The Book of Job

By John E. Hartley

"In the Old Testament we read God's word as it was spoken to his people Israel. Today, thousands of years later, we hear in these thirty-nine books his inspired and authoritative message for us."

These twin convictions, shared by all of the contributors to The New International Commentary on the Old Testament, define the goal of this ambitious series of commentaries. For those many modern readers who find the Old Testament to be strange and foreign soil, the NICOT series serves as an authoritative guide bridging the cultural gap between today's world and the world of ancient Israel. Each NICOT volume aims to help us hear God's word as clearly as possible.

Scholars, pastors, and serious Bible students will welcome the fresh light that this commentary series casts on ancient yet familiar biblical texts. The contributors apply their proven scholarly expertise and wide experience as teachers to illumine our understanding of the Old Testament. As gifted writers, they present the results of the best recent research in an interesting manner.

Each commentary opens with an introduction to the biblical book, looking especially at questions concerning its background, authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. A select bibliography also points readers to resources for their own study. The author's own translation from the original Hebrew forms the basis of the commentary proper. Verse-by-verse comments nicely balance in-depth discussions of technical matters -- textual criticism, critical problems, and so on -- with exposition of the biblical writer's theology and its implications for the life of faith today.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802825281
• ISBN13: 9780802825285
• Release Date: May 1988
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
• Length: 605 Pages
• Weight: 2.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Well written, through with practical insights

I felt like this commentary offer a helpful balance between historical perspective, understand of the Ancient Near East Culture as well as the theological and practical implications of Job's experience. The author also did a great job offering a variety of different understandings or perspectives into various passages, not merely his own. I think they great insight in the responses of Job and his friends into the experience of suffering and yet remained very theo-centric. The section on the last for chapters where God responds was insightful and well written. I would recommend this commentary to anyone looking to study the story of Job.