Old Testament commentary sets...for regular people!

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In this episode we’re looking at two popular-level Old Testament commentary series from ‪@InterVarsityPress‬ that I regularly use and recommend.
The Bible Speaks Today series is available at: www.ivpress.co... The Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series is available at: www.ivpress.co...
The Kidner Classic Commentaries series is available at: www.ivpress.co...
Christopher Wright’s “Hearing the Message of Ecclesiastes” book is available at: www.amazon.com...
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[@seeqr9]

Dr. Michael Heiser is the OT scholar that will alway have a special place in my heart. If it weren't for him, I would've never come to a place where I even see the value of scholars let alone trust them. In fact I found Carmen Imes thru his ASOT, his school, and thru looking more into her is how I found Disciple Dojo which has been such a blessing to me in the short time I've been a subscriber.

[@pattube]

I love the Bible Speaks Today series! 😊 It's probably my favorite commentary series for average people (like me)! The general editors were John Stott and Alec Motyer. Both have gone to be with the Lord now. Stott primarily for the NT and Motyer primarily for the OT. Of course, Stott was a famous British evangelical, so little needs to be said about him. However, Motyer is less known, but he's in fact one of my favorite biblical scholars. When JI Packer and Motyer taught at Trinity College in Bristol, UK, before Packer moved to Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, I've heard it said that seminary students (aka Bible college or theological college students in Britspeak) "went to Trinity for Packer, but stayed for Motyer". Motyer was a wonderfully intelligent, biblically saturated, linguistically gifted, immensely insightful, humble OT scholar. He was also an impishly humored Irishman. For example, Motyer once called the white page between the OT and the NT in most of our Bibles "the abomination of desolation" because he believed that the entire Bible is one unified book, primarily about God bringing the Messiah to reconcile and restore fallen sinful people to himself so that he can dwell with us again and we with him, as in Eden so too in the new heavens and earth (e.g. Revelation 21:3), but Bible publishers placing a white page between the testaments makes it seem like there's a hard and fast difference or even dichotomy between OT and NT rather than a single consistent unfolding beautiful story. Regarding Motyer's work, though there are great commentarirs on the Psalms (e.g. Allen, Waltke), Motyer wrote my personal favorite commentary on the Psalms, snugly tucked away inside (my favorite single volume commentary on the entire Bible) the New Bible Commentary. Motyer also wrote a mighty fine commentary on Isaiah and several other commentaries and works on various OT books including contributions to the Bible Speaks Today series. His little pocket book on loving the OT is a pure joy to read as well. In the end, Motyer said of himself that he wasn't a scholar but just a man who learned to love the Bible thanks to his pious grandmother. Anyway Motyer and Stott were godly men and the Bible Speaks Today series is a wonderful series aimed at laypeople like me. It's not perfect by any means, no series is, there are several clunkers in there, and no one would likely agree with everything in the series, but still overall I'd highly recommend the Bible Speaks Today, and I'd highly recommend anything by Motyer. Perhaps a good place to start would be Motyer's translations with commentary on the Psalms or Isaiah. 😊

[@DiscipleDojo]

I love everything about this comment! THIS is what we love to see here in the Dojo!

[@jimyoung9262]

I recently came across Alec Motyer as well. He was very brilliant and insightful and when you hear him speak in a video his love for the Lord Jesus is evident. He is one of my favorite teachers.

[@1334cass]

Thank you for this comment!

[@heatherfisher4756]

I just received my copies in the mail today of The Bible Speaks Today Genesis 1-11 and 12-50. Also, How to Read the Bible for All it’s Worth came in the mail yesterday aaaaaand How to Read the Bible Book by Book will be here tomorrow 🙂👍🏻. Thanks for the recommendations!

[@1Lord1Faith1Baptism]

Thank you for your review of these commentaries! My favorite commentaries at this level are NIV Application, Wiersbe, Barclay, and N.T. Wright/John Goldingay's For Everyone series.

[@ElJefe437]

I appreciate all your recommendation videos as a fledgling bible nerd. I don’t know any academic bible scholars to have a favorite lol. I grew up in a less academic arm of religion, to put it diplomatically. Been enjoying the NET bible as a companion to my trusty old KJV, I appreciate the almost pedantically detailed notes the provided with regard to the language.

[@rebeccawebster5441]

I am just starting my journey into in-depth Bible study so I don’t have a favorite. I watch your videos to help me know where to start. Thank you and God bless.

[@CharlesStarkey-c6p]

I like Robert Alter especially his work on the Psalms. Derek Kidner''s book A Time To Mourn is wonderful! Oh, in double checking, that book got rebranded as TBST!

[@TheCripeCrew]

I’m just starting to dip my toe into using more in-depth commentaries for the average reader. So far I’ve been using Wiersbe’s Be: series and NT Wright’s For Everyone series

[@burgessshale66]

I really like John Walton. He brings such clarity to the Old Testament with respect to the ANE culture, particularly his work on Genesis.

[@adamharris705]

More in-depth Bible study is something I want to pursue this year. As I’ve never really studied beyond whatever study Bible I’m currently using, I don’t really have a favorite commentator since I’m not really familiar with any. I’ve come across your channel lately and I’ve gotten a lot of good recommendations. I just haven’t had the time or resources yet to dive into one. I’ve read a lot of C. S. Lewis over the years, fiction and nonfiction. He’s been one of my favorite authors for a long time. Other than him, I’m not really familiar with anyone.

[@fvdm6865]

I am fairly new to getting deeper into my Bible so I can not say who is my favorite OT scholar but I got interested because of Michael Heiser and his book “supernatural’, the lay version of “Unseen realm”. Then I bought the OT and NT survey books written by Norman Geisler which I enjoy a lot. From Kindner I do have the two Psalms commentary’s because I very much enjoy reading and studying the psalms. So no favorite OT scholars yet, that is why I watched your video which was very helpful.

[@sadusattack2628]

I have The Bible Knowledge Commentary. A 2 volume set by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck. Walvoord is my favorite scholar because he was a dispensationalist and a believer. Honorable mentions go to Tremper Longman III, Warren W. Wiersbe, Jon Courson and R.K. Harrison.

[@C.M.Manley]

Dr Michael Heiser He opened up my thinking to the less talked about parts of the Old Testament.

[@TonyThomas10000]

I love Charles Spurgeon. His Treasury of David is a classic and I am looking forward to the Spurgeon Commentary Collection: Old Testament by Lexham Press. Spurgeon goes deep because of his deep reading and amazing expository skills.

[@joshbobbitt4296]

Not OT specific, but I’ve always found J. Vernon McGee to be VERY approachable.

[@OneStepToday]

I only know about some Wenham's commentary on Leviticus, it's very scholarly

[@americanswan]

I don't know what sort of communion juice Ellen White was drinking, but her two volume comments on the Old Testament are amazing.

[@missinglink_eth]

I like Walton’s functional view on Genesis 1 and its temple implications.

[@embeddedautomation2464]

My favorite OT scholar is Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who I discovered through an interview here on Disciple Dojo. Dr. Heiser's ministry opened my eyes to many things in the OT I hadn't seen previously. I've appreciated his teaching, humor, and insight. It was a tremendous loss when he passed away, but his ministry continues to be a blessing through the many videos and his podcast which remain online.

[@ruvenpeskin]

My favorite Old Testament scholar is Ibn Ezra because he’s very succinct and logical, focusing on the plain meaning of the text.

[@AIToughts]

Jesus is my favourite OT scholar. Then I would say Mike Heiser. :)

[@Mangobed717]

Haven't really gotten into any resources outside what the Archeological Study Bible and the Net bible notes have to offer, but I do enjoy watching anything Douglas Stuart , Chris Wright, and you and your interview guests have on YT about the Old Testament.

[@wrathmcel]

My favorite OT scholar is the late Dr Michael S. Heiser. He didn't hesitate to deal with the weird parts of the OT; he often said, "If it's weird, it's important." His podcast and books did so much to help me understand the OT in its Ancient Near East context and to see the hyperlinks between the OT and NT.

[@BitesOfFaith]

At the moment I don't have a favorite Old Testament commentator due to the fact I've mostly run into Calvinists teaching. However, I am trying to start a ministry for women and I am looking for one that I can get a proper footing with. Ironically, I'm studying the book of Genesis for the first part of this year. My husband recently lost his job and we are facing hardships. I wish that my local library would have a copy that I could at least start to read.

[@youngrevival9715]

My favorite old testament scholar is Douglas Stuart, his exodus commentary will be a standard reference for hundreds of years if Christ doesn’t return by then

[@hightide1500]

Dennis Prager’s Genesis and Exodus commentaries are my latest reads ✡️

I've only started to read the bible couple of weeks ago, so I don't even know what good scolars/commentators are, but if Derek Kidner is good I'd like to get it.

[@annacbrown1986]

I'm a pretty new Bible scholar and don't have any favorites yet. I would love to get to know some and hope that you'll still consider me for the drawing ❤

[@ebortoni]

So I've recently been on a journey to get deeper in the Word. So far, Christopher Wright's book on Deuteronomy has been excellent (thanks for recommending it) and I've really enjoyed Alec Motyer and his work on the Psalms.

[@erodrig356]

My favorite OT scholar is Tremper Longman III. He has really opened my eyes in relation to how the Bible can contain literature that is founded on true events but describing them in a style that is communicated as “mythology”. I believe he also makes it easier to harmonize new scientific discoveries with the scriptures since the point is that the Bible was never written to completely be read literally. He digs deep into Old Testament books such as Genesis, Ecclesiastes and Psalms, but also makes the Bible accessible to lay people such as myself. Thank you for entering me into the contest and for your greatly needed work on this KZbin channel! I am especially enjoying your ongoing Psalms series!

[@DiscipleDojo]

He's also a really nice guy in person! 🙂

[@tsukareppi]

I really love the Layman’s Commentary. I find the set perfect for everyday study, including “take it home” moments that summarize important concepts. Thanks for introducing these two series-I’d not heard of them before! P.S. Great samurai cap!

[@luxxy677]

The commentary on the Old Testament in ten volumes (I'm missing 2 which is Exodus) by C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch is super resourceful and God has super blessed me with them. The Hebrew is presented sincerely and also cites many other interpretations of the text thereof. Also, they cite many other theologians (such as Calvin or Knobel) throughout and present their arguments or agreeances. It also cites a lot of extrabiblical writings such as those from Josephus or the Babylonian Talmud. I haven't finished reading through it yet, but, mate I recommend it.

[@jimyoung9262]

Good recommendations JM. These are really helpful.

[@BramptonAnglican]

My favourite is CS Lewis I love his writings.

[@RykerLutjens]

My favorite OT scholar has got to be Tim Mackie, the accessibility and depth of his work at BibleProject is hard to rival! But if we're talking about the more academic side of the field, I've enjoyed what I've read from Mackie's former professor, John H. Sailhamer, especially his exploration of the literary artistry of the Torah in The Pentateuch as Narrative

[@DiscipleDojo]

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE THE RANDOMLY CHOSEN WINNER! Email me your address via the contact form at www.discipledojo.org/contact and I'll get it in the mail to you ASAP!

[@oliviacribb2931]

What exactly is a commentary? Is it giving historical information? How to apply the text to your life? I'm reading the Bible for the first time and only in Leviticus so I'm not super familiar.

[@DiscipleDojo]

A commentary is a book that walks through a book of the Bible and explains what the text is saying. Some commentaries are very technical and focus on aspects of the language or grammar, others are more general and just help readers understand the flow of thought or overall message of the book. They vary based on who the author is. The ones in this video are all written by Biblical scholars who are broadly evangelical, both European and American, but who present the material in ways that any interested reader could follow along with. That is why I recommended these sets for anyone struggling to understand specific books in the Hebrew Bible.

[@nicolasm.516]

My favorite OT academic is the Phd. Carmen Joy Imes, her academic work and erudition have made me deepen and enjoy the study of the Torah, I really recommend her work since it will be very beneficial for everyone. Thank you Dojo for your recommendation.

[@copperpenny0209]

Hi. I'm new to bible study and don't have a favorite scholar at this time. I'm currently reading the bible daily and feel led to also study the Book of Ruth. I'm using The Message of Ruth to assist in that study. Thank you for all that you share because I'm paying attention and learning. Would love to know if you have any suggestions for the Ruth study. I understand I may not qualify for the giveaway.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Definitely check out "The Gospel of Ruth" by Carolyn Custis James! She was a guest here on the channel and our discussion is in the Interviews playlist. Her book is the best popular level book on Ruth that I've ever read.

[@copperpenny0209]

@@DiscipleDojo Thank you!

[@jeffreybrannen9465]

Paul House. His “Old Testament Theology” I’ve dogeared and noted up. I especially appreciate his treatment of the Minor Prophets as a single “book”. I’m currently working through his two volumes on Isaiah

[@jeffreybrannen9465]

His explanation that the prophetic message is threefold: sin, judgment, and redemption has been of tremendous value in teaching. Isaiah, that pattern occurs seven times. Jeremiah, the order is sin, promise of redemption, then judgment because the judgment is so terrible. In Ezekiel, the pattern is sin, judgment, and redemption. The Book of the Twelve, Hosea-Amos (emphasis is Sin); Obadiah-Micah (emphasis Judgment) Nahum-Malachi (emphasis Redemption)

[@jg8575]

James Michael Smith is my favorite Old Testament scholar!

[@DiscipleDojo]

😅😅 Don't let the ACTUAL Bible scholars hear you say that!

[@JoelTrousdale88]

My favorite OT scholar is Christopher Wright. He’s really opened my eyes to so many things in the text without needing to know Hebrew to do so!

[@Yaas_ok123]

Which are Wright's best books ?

[@AndreFavron]

Having recently divested myself of my 1st College level study book "God Spake By Moses - An Exposition on the Pentateuch" by Oswald Allis (it is now in a box in my archived attic) as I repopulate my bookshelf with many of the Newer Bibles that you have been highlighting, and with the new "understanding" of Scripture that I have been gleaning from the teachings of the late Dr. Micheal S. Heiser (who has become my go-to scholar on Biblical Theology) I realize that I would be truly blessed to receive this updated work on the book of Genesis. Please consider this request from Ontario, Canada. (I will even help cover shipping and extra duties charges 🙂

[@jonesingblues4384]

I am a little late in my life to walking my path towards the light. I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and never knew about commentaries. I am a lay person, so when I started my path, I leaned towards scripture only and finding a good translation of the scriptures that I felt I could rely. I finally settled on the ESV Study Bible as my go to bible, but I do have the Scofield Study Bible KJV, and NASB. After much reading and studying the scriptures, listening to different teachers (Tim Mackie, Allistaiar Begg, Bruce Gore to name a few) I think I am ready to go deeper and into doctrine/creeds of the early church and a deeper dive into the Hebrew Scriptures. I don't know why I have been reluctant to dive into the Hebrew Scriptures, now I think is the time is here for me to start at "the beginning" and dog paddle my way through the OT law books. So I don't have a favorite OT scholar or interpreter at this time...am searching at this time to get a good set.

[@BibleTreasuresAndReviews]

Thank you for sharing about Kidner. I've never heard of him.

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Thank you for this video, for explaining those commentaries. I don't know much about all the different scholars, but I like Hermann Gunkel enough to remember his name and look for him in bibliographies when buying books. I like that he leans into the importance of the social context at the time a scripture was written and the impact of oral tradition.

[@tonylawson7048]

Another great video JM. So thankful for your content. The Holy Spirit is mostly definitely guiding you. As for as my favorite old scholar. I will Have to go with your guy Christopher J.H. Wright. His writings are easy to reader and at the same time very thoughtful and in depth. Just finish his “ here are your god.” So good help me look at the idols in my life. Again, thanks brother. Have a blessed day.

[@cbrooks97]

I don't actually want to be in the drawing (no space lol) but my favorite OT person is Dale Ralph Davis. He makes the OT narratives really come alive and manages to apply them to the modern world. Of course, Kaiser and Motyer are great, too.

[@homescholed]

So many great scholars, but my favorite would have to be Dr. Doug moo. He really opens up scripture. His work on Roman’s and James in the pntc is great.

[@tgleo1]

Thank you for this really helpful review! I didn't even know I had The Bible Speaks Today - but all 55 volumes must have been in a package I bought in Logos. I've now added it to my Bible study layout, so it will be one of the commentaries that's always open to the passage I'm reading. It nicely rounds out the handful of commentaries I have open in that layout. Thank you!

[@cottingtonmae]

I have been going through your review videos and interviews and really do find them educational. I, like someone below, don’t have a favorite, as I am newer. I read the Bible in three translations last year and am working through KJV now. My kids and I have also been slowly studying and reading the Bible together at home, and I always appreciate solid videos like yours and a few other people on YT to help me in figuring out which resources, besides the Bible, to be reading. Lol - I just worked off your book lists a couple weeks ago when Powell’s was having its big sale. Anyway, long comment to say I can’t have a favorite, yet, but I mostly have study bibles and would love to get more into some of the commentaries - and also wish I was just going to get a degree, as i feel that would be easier for me to have direction, aha!! Thanks for all you do here!

[@davidanfinrud3438]

I recently picked up the Bible Speaks Today series for Logos but I also have the Tyndale set also. Both have some very good information in them. But I also have the ACCS set that gives me the Early Church Fathers thinkng of the Whole Bible. Looking at the past and their thinking compared to today. When studying a tough passage I like to take a look at each era and various authors. You can tell a lot from reading a commentary about a persons belief and what he may ignore. I have one set from a theologian big into everyone goes to Heaven. Every verse talking about not entering the Kingdom of God he Ignores. I made certain to label him a univeralist. So I have a warning on the direction he takes the Bible.

[@BiblicallyNoted]

I don't know that I can say a favorite OT commentator or interpretor. One - I'm still getting familiar with a lot of the people, how they speak and write to make the Bible clearer. But also their theological stances, etc. I can be very -- aprehensive -- of people's work so it takes a while for me to trust what someone is saying. It really helps when someone I know and trust recommends a scholar.

[@djlopez214]

I am always amazed when I use Gordon Wenham' Genesis commentary for my studies. I also keep seeing his name all over Torah studies so I've really come to appreciate his work. If I can cheat, I'd also say Greg Beale. His various works on NT use of the OT have been so helpful.

[@44jwall]

I don’t know too many OT scholars, but Dr. John Meade has been really good on the canon of the OT.

[@Gq_Dre]

Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams is my favorite Old Testament scholar - she has been the one to really helped me dig into the Old Testament stories in a depper way. She has a way of breaking it down and presenting some thoughts without makng it seem like there is only one way to look at it. She also stresses the fact that you will never know it all, understanding the OT and Bible in general is a lifelong journey.

[@e.m.8094]

Do you happen to have a video on NT commentaries that you like, or can you recommend a few? EDIT: One commentary I was thinking about was the Gundry one. 🤔

[@DiscipleDojo]

N.T. Wright's "New Testament for Everyone" and the Bible Speaks Today are both good entry level sets for NT.

[@e.m.8094]

@@DiscipleDojo THANKS!! 👍

[@e.m.8094]

I've heard a lot of good things about the John Stott Romans edition of The Bible Speaks Today.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Anything by Stott is worth reading, even when I differ from him at times.

[@e.m.8094]

@@DiscipleDojo 💯

[@LocaChoca]

I have been wanting to get more into commentaries, but honestly didn't know where to start because the price point is so intimidating. Since I am fairly new to deep diving, I don't have a favorite Biblical scholar yet, but so far I do enjoy reading about the early church fathers. In particular Thomas Aquinas and John Calvin, even if I don't always agree with them.

[@Strongtower]

Check out commentaries on logos bible software. They are cheaper online vs on paper.

[@LocaChoca]

@@Strongtower I'm unfortunately pretty invested in Olive Tree, and unless they have big sales on them, they are unaffordable on my current budget.

[@Strongtower]

@@LocaChoca Logos can have really cheap books when they are in bundles. Does olive tree do that too?

[@LocaChoca]

@@Strongtower I don't believe Olive Tree does bundles. Sometimes an entire series goes on sale, but that is fairly uncommon to get a major discount.

[@joakimrantanen3401]

My favourite OT commentary writer is Christopher Wright. I also really like John Goldingay, but even better than his commentaries (those I read), was the Pentateuch lectures by Fuller. I don’t know if they are available anymore, but the were free on itunes for many years. Not a typical evangelical scholar, but a wonderful lecturer for a curious and interested mind.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Half of what I read by Goldingay is brilliant...the other half makes me want to throw the book away. Haha, there are a few others out there I feel that way about. Love some of what they write, hate some of what they write! 😅 If we only read those we agree with, we're doing it wrong.

[@JustinRaynor-e2f]

I’m just starting my path into Bible commentaries so Im just beginning to be introduced to the Old TestamentTestament scholars. But I have gained a lot of information from Allen Nolan, a pastor and Bible Scholar, who goes in depth with scripture at a pace that a beginner Christian can understand. His explanations of scripture has really driven e to go further and begin looking into commentaries. The first one I got was a Matthew Henry commentary. Really enjoying it so far. Thank you for the videos. I plan on looking into some of these from this set. 😊