The TOTC series gives us a new work on Ezra and Nehemiah here. Geert Lorein is a unique choice for this volume as he previously wrote a commentary on these books in Dutch. While bringing us Dutch theologians used to be a thing, it’s been a while since I noticed one show up as a new commentary. Clearly, Lorein is up to the task.

Perhaps the oddest thing about the commentary is how the author switches back and forth from writing to a brand new Bible student to that then of a seasoned student. It doesn’t sink the book, but it is noticeable.

The Introduction is full for this series and concludes pretty conservatively. He digs quickly into the historical background. (It’s comical how much he didn’t like the publisher asking him to use miles rather than kilometers!). There are even occasional maps and charts that are quite helpful. He well describes the context like with, say, Xerxes. Additionally, he describes the relationship of Ezra and Nehemiah as most scholars today treat them as one work. There’s more information on the shape of the text than readers of this series would desire, but it’s here if you want it. His discussion of theology is good as far as it goes.

In this series it’s the commentary proper that most are after and it’s good. There’s around 180 pages of text for that task and so pastors can get some real help studying the passages. Getting context, comment and meaning on each section is a good design. Like Goldilocks of old the commentary section is pitched just right. For that reason, I can warmly recommend it.

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.

Hoffner continues his outstanding work begun in the volume on 1 Samuel with another mammoth 1000-page volume here. The same outstanding features and thoroughness can be found here too. For that matter, the entire Introduction is repeated here. That is handy because you wouldn’t have to walk to the shelf for the other volume for those introductory matters.

In addition to all I said in my review on the other volume, let me add a word about the depth of exegetical work given here. Of course it provides all any pastor would need on that score, but it will likely satisfy the most in-depth scholarly work at the academy as well. If you read Hebrew, you have it here. If you don’t, you can almost always follow the argument well.

Some might say the theology isn’t to the level of some volumes, but look carefully at the “commentary” section for each passage. Not only is it incredibly full, but there is theology embedded in that section if you are looking for it. You will find then that it’s pretty good too.

I’ve wanted this volume for years, so I applaud its release. Give this one a try. You’ll be glad you did!

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.

I’m so grateful this commentary finally made it to a physical copy. Though it’s been available digitally for a decade, there are those weirdos like me who must hold it in our hands. Perhaps there are several of us because this book does not hold the elevated place it should. It is a magnificent commentary. Cliche or not, it is a game changer.

What will startle you right off the bat is just how massive it is. Unlike some other large works, there is no filler material that I can see. It is all a treasure trove of learning to help you make sense of the books of Samuel.

Perhaps it invites comparison to the brand new sparkling commentary by Oswalt on the books of Kings released the same day. I would describe Oswalt’s work as a book that is fantastic with the forest view while there are a sufficient number of trees. I would call this work outstanding with all of its trees, but still with the sufficient forest view. I simply can’t remember a better single day of releases in the realm of commentaries ever.

The Introduction runs 120 pages but there’s a huge bibliography and detailed outline that make up the last third of it. Still, with 80 pages of text every typical introductory issue is addressed. Highlights include a well-done review of all the characters in the book. That will be a tremendous help to pastors and teachers. He’s a good writer too as I found no tedium in reading the Introduction and he is friendly to conservative views as he addresses every current in the river of scholarship on Samuel. Academic types will be impressed as well. Pastors can skip just a few sections and will still have everything they need.

The commentary proper is also excellent. It is very full. It is in this part that his other talent comes to light. Hoffner has such historical breadth and writes a commentary that probably not a lot of other people could.

I will say again that this is a huge commentary, but I will also say that it is worth the space it will take up on your shelf. I cannot think of another commentary on Samuel that compares to it. When Lexham took the necessary steps to bring this volume to us, they did us all a big favor. 

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.

Having already reviewed the volume on 1 Kings and giving it the highest possible rating, I can say that I’m just as enamored with this continuation in 2 Kings. As you know, the Books of Kings were one work in the Hebrew Scriptures anyway, but the thrilling story of Elijah and Elisha is interrupted by the break in between 1& 2 Kings. So one of the two just won’t do. Still, if for some reason you need 2 Kings only the publisher has reprinted the magnificent Introduction here as well as all the excursuses from the other volume. I can’t remember seeing that done before, but it’s a great idea.

It’s the God’s-eye view that makes the Introduction so stellar. Additionally, the pivotal history of the period of the Kings has never been better described than here. It actually reaches the level of exciting.

Oswalt took his time with this work, so there’s no drop off before we reach the end of 2 Kings. That same masterful, conservative work permeates every page. The EEC now has several top level commentaries and this one is as good as any of them.

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.

Now the Books of Kings have a great commentary. Never has Kings been served as well as most other OT books. Especially that is the case with good conservative commentaries. We’ve had the NAC volume and not much else. Now this volume goes straight from the printing press to pride of place with a bullet.

The Introduction is a masterpiece. I’ve reviewed several commentaries and I’d say it’s barely one out of thirty that so unravels the idea of the book as Oswalt did. The trees are fine here, but the forest is exquisite. There’s no section on structure per se, but the biblical theology is so apropos that you get the best that a discussion of structure could ever provide. I love it not because I agree with it, though I do, but because it’s so masterfully explained. You can feel the excitement and only love Kings better.

The commentary is obviously the work of a master. Can you believe all the time that’s passed since his beloved Isaiah came out? There’s no rust; just excellent exegesis. If you forced me to list a negative feature, maybe a few of the passages are a bit too brief, but it’s not enough to lower it’s high rating.

I love Kings. The Elijah/Elisha section is spectacular. Oswalt doesn’t miss that section’s prominence in the design of Kings either.

For me, this one is a treat. It’s no gamble to say you’ll think the same thing.

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.

Here’s the latest in the popular TOTC series. This 380-page commentary is quite hefty for this series. Joint authors are not as common either, but it did the volume no harm. The Preface tells which author wrote which part, but it was seamless enough to make you forget that there are two writers at work. Some concessions are made to higher critical theories, but no more than some earlier volumes in this series. The authors no matter your level of agreement were excellent writers and could hold your attention well.

The Introduction was thoroughly interesting even if I disagreed with whole paragraphs. The section on “from impurity to holiness” was easily the most captivating. It made more sense than some larger works on the subject. Some of the most far fetched ideas were its explanation of ritual practices as “embodied experiences” or those of the Offerings. Its discussions of the Christian application of the book were unique. I’m not saying they were off, only that they on their on track.

A question you have to discuss in every commentary on this book is how you take the numbers given. In other words, are they literal? Here the authors say no. They do not say they are in error, but only that they are hyperbolic.

The commentary is well done along the lines of this series. As usual, it’s mid-level in depth while providing an economical option that will be enough for most Bible students. For others with larger libraries it’s a fine secondary resource.

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.