Anchor Yale Bible Commentary | AYBC (94 vols.)

by E. A. Speiser; William H. C. Propp; Moshe Weinfeld; Robert Boling

and

59 more

Publisher:

Yale University Press

, 1974–2023

What is the AYBC?

Founded in 1956, the Anchor Yale Bible Commentary series was initially developed to bring together leading scholars in the field of biblical studies. Over the decades, it has evolved to incorporate the latest research and methodological advancements, solidifying its reputation as a critical resource.

The AYBC is a comprehensive, book-by-book analysis of the Bible, including the Hebrew Bible, New Testament, and apocrypha. It aims to provide thorough exegesis and exact translations, drawing on the expertise of renowned scholars from various religious backgrounds, including eminent scholars such as E. A. Speiser, William H. C. Propp, Jacob Milgrom, and Baruch A. Levine.

Organized into individual volumes dedicated to each book of the Bible, the AYBC adopts a meticulous approach. Each volume includes comprehensive introductions, detailed exegesis, and extensive bibliographies, facilitating in-depth study.

Known for its scholarly rigor, the AYBC employs unique methodologies such as linguistic analysis, historical-critical methods, and comparative studies. This ensures a multifaceted understanding of biblical texts.

 

Key features of the AYBC

Major themes explored include covenant, prophecy, and eschatology. The commentary also addresses interpretive challenges and historical contexts, providing a well-rounded analysis of biblical narratives. This makes it a key resource for researchers, preachers, religious educators, and theologians. 

The most popular single volumes from the set are:

1. The Letter of James (AYBC)
2. Revelation (AYBC)
3. Galatians (AYBC)
4. Romans (AYBC)
5. The Gospel According to John I–XII (AYBC)

 

Mentioned in:

1. “4 Reasons Pastors & Bible Scholars Love the Anchor Yale Bible.” The commentary is described as a "Monday commentary" for pastors, due to its essential insights and historical context provided early in the week. It also underscores the depth and breadth of the series, which are enhanced by the capabilities offered through its integration with Logos.
2. “Which Commentary Is Best?” This blog post compares various commentaries, noting the AYBC's strong scholarly reputation. It explains that different commentaries serve different purposes and that the AYBC is particularly valuable for its critical academic approach and detailed exegesis.

About The Anchor Yale Bible Series

The Anchor Yale Bible Series, previously the Anchor Bible Series, is a renowned publishing program that for more than 50 years has produced books devoted to the latest scholarship on the Bible and biblical topics. Yale University Press, having acquired this prestigious series in 2007, is now proud to offer all previously published Anchor Bible titles as well as new books—more than 115 titles in all. Many more volumes are in progress as the AYB Editorial Board, under the direction of General Editor John J. Collins, vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible. Widely recognized as the flagship of American biblical scholarship, the Anchor Yale Bible Series is comprised of:

• Anchor Yale Bible Commentary (AYBC), a book-by-book translation and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha
• Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (AYBD), a state-of-the-art dictionary in six volumes with more than 6,000 entries from 800 international scholars
• The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library, containing more than 40 volumes by foremost scholars from a variety of religious backgrounds who focus on broad biblical themes