SEPHARIM ‘AL HA-MIQRA’: Books About the Scriptures (Genesis)
Sepher is the English transliteration of the Hebrew word meaning 'book'. The im makes the noun plural. Meanwhile, 'al is the preposition 'about'; ha is the definite article 'the'; and miqra' refers to Scripture that is received by public reading or proclamation, as in corporate worship.
This column is a selection of sepharim 'al Genesis, which is the focus of this winter quarter here at the Institute.
Genesis: Translation and Commentary by R. B. Alter
Definitely not a commentary of the normal variety, this is the product of a brilliant literary critic’s “experiment in re-presenting the Bible–and, above all, biblical narrative prose in a language that conveys with some precision the semantic nuances and the lively orchestration of literary effects of the Hebrew and at the same time has stylistic and rhythmic integrity as literary English.” In other words, this is Alter’s attempt to reproduce the finer nuances of the Hebrew text of Genesis in contemporary English idiom. Following a 30-page critique of everything that’s “seriously wrong with all the familiar English translations, traditional and recent, of the Hebrew Bible” (on which he is at least partially correct), Alter briefly introduces Genesis and then embarks on his own lively and fluent translation, with footnotes that explain some of his translational choices. Those footnotes are the extent of the commentary. Alter’s work won’t substitute for more rigorous textual engagement of the explanatory sort, but it definitely opens up fresh possibilities when read with discernment.
Genesis by B. T. Arnold
A medium-level commentary for those who appreciate the hallmarks of the New Cambridge series: accessibility to a wide range of users, inclusion of the entire NRSV text, serious but economical discussion of the biblical text, a combination of older critical approaches with the more recent rhetorical methodologies of the last four decades, and “Suggested Reading” lists. Arnold is a competent Hebrew scholar with a strong interest in the biblical text as well as in Ancient Near Eastern history and culture. The latter sometimes exerts more influence on the interpretive discussion than it might (especially in the “Closer Look” sections), but Arnold is careful not to leave the text in the excavated soil of the ancient world (especially in his “Bridging the Horizons” sections, which enable readers to see the enduring relevance of Genesis in the 21st century). Pastors, teachers, and Bible students will appreciate Arnold’s thoughtful and insightful work.
Beginnings: Ancient Christian Readings of the Biblical Creation Narratives by P. C. Bouteneff
This is not a commentary of the usual genre, but a study too valuable to pass over. Bouteneff zeroes in on the first four centuries of Christian interpretation, with special attention to the Church’s reflection on Genesis 1–3 and with one specific question in mind: “how literally did they read the creation narratives?” He begins with Paul and the New Testament, surveys the 2nd-century apologists (Justin, Melito, Theophilus, Irenaeus), discusses the 3rd-century “World of Origen and the Origin of the World” (including Turtullian), and reviews representative 4th-century figures (Cyril, Athanasius, Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa). This informative study goes a long way toward correcting those approaches which dismiss patristic commentators as premodern or prescientific, or which fail to appreciate how allegory and typology actually functioned in the early Church. Bouteneff has rendered a service that is biblically, theologically, historically, and hermeneutically rich.
Genesis by W. Brueggemann
The publisher’s claim that (Nebraska native!) Brueggemann is “the world’s leading interpreter of the Old Testament” overreaches, but his many published works definitely reward thoughtful reading. In keeping with the Interpretation series, this volume “presents the integrated result of historical and theological work with the biblical text” in a manner “designed to meet the need of students, teachers, ministers, and priests for a contemporary expository commentary.” In Brueggemann’s own words, “This exposition of Genesis comes out of the church and is addressed to the church.” That being said, those familiar with Brueggemann will experience the same kind of boldness, imagination, and risk that characterize his other works; but they will definitely be the better for the engagement. A significant feature of Brueggemann’s exposition of Genesis is its focus on the call of God as central to the book, yielding the outline: The “Pre-History”: The Sovereign Call of God (1:1–11:29), The Abraham Narrative: The Embraced Call of God (11:30–25:18), The Jacob Narrative: The Conflicted Call of God (25:19–36:43), and The Joseph Narrative: The Hidden Call of God (37:1–50:26).
Genesis by R. R. Reno
The Brazos series departs from the usual approach to commentary writing by assuming that Christian theological tradition, not merely historical and philological data, “provides the proper basis for the interpretation of the Bible as Christian Scripture.” Like the other contributors to this series (see, e.g., Stubbs on Numbers and Work on Deuteronomy), Reno is not a biblical scholar in the conventional sense (he teaches theological ethics at Creighton University), but he brings his expertise to bear on listening to the scriptural text in ways biblical exegetes sometimes overlook. This results in a commentary of a different sort–one that is rich in conversation with the rest of the Bible, with the early Church fathers, and with Jewish interpreters. Reno does not offer a detailed exposition of every verse in Genesis (he calls his approach “eccentric” and “diverse and eclectic”), but he does not duck difficult issues in the book, even as he shows how its reading points forward to Christ and continues to speak as the Church’s Scriptures. This stimulating and provocative volume can be read with great profit alongside other more verse-by-verse commentaries.
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