The Book of Genesis, 2 vols. (New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)
Digital Logos Edition
Victor P. Hamilton’s two-volume study of Genesis in the NICOT series, this commentary contributes a solid, thorough explication of the wealth and depth of material embedded in Scripture’s foundational book.
The first volume contributes a solid, thorough explication of the wealth and depth of material embedded in Scripture’s foundational book. Hamilton’s substantive introduction—which serves both volumes discusses the structure of Genesis, its composition, its theology, the problems involved in its interpretation, its canonicity, and the Hebrew text itself.
The commentary proper, based on Hamilton’s own translation, evidences his extensive knowledge of the ancient Near East and of contemporary scholarship, including literary, form, and text criticism. Siding with the arguments in favor of the literary and theological unity of the Genesis text, Hamilton stresses the main theme running throughout the book—God’s gracious promise of blessing and reconciliation in the face of evil and sin.
The second volume of Victor P. Hamilton’s two-volume study of Genesis picks up in Genesis 18–50. Beginning with Abraham’s reception of the three visitors and his intercession before Yahweh on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18) and continuing through the end of the Joseph story (Gen. 50), the overarching theme of Hamilton’s commentary is Yahweh’s faithfulness to his promised word and his covenant commitments to those whom he has chosen to receive that promised word.
A unique feature of these volumesk is Hamilton's emphasis on the reading of Genesis by the New Testament community. Following his commentary on each section of Genesis, he discusses where and how the New Testament appropriated material from that section and incorporated it into the message of the New Covenant.
- Verse-by-verse commentary
- Links to original-language texts and English-language Bible translations
- In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters
- Introductions to each book’s authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology
- Detailed bibliography
- Links from all words—English, Greek, Hebrew, and other original languages— to lexicons in your digital library
The best of current evangelical scholarship. Biblical scholars and informed laypersons will find this an excellent resource for the study of Genesis.
—Hebrew Studies
Hamilton’s work is a thorough treatment of the meaning of the text. One of the best commentaries on Genesis available for expositors.
A substantial contribution to the study of the first part of Genesis. Its strengths lie in Hamilton’s philological, grammatical, and comparative Semitic work, as well as in his useful synthesis of prior research. It is a work that every researcher in this ancient text will want to consult.
A commentary that students of the Bible should read and keep on hand for frequent reference. Hamilton not only explains the biblical text with a balanced survey of the scholarly opinions expressed on it, but often adds his own original views. This book not only informs the reader but also makes him think.
—Cyrus H. Gordon, former director, Center for Ebla Research, New York University
An admirable work. A thorough, dependable, and illuminating exposition. The quality of its research is matched by the clarity of its comments. It is a major addition to the literature on Genesis and should be kept close at hand by all who want to plumb the depths of the Bible’s charter book.
—David Allan Hubbard, former president emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary
Users of the NICOT will not be disappointed with this addition to the series.
—J. Gerald Janzen, Macallister-Petticrew Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, Christian Theological Seminary
- Title: The Book of Genesis, 2 vols. (New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)
- Author: Victor P. Hamilton
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Print Publication Date: 1990–1995
- Resources: 2
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Resource ID: {AA2D9CE2-70D5-44BA-A3C4-DA24C3B20981}
Victor P. Hamilton, now retired, was professor of Bible and theology at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, for more than 35 years. He is the author of a two-volume commentary on Genesis, Handbook on the Pentateuch, and Handbook on the Historical Books.