Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) [Hardcover]

Tremper Longman III (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tremper Longman III (Ph.D., Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He has authored or coauthored more than twenty books, including commentaries on Daniel, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 608 pages
• Publisher: Baker Academic (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080102692X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801026928
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies and the chair of the Religious Studies department at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, where he lives with his wife, Alice. He is the Old Testament editor for the revised Expositor's Bible Commentary and has authored many articles and books on the Psalms and other Old Testament books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for teaching or preaching through Proverbs!, September 5, 2009

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scourge39 "scourge39" (Archbald PA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) (Hardcover)

Tremper Longman III already has produced excellent commentaries on Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Daniel. This commentary on Proverbs (for the BCOTWP, for which Longman serves as editor) is no exception! The introductory section on the authorship and compilation of Proverbs is extremely informative and will undoubtedly change many readers' preconceived notions about this book for the better. Longman's theological insights are excellent, especially for Christian readers. He fully interacts with other Proverbs commentators such as Fox, Waltke, Murphy and others (It's a shame that Fox's commentary on Proverbs 10-31 was not available for Longman to interact with when he was writing this commentary). Longman's interaction with other commentators is so exhaustive that this commentary is easily the BEST single-volume option currently available. He skillfully extracts the most informative insights from each of the other works. In addition, he uses insights from other scholars to support many of his interpretations and graciously disagrees with some of their exegesis when warranted. Longman wisely restrains his own interpretations of many passages and reminds readers that the original context in which many Proverbs were first written is uncertain. He stresses the importance of Proverbs as a book whose verses are to be applied wisely after one has pondered the context of a given situation. Only then can a Proverb be employed. This commentary models careful, cautious interpretation and application beautifully! Pastors and teachers will find the topical appendix at the end of the book extremely helpful. As with the other volumes in this series, the linguistic insights are eye-opening and the tone of the writing is extremely pastoral and readable. I greatly appreciated his occasional reminders that although Proverbs was historically addressed to a male Jewish audience, its message is equally applicable to females as well. He carefully demonstrates how to tailor certain passages to both males and females a few times throughout the book. Pastors and rabbis addressing mixed congregations will find this helpful. His discussion of the epilogue in Proverbs 31:10-31 concerning the ways in which wisdom affects all aspects of life for anyone who typologically makes her their 'wife' is outstanding! It will surely allow that beautiful chapter to serve a greater purpose throughout the year instead of relegating it to hackneyed Mother's Day sermons! Excellent illustrations are provided throughout the text that will make preaching and teaching from Proverbs a delight rather than a burden. Crafting substantial lessons and sermons just became MUCH easier given the immense assistance with making legitimate application that Longman provides throughout the book. At times, it seemed like I was being taught how to properly interpret and apply Proverbs by a seasoned expositor, which is a definite plus for any commentary! This volume is a repository of penetrating insight and theological reflection that rescues Proverbs from being an alleged book of supposed timeless 'promises' akin to the cliched slogans that one encounters in fortune cookies. Readers desiring more detail should consult the two-volume Proverbs commentaries from Bruce K. Waltke (NICOT) and Michael V. Fox (Anchor Bible). They offer more exhaustive linguistic discussion from a Christian (Waltke) and a Jewish (Fox) perspective.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than I could have hoped!, December 30, 2010

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Douglas Coleman "Movie Buff" (Harrisburg, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) (Hardcover)

Longman's commentary on Proverbs is simply great. The introduction alone is worth the price. He takes what could be a dry academic work and makes it interesting and readable. His explanations are understandable, his scholarship outstanding, and the topical appendix is wonderfully useful as a teaching resource.

6 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, October 17, 2007

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Pastor John (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) (Hardcover)

Tremper Longman knows Proverbs! His commentary is extensive but usually easy for even a lay person to use. Some of the resources in the back of the book are worth the cost by themselves!