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OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARIES: GENESIS—RUTH

The first eight books of the Protestant canon narrate salvation history from creation to the period of the Judges. This cross-section of books includes the Pentateuch or Torah, which forms the heart of the OT, as well as the initial three entries in the corpus commonly designated the “Historical Books.” Behind the familiar stories of the Patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, the Ten Commandments, Samson and Delilah, etc. lies much profound theological reflection that ultimately shapes our ability to hear the message of the NT. Sadly, this potentially fecund ground lies fallow in many Christian churches today. This essay hopes to provide a map to the best commentaries for help in unearthing the exegetical treasures awaiting discovery in these ancient texts.
 
Wenham’s Genesis (2 vols.; Word, 1987/94), in the Word Biblical Commentary (WBC) provides an in-depth interpretation of the text. Its many strengths include attention to the structure of individual passages, engagement with critical issues, and sensitivity to the overall context of Genesis. Hamilton’s The Book of Genesis (Wm.B. Eerdmans, 1994/95), in the New International Commentary on the OT (NICOT) is also packaged in multiple volumes. It focuses on providing a close word-by-word exposition of the text. This commentary deals primarily with issues raised by grammar and lexical semantics. Additionally, Hamilton includes discussions of the NT’s interaction with Genesis (e.g., the use of Gen 15 in Gal 3 and Rom 4). Brueggemann’s Genesis in Interpretation (Westminster John Knox, 1982) is less detailed than Wenham’s or Hamilton’s, but it is explicitly theological in intent. His exposition is thought provoking and helpful.

Exodus is rightly well served by many fine commentaries. Durham’s Exodus (WBC; 1987) is organized around the theme of Yahweh’s powerful presence. Durham engages fully the historical-critical issues relevant to each passage, but never allows such a discussion to blur his overarching theological interests. Freitheim’s Exodus (1991) is a strong contribution to the Interpretation series. This engaging volume offers a thorough theological reading of Exodus including discussions of the presence of creation theology, divine sovereignty/human freedom, liberation, worship, law, and covenant. Only the first volume (Exod 1-18) of Propp’s Exodus: A New Translation and Commentary (Anchor Bible; Doubleday, 1999) has been published, but it is consistently outstanding. Propp carries on a lively debate with both ancient and modern exegetes. The comprehensive scope of the series allows Propp to offer his readers the fruits of the history of interpretation. Its sole drawback is that it is not as overtly theological as the above resources.

Leviticus stands at the center of the Pentateuch, but its complex rituals and laws are frequently bewildering and foreign to the modern reader. Fortunately, Wenham’s The Book of Leviticus (NICOT; 1994) and Hartley’s Leviticus (WBC; 1992) serve as reliable guides for extracting the oft-neglected riches of this book. Given its greater length, Hartley’s work is more detailed, but both explain well the meaning of sacrifice, holiness, clean/unclean, and atonement. NT usage and Christian appropriation are given ample treatment as well. For a shorter, but nonetheless helpful commentary, readers can turn to Harrison’s Leviticus (InterVarsity, 1980) in the Tyndale OT Commentary (TOTC).

Numbers, another book that is often neglected in the church, has received a number of impressive recent treatments. Olson’s Numbers (Interpretation; 1996) is brief, but theologically rich. It offers a reading organized around the overarching theme of the transference of faith/tradition to a new Israelite generation. Its strength lies in Olson’s appreciation and command of the overall structure/movement of the book. Ashley’s The Book of Numbers (NICOT; 1995) offers a detailed, grammatically driven exegesis of the text’s final form. Though not as synthetic as Olson’s, Ashley’s verse-by-verse exposition provides a firm foundation for further reflection. Budd’s Numbers (WBC; 1984) is helpful, but is hindered by its preoccupation with a source critical analysis that often masks the meaning of the finished product.

Craigie’s Deuteronomy (NICOT; 1994) emphasizes the covenantal structure of the book. It provides a reliable verse-by-verse treatment without undue focus on minutiae. Though Craigie focuses on understanding the text in its original context, he does consistently give hints for Christian appropriation and usage. Miller’s Deuteronomy (Interpretation; 1991) displays a masterful understanding of the book’s theology and intention. It explains the message of the book succinctly and at the same time places it in conversation with pertinent texts from both the Old and New Testaments. Though only partially complete (Deuteronomy 1-21:9, Rev. ed. [2001]), Christensen’s contribution to the WBC series promises to be a useful supplement to the above volumes. It includes a structural analysis of each passage and demonstrates sensitivity to Deuteronomy’s contacts with other OT literature. Aside from an idiosyncratic approach to Hebrew poetics, Christensen’s exposition is both detailed and clear.

Hawk’s Joshua in Berit Olam (Liturgical, 2001) offers an excellent literary analysis of the final form of the text. Freed from the often slippery historical questions regarding the “Conquest” of Canaan, Hawk’s reading focuses on the issue of identity: How does the text itself construe the meaning of the people of God, and what are core traits that identify one as an “Israelite”? Hawk is especially helpful in explaining such incongruities as the presence of many Canaanites (e.g., 13:1-7) alongside of statements that appear to indicate complete Israelite success in driving them out (e.g., 21:43-45). Hawk’s work can be supplemented by the more traditional approaches of Woudstra’s The Book of Joshua in the NICOT (1994) and Hess’s Joshua (TOTC; 1996). Hess’s is the stronger of the two, but both provide useful exegetical insights and discussions of historical background.

Few good commentaries exist on Judges. A notable exception is Block’s Judges, Ruth in The New American Commentary (Broadman & Holman, 1999). Block provides a detailed treatment of individual pericopae and writes with an appreciation for the larger theological concerns of the material. Other than the short volume by Cundall and Morris, Judges and Ruth (TOTC; 1968), readers must wait for the publication of the WBC, NICOT, and Interpretation volumes.
 
For Ruth, exegetes have several strong alternatives. Bush’s Ruth/Esther (WBC; 1996) and Hubbard’s The Book of Ruth (NICOT; 1994) provide substantive coverage of historical background as well as detailed exposition of the text. Sakenfeld’s Ruth (Interpretation; 1999) is a slender volume full of theological analysis and reflection. Her insightful comments revolve around the issues of community, loyal living, and God’s role in the story.

By Brian D. Russell, John Wesley Fellow, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary.