The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament [Hardcover]

Charles Fensham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1983 | Series: New international commentary on the Old Testament

A biblical scholar well known for his expertise in ancient Near Eastern studies, expecially Ugaritic, author Fensham places Ezra and Nehemiah against the ancient Near East environment. In his introduction, Fensham discusses the original unity of the books, as well as the problems of authorship. He then treats the historical and religious background of the books, taking special note of the development of a Jewish society in postexilic times. Text and language are next, followed by a thorough bibliography. The commentary proper, based on Fenshams own fresh translation of the biblical texts, is richly documented and displays cautious good judgement, sensible approach, willingness to consider different options, and keen insight into the religious meaning of these key Hebrew texts.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (March 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802823629
• ISBN-13: 978-0802823625
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,533 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong in historical aspect, July 19, 2006

By 

Ongkowidjojo (Indonesia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah: The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Hardcover)

This book probably not as strong as H.G.M. Williamson (WBC 16) in theological aspect of Ezra and Nehemiah, one can compare how they handle the difficult issue of mixed-marriage to see how Williamson surpass Fensham, but this commentary is very good in giving historical perspective and in showing flow of the books. This is a major value because different with other books in the Bible, knowing historical background is exteremely important for us to understand the book of Ezra and Nehemiah. Compared this commentary with Williamson's and you will get a very good perspective about Ezra and Nehemiah.

NB: Because Fensham gave no historical-chronological chart, You will get much help if you can find such a chart in study bibles or old testament introductions/surveys.

Fensham has met our Lord personally in 1989 and I believe he would be rejoiced to know his work still a blessing for me in 2006.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the top Commentaries on Ezra/Nehemiah, August 28, 2010

By 

BCRAW (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) (Hardcover)

We just started an expository preaching series at our church so I picked this commentary up to delve deeper as I follow along with the series. This commentary along with the Word Biblical Commentary one as well as Derek Kidner's (Tyndale Old Testament) according to various sources seem to make up the top three commentaries on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

This is a great commentary. The NICOT series has a great look and easily accessible layout. The author provides plenty of historical context while at the same time seeking to provide helpful and faithful exegesis. This commentary is more lengthy and technical than Kidner's but less technical and more easily accessed than the WBC commentary. I would recommend this as a very helpful commentary as one seeks to study and meditate further on the book of Nehemiah.

Remember that the more commentaries and opinions you can read (from perspectives that are trying to be biblically faithful) the better. The point is not to believe everything exactly as the commentator says, but to use his expertise and research to ask better and deeper questions of the text of the Bible. Commentaries are helpful but only when they are in submission to the Bible as fallible, yet helpful resources.