Esther gets its own volume now as the NAC morphs into the CSC. The old volume was combined with Ezra-Nehemiah, and though serviceable, this one improves the commentary on Esther. Andrew Steinmann has produced quite a body of work by this point and is getting a good reputation. He is pleasantly reliable in his approach to the text.

Esther is a challenge for some scholars and the result is that plenty of commentaries have been written on this lovely book that have the equivalent value of a mechanical pencil without lead. Here the pencil is stocked and writes again.

Steinmann marshals fine material and helpfully presents it even in areas that are often dull. In my estimation, he is better presenting the trees than the forest. To be sure, he beautifully presents the trees, picks the right trees to present, and leads us to being proficient spiritual arborists. I’m not saying he never presents the big picture, it just doesn’t seem he carries it over with the right oomph. In fairness, he discusses things like reversals and things that God is doing and so he doesn’t miss it. Fortunately, he gives you every thing you need so that if you are paying attention at all, you will arrive at the big picture on your own.

In the introduction, he covers everything well except structure. An outline is all he offers on that score.

The commentary is sufficiently detailed and is exactly what most people will need. If you need a massive exegetical commentary, check out the superb EEC volume on Esther. If you just need something for teaching and preaching or personal study, you will likely highly value this work. It would in my opinion substantially outrank the similarly styled TOTC volume on Esther.

I feel this commentary might be exactly what many are looking for.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255