comes from a Roman Catholic perspective. It is comprised of a translation and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and the Intertestamental Books. For each biblical book, the series includes an original translation; overviews of the historical, critical, and literary evolution of the text; an outline of major themes and topics; a verse-by-verse commentary; treatment of competing scholarly theories; historical background; and photographs, illustrations, and maps of artifacts and places associated with biblical figures and sites.
New International Biblical Commentary by (various editors)
Call Number: Shelved by book of the Bible
As an 18-volume set, the New International Biblical Commentary strikes the balance between the detailed technical commentary and the popular level commentary. Based on the New International Version translation, each volume presents an introductory chapter detailing the background of the book, its audiences, its authorship, its important themes, and other helpful information.
New Interpreter's Bible by Leander E. Keck
Call Number: BS491.2 .N484 1994
ISBN: 0687063477
This twelve volume commentary series covers the entire Bible – including the Apocrypha / Deuterocanonical books. An additional 30 contributors provide further insight through scholarly articles relating to Old Testament and New Testament issues.
Word Biblical Commentary by (various editors)
Call Number: BS 491.2 .W67
This series consisting of 61 volumes emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence.

Tips for Searching

To find Bible Commentaries in the library catalog, try a Subject Search, using this pattern:

Bible [book of Bible] commentaries

EX: For commentaries on the book of Genesis, select "Subject" from the drop-down menu by the search box (by default, it searched "Keyword") and type in "Bible genesis commentaries"

Special Resource: Commentary Surveys

Biblical commentaries vary widely, with different interpretative points of view, and varied emphases. Some will have a greater interest in historical or literary or theological issues; some may be more focused on devotions or preaching applications. Some may identify with a particular denomination or doctrinal background, and it's not always stated clearly up front. You can evaluate Bible commentaries by researching their authors/publishers, reading carefully for the commentary's purpose, or finding more information in commentary surveys. Reviews of Biblical Literature (RBL), a database maintained by the Society of Biblical Literature, contains many reviews of different commentaries online, and check out also these surveys in the library here:

Old Testament Commentary Survey by Tremper Iii Longman
Call Number: Z7772.A1 L64 2013
ISBN: 9780801039911
Publication Date: 2013-04-15
New Testament Commentary Survey by D. A. Carson
Call Number: BS2341.2 .C33 2013
ISBN: 9780801039904
Publication Date: 2013-11-15
Commentary and Reference Survey by Darrell L. Bock (Foreword by); John J. Glynn; John Glynn
Call Number: Z7770 .G59 2007
ISBN: 9780825427374
Publication Date: 2007-02-15