Experts Recommend OT Commentaries: Jeremiah
Dr. Lissa Wray Beal Weighs In
Experts Recommend OT Commentaries: Jeremiah
Dr. Lissa Wray Beal (Guest Expert)
Dr. Lissa Wray Beal serves as Professor of Old Testament at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. She is co-editor of the Bible in God’s World series (along with Danny Carroll and myself). She has published extensively including commentaries on 1&2 Kings and Joshua. She is currently working on the Book of Jeremiah for the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament. We are honored to have her recommendations!
Technical
John Goldingay (NICOT). This large volume provides the author’s (often fresh) translation. Textual notes support translational choices and give an eye to LXX differences. Solid exegesis and theological reflection. Will be a standard for many years.
William Holladay (Hermeneia). This 2-volume work considers textual and compositional issues; is not reticent to smooth out disjunctions by suggesting textual dislocations. Detailed exegesis and attention to form, structure, and setting. Remains an important voice in the field.
Jack Lundbom (Anchor Bible). a 3-volume work whose strength is its commitment to translating the Masoretic Text as it stands, whenever possible. The enduring value of this work is its attention to Jeremiah’s rhetorical structures and its suasive techniques.
Semi-Technical
Terence Fretheim (Smyth & Helwys). A solid work that proceeds section-by-section and adds numerous helpful sidebars on questions of historical background, interpretive challenges, and modern reception. These are clearly marked and cross-referenced but are not too intrusive to the book’s flow. It is useful for pastors as well as teachers.
Carolyn J. Sharp (International Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament). This volume covers chapters 26–52 (Christl M. Maier on chapters 1-25) and considers the text diachronically and synchronically. Sharp’s feminist and postcolonial perspectives at times bring fresh insights and raise awareness of new scholarly trends.
Non-Technical
Christopher J. H. Wright (The Bible Speaks Today). A go-to for pastors and students. A small volume packed with informed exegesis and solid theological reflection. It provides a good sense of the whole and dips in to details judiciously. The work on the Book of Comfort is exceptional for a short engagement.
Jerome (Ancient Christian Texts). This pre-modern work on chapters 1–32 provides refreshing interpretive balance to modern commentaries. Its Christological connections are a reminder that Jeremiah can still profitably be read typologically.
Dr. Gupta, I love this series of posts! If possible, I would also love to hear some recommendations by an Old Testament scholar on Introductions to the Old Testament (similar to your recommendations for Introductions to the New Testament).