Skip to Main Content

Religion and Theology

What is Bible Commentary?

A scientific Bible commentary can be used in the study of (texts from) a certain Bible book. It provides ongoing linguistic and factual information that is useful for work with translation and interpretation. In addition, it contains the author(s) interpretation of individual passages as well as the book as a whole. Depending on the profile of the commentary series, it can also take up more or less of the texts' history of interpretation and reception.

How do I find good Bible commentary?

A good commentary should be based on scholarly findings (in exegesis, linguistics and history, etc.). It should be sufficiently current and up-to-date. In addition, it must be practically oriented, so that the reader can easily find explanatory notes, text explanations and references to literature for each individual passage. The best advice is to choose commentary from one of the major series with a good reputation in the research community. See the list below. But there is no guarantee. Different comments within the same series can have varying focus and quality. Feel free to consult with a supervisor or an experienced exegetical researcher!

Scientific Commentary Series