HarperCollins Bible Commentary - Revised Edition [Hardcover]

James L. Mays (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2000

The Bible –– sacred scripture, literary classic, historical document. No matter how it is viewed, it remains the basis of much of Western culture. This fully revised edition of the HarperCollins Bible Commentary is the most up–to–date reference book of its kind for understanding and interpreting the meaning of the Bible. The accessible and highly readable format sets a new standard for excellence.

The Commentary covers all of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the books of the Apocrypha and those of the New Testament, and thus addresses the biblical canons of Judaism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. its innovative format covers the books of the Bible in three ways:

General essays setting the literary, cultural, and historical context for the entire Bible

Articles introducing major sections of the Bible

Commentaries on the individual books themselves by the finest contemporary biblical scholars

The HarperCollins Bible Commentary is unprecedented in its clarity, organization, and insight into the Bible. Helpful cross–references to its companion, the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, mean that readers will have all they need to explore the riches of the Scriptures for years to come.

Every section of the Commentary offers concise and authoritative guidance that will enable the reader to return to the text equipped to understand and appreciate the Bible more fully. Each of the eighty–three contributors to this splendid volume is a leading expert in his or her field and a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. They have produced a volume that belongs in homes, schools, houses of worship, and libraries –– wherever there is a Bible.

General editor James L. Mays is the Cyrus McCormick Professor of Hebrew and the Old Testament Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He has served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature and is a widely respected author and editor.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A single-volume, authoritative, indispensable, illustrated reference for uncovering the meaning of the Bible, including the Old Testament, New Testament, and Apocrypha. Its innovative and highly readable format sets a new standard for excellence. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

James L. Mays, Ph.D. is the Cyrus McCormick Professor of Hebrew and the Old Testament Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. He has served as president of the Society of Biblical Literature and is a widely respected author and editor of books and commentaries.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1232 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; Rev Sub edition (November 21, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060655488
• ISBN-13: 978-0060655488
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great commentary, February 5, 2001

By 

Maxwell Grant (Pelham, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HarperCollins Bible Commentary - Revised Edition (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a Bible commentary that is mainstream, easy to use, well-written, scholarly, and in a single volume, this is the one. People who are "into" commentaries will have their favorites, generally based on their denominations. Fair enough. Others prefer a particular scholarly apparatus over another. Fair enough. But if you are a non-evangelical non-specialist who wants to "kick it up a notch" when you're reading your Bible, this is a great commentary to pick. It contains tons of historical information that places passages in context. It also gives details about the literary structure of each passage. But it also makes connections between passages so that a sense of the Bible's themes also emerges. For example, you will definitely develop a new sense of the power and complexity of Jesus's ministry. On top of that, it doesn't just treat the Old Testament as the pre-quel to Christian story. If you're interested in/devoted to/curious about The Book, this is a great resource.

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best one-volume commentary for general use., January 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Harper's Bible Commentary (Hardcover)

The Harper Bible Commentary is a very readable and scholarly commentary. Very well written and easy to read. Not as thorough as the Jerome Bible Commentary but much easier to use.

It reviews each book of the Bible by passage (not each verse). For more detail look to Jerome or (of course) the New Interpreter's Bible.

I keep it by my chair at home for quick reference.

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Commentaries Available, June 2, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HarperCollins Bible Commentary - Revised Edition (Hardcover)

I have a number of reference books that I use rather frequently for scripture study. Without a doubt, the two volumes I refer to most are THE HARPER-COLLINS BIBLE DICTIONARY and HARPER BIBLE COMMENTARY. I find these two volumes to be the most helpful tools for Bible study and homily preparation. The commentary is set up by biblical book and is divided into three sections: The Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha. Each book of the Bible has its own short commentary, based on chapter and verse of scripture. This volume also has short articles placed throughout the commentary on various subjects in the Bible. Each commentary and/or article is written by a biblical scholar and many of the authors are among the best known names in Biblical studies. Many of the entries also have small bibliographies so that readers can get more detailed information if need be. The Harper-Collins Bible Commentary is an indispensable tool for students of Biblical studies, people involved in preaching and teaching of scripture, and anyone interested in a more in depth look at the Bible.

Of all the commentaries available, the Harper -Collins is probably the most ecumenical. The scholars who contribute to the volume represent not only the best in Biblical scholarship, but a number of different faiths. The information is rather straightforward and does not represent any one faith tradition, but the information presented could easily be used in any denomination.