Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 28, Ezekiel 1-19 (allen), 346pp [Hardcover]

Leslie C. Allen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Word Biblical Commentary | Publication Date: November 16, 1994

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Reprint edition (November 16, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849908302
• ISBN-13: 978-0849908309
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic book, March 13, 2006

By 

Garrett Tyson (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 28, Ezekiel 1-19 (allen), 346pp (Hardcover)

Commentaries on the WBC series tend to be uneven in quality. Those on Isaiah (Watts), Deuteronomy (Christensen), and Micah (and other minor prophets; Smith) are among the worst.

Allen's is among the best. His work is always characterized by a careful approach that is theologically sensitive. His goal is to read the text sympathetically, and not harshly. This may not seem striking to pastors and Sunday school teachers who read the Bible as God's word, but anyone who has spent much time in, say, the New Interpreter's Bible commentary series knows how harshly some scholars criticize the books they work on.

Allen views his work as combining the best of both worlds, specifically those of Zimmerli (Hermeneia) and Greenberg (Anchor Bible). What this basically boils down to is paying attention to how the book was updated over time to reflect new historical and theological settings (like Zimmerli does) while taking into account the final form of the text (like Greenberg does).

In my opinion, the end result is a pleasing, thoughtful work that capably explains the original meaning of the text and its ongoing relevance today. His commentaries on the book are unlikely to be surpassed for many years.

Busy pastors and teachers will not do better than his book. For those who have the time, money, or a nearby library, I would additionally recommend, in order, Zimmerli, Daniel Block (though see my review of his work), and Ronald Hals (Forms of Old Testament literature).

I think the world of Leslie Allen and strongly recommend his other commentaries, especially Micah, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah (NICOT series), Chronicles (Mastering the Old Testament, also in similar form in the New Interpreter's Bible series), and his revised commentary on Psalms 100-150 (WBC series).

It was through his books, along with my Old Testament professor (Gus Konkel) at Providence Seminary in Otterburne, that I came to appreciate the Old Testament and see how it is relevant today.