Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, the Zondervan
Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament features today’s top Old
Testament scholars and brings together commentary features rarely
gathered together in one volume. With careful discourse analysis
and interpretation of the Hebrew text, the authors trace the flow
of argument in each Old Testament book, showing that how a biblical
author says something is just as important as what they say.
Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help
readers grasp the flow and meaning of the text:
- The Main Idea of the Passage: A one- or two-sentence summary of
the key ideas the biblical author seeks to communicate.
- Literary Context: A brief discussion of the relationship of the
specific text to the book as a whole and to its place within the
broader argument.
- Translation and Exegetical Outline: Commentators provide their
own translations of each text, formatted to highlight its discourse
structure and accompanied by a coherent outline that reflects the
flow and argument of the text.
- Structure and Literary Form: An overview of the literary
structure and rhetorical style adopted by the biblical author,
highlighting how these features contribute to the communication of
the main idea of the passage.
- Explanation of the Text: A detailed commentary on the passage,
paying particular attention to how the biblical authors select and
arrange their materials and how they work with words, phrases, and
syntax to communicate their messages.
- Canonical and Practical Significance: The commentary on each
unit will conclude by building bridges between the world of the
biblical author and other biblical authors and with reflections on
the contribution made by this unit to the development of broader
issues in biblical theology—particularly on how later Old
Testament and New Testament authors have adapted and reused the
motifs in question. The discussion also includes brief reflections
on the significance of the message of the passage for readers
today.
The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series
is the go-to resource for pastors and Bible teachers looking for
deep but accessible study that equips them to connect the needs of
Christians today with the biblical text.