Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802837115 ISBN 13: 9780802837110

Publisher: Eerdmans, 2003

Synopsis

No one familiar with the Bible needs to be told that it is a truly remarkable work. But it takes help to understand this ancient collection of diverse forms of literature written by different people across many centuries. The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (ECB) is the finest, most up-to-date single-volume Bible handbook now available.

Written by world-class Bible scholars, the ECB encapsulates in nontechnical language the best of modern scholarship on the sixty-six biblical books plus the Apocrypha. The only one-volume Bible commentary to cover all the texts (even including 1 Enoch) regarded by one or more Christian churches as canonical, the ECB provides reader-friendly treatments and succinct summaries of each section of the text that will be valuable to scholars, students and general readers alike.

The primary objective of this work is to clarify the meaning of each section of the Bible. Rather than attempting a verse-by-verse analysis (virtually impossible in a one-volume work), the ECB focuses on principal units of meaning -- narrative, parable, prophetic oracle, section of argument, and so on -- highlighting their interconnectedness with the rest of the biblical text. The volume also addresses and answers major issues -- including the range of possible interpretations -- and refers readers to the best fuller discussions. Beyond providing reliable, informative commentary, this hefty volume also includes thirteen introductory and context-setting articles that do justice to the biblical documents both as historical sources and as scriptures. 

The sixty-seven contributors to the ECB come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are acknowledged leaders in the field of biblical studies. Their contributions stand out either for their fresh interpretations of the evidence, or for their way of asking new questions of the text, or for their new angles of approach. While the translation of choice is the New Revised Standard Version, many of the contributors offer their own vivid translations of the original Hebrew or Greek.

Cutting-edge, comprehensive, and ecumenical, the ECB is both a fitting climax to the rich body of interconfessional work undertaken in the latter part of the twentieth century and a worthy launching pad for biblical study in the twenty-first.




Special features of the ECB

• The only one-volume commentary to cover all the texts (including the Apocrypha and 1 Enoch) regarded as canonical
   
• Thirteen major essays that introduce each section of Scripture and its study
   
• Encapsulates in nontechnical language the best of modern scholarship
   
• Includes superb bibliographies and an extensive subject index
   
• Written by sixty-seven first-rate Bible scholars
   
• Designed for use by scholars, students, pastors, and general readers
   

About this title

About the Author

Widely regarded as one of the foremost scholars in the world today on the thought and writings of St. Paul, JamesD. G. Dunn is Lightfoot Professor Emeritus of Divinity at the University of Durham in England.

Review

Catholic Library World
"A veritable treasure chest of sound biblical scholarship. . . The commentary is easily accessible to the scholar, student, pastor, and general reader and should surely be among the essential resources for any high school, college, or seminary library." Catholic Biblical Quarterly
"Comprehensive and ecumenical in scope and reader-friendly in format, the ECB is the finest, most up-to-date single-volume biblical commentary now available. Written by well-known scholars, theECB encapsulates in nontechnical language the cutting edge of modern scholarship on the sixty-six biblical books of the Protestant canon plus the Apocrypha. . . Its succinct interpretations of the sacred books will be helpful to scholars, pastors, students, and general readers. . . An invaluable 'one-stop' guide." Concordia Journal
"The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible is the finest, most up-to-date single-volume Bible handbook now available. . . A virtual Goliath among midgets." Lawrence Boadt
"The new Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible has many special strengths. The first is that it reflects the growing trend in current biblical scholarship to focus on the overall meaning of each book of the Bible. Top scholars provide all of the critical and historical information normally demanded of a good commentary, but rather than offer verse-by-verse analyses that too often become trapped on small points of exegesis, they examine the major literary units of each biblical book, showing how they fit together to form a dramatic unity. The second strength of this commentary is that it includes the Catholic deuterocanonical books, the pseudepigraphical book 1 Enoch, and the Qumran literature. A third strength is the book's very helpful extended essays on notable themes and issues in biblical studies interspersed within the commentaries themselves, such as the treatment of the special character of prophetic speech and the importance of the temple, both found in the introductory section of Isaiah. Overall, this is a very reader-friendly commentary that, at the same time, does not sacrifice anything of concern to scholars." Susan R. Garrett
"The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible will be a rich and enduring resource for all who seek to understand the Bible in its literary, historical, and theological dimensions. The essays on biblical books are written by highly respected scholars and present the best fruits of recent research in ways that are engaging and persuasive. Moreover, the wide-ranging introductory articles will serve everyone from beginning students of Scripture to scholars wanting to refresh their knowledge. Recommended for churches, students, pastors, and scholars." Tremper Longman III
"Utilizing the considerable talents of scholars representing a broad theological spectrum, theEerdmans Commentary on the Bible provides readers with a concise, stimulating, sometimes provocative reading of the biblical text. I commend this volume to all who want a handy scholarly resource as they grapple with the meaning of the text. " John J. Collins
"The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible contains scholarship that is both international and ecumenical, including contributions from Catholics as well as Protestants. Most of the contributors have well-established international reputations, and several are at the top of their field. Especially welcome is the inclusion of the Apocrypha, two essays on the Dead Sea Scrolls, an introduction to the Pseudepigrapha, and even a commentary on 1 Enoch, which may be unique to a Bible commentary of this kind. The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible is a very useful resource for college and seminary students and those who teach them. " Frank J. Matera
"Comprehensive in scope and reader-friendly in format, Eerdmans Commentary on the Bibleprovides students, pastors, and interested lay folk with a series of reliable commentaries on every book of the Bible, including the Old Testament Apocrypha and 1 Enoch. For those seeking a single volume that will provide them with reliable commentary on Scripture, and for teachers looking for a one-volume commentary to put into the hands of their students, the Eerdmans Commentary is just the right work." Daniel J. Harrington
"Produced by an ecumenical team of biblical scholars from all over the English-speaking world, this one-volume commentary on the entire Bible will be a great resource for theology students, religious educators, and pastors. The serious attention given to the Old Testament Apocrypha (and 1 Enoch) is an especially welcome feature. The contributors are distinguished and diverse, the scholarship is solid and up to date, and the format is inviting and user-friendly." Times Literary Supplement
"There are many gems here, and the ECB will meet the needs of much of its intended readership: 'scholars, students, pastors, and general readers'."

About this edition

• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0802837115
• ISBN 13: 9780802837110
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1649
• Editor: Dunn James D. G.