MIQRA Institute of Biblical Stud

Sepharim 'al ha-miqra’: Books about the Scriptures (Genesis)

Fretheim, T. E. “Genesis.” NIB, 1. Abingdon, 1994 (1195 pp.; 319-674). A fine commentary by a well-known Lutheran scholar; very readable without sacrificing careful textual attention. Somewhat unexpectedly, F does not spend much time on introductory matters (e.g., interpretive method, critical concerns, canonical context). These are of course mentioned, and F clarifies the position his commentary will take relative to all of them, but given the book and its place in the canon, one might have expected a more involved discussion (it takes him only nine pages). The brevity is likely a result of the wide and extensive treatment of these issues by a variety of scholars preceding F’s contribution in the first volume of the NIB series. But the student looking for a robust and up-to-date treatment of the gateway to the canon will not be disappointed in F’s careful treatment of the text, and the “reflections” sections following each major textual break enhance the value of F’s study, not least in provocative ethical directions.

Hartley, J. E. Genesis. NIBC. Hendrickson, 2000 (393 pp.). H includes a quite a discussion of the structure of Genesis, i.e., its internal divisions and the way these are arranged by content and literary devices, such as the toledoth formula and palistrophes (“the arrangement of material in a V-shaped pattern so that material in each step moving in toward the center mirrors material on the corresponding step moving out from the center” [4]). In addition to literary structural markers, H also discusses various thematic elements which affect the shape and flow of the book, such as the name of Yahweh as well other divine names in Genesis. The commentary itself is eminently readable (a hallmark of the NIBC series) with verses as paragraph headings in boldface. Ideas thought to be particularly important in each paragraph are themselves in bold. While readability is certainly to be praised, the commentary will likely be found more helpful for Bible study than research, despite the additional (more technical notes) at the close of each major section.

Mathews, K. A. Genesis 1-11:26. NAC. Broadman, 1996 (528 pp.). One of the better contributions to appear in this series, Mathews’ treatment is solidly exegetical, theological, and proclamational. Occasional extra-biblical detours do not distract overly from an otherwise serious engagement of the textual data themselves. Resourceful for scholars, but readable, informing, and edifying for serious-minded pastors and teachers. Devoutly evangelical. Written with conviction that, properly read, Genesis speaks God’s message to the church. We await volume 2 with eager anticipation.

_____Genesis 11:27-50-26. NAC. Broadman, 2005 (960 pp.). M continues where he left off in his 1996 treatment of Genesis 1-11:26. M offers solid exegesis, with attention both to coming away from Genesis with a burgeoning biblical theology, as well as a message to proclaim, probably in this order. M covers the typical introductory issues most commentaries on Genesis cover (e.g., names of/for God, other ancient near eastern creation traditions, etc.), but a particular strength of M’s contribution—especially notable in the textual discussion itself—is his completeness. It is also probably the most technical of the commentaries reviewed here (perhaps even more so than his initial volume), though that should not dissuade students from consulting it as a valuable resource. Like Ross (below), Hebrew is not required, but will be particularly helpful.

Ross, A. P. Creation and Blessing. Baker, 1998 (744 pp.). This is a long read, calling itself (in its subtitle) a “guide to the study and exposition of Genesis.” In fact it reads exactly like a commentary, so it does not actually show how to exposit the text (if that means presenting it as message) since it is more concerned to interpret the text for its meaning. However, a particular strength of R’s treatment—which would certainly benefit discussion about appropriate methods and approaches to exposition—is R’s concern to interpret Genesis contextually and compositionally. That is, individual texts can be said to have meaning, of course, but the possible meanings for an individual text are constrained by larger (con)textual units. Given that R’s approach is also concerned with the rhetorical character of Genesis (that is, the book is already presented as a message), R’s contribution ends up being very helpful to questions about exposition, provided the reader keeps this larger perspective in mind. The treatment itself is written clearly and for a seminary/graduate audience and does not require Hebrew, though it is intermittently discussed.

Sailhamer, J. H. “Genesis.” EBC. Zondervan, 1990. Thoroughgoing treatment of the actual Genesis text, with special attention to narrative features, compositional strategies, and messianic orientation. Models how to read Scripture and sets a standard unfortunately not continued in most of the other contributions to this series. Much of the same material may be found in The Pentateuch as Narrative by the same author (reviewed in MIQRA 1/1 [Winter 2002], 9).

Waltke, B. K. Genesis: A Commentary. Zondervan, 2001 (656 pp.). Written in collaboration with Waltke’s teaching assistant, Cathi Fredricks, this book reflects its evolution from class lectures and published annotations to its present highly readable form. Features literary analysis, exegetical notes, and theological reflections at a level meant to be “particularly helpful to pastors and lay leaders to teach and preach Genesis” (12). Divides Genesis into a prologue and “ten books,” which are further subdivided into acts and scenes for ease of analysis. Stronger on literary flow and thematic connections than on textual detail, but helpful throughout.

Wenham, G. J. Genesis. WBC. Word, 1987/1994 (353 / 517 pp.). Follows the standard format of the WBC (section by section with Bibliography, Translation, Notes, Form/Structure/Setting, Comment, and Explanation), but in our judgment does it better than most volumes in this series. Serves three groups of readers (pastors and lay people, theological students, biblical scholars) and serves all three admirably. Those who read Hebrew will benefit most; those who do not should not be deterred from wading through the rich discussions of this British scholar known for his breadth and depth and gift for clarity.