Genesis: A Commentary (Hardcover)

by Bruce K. Waltke (Author), Cathi J. Fredricks (Author) "The perspective now shifts from God as sole actor to humanity as reactor..." (more)
Key Phrases: narrator blanks, phenomenological narration, theological narration, Theological Reflections, Old Testament, Jesus Christ (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Gold Medallion winning commentary by one of the leading Old Testament evangelical scholars that explores Genesis with the academic integrity you expect from a conservative commentary, but in an approachable style that addresses the text as "theological literature."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310224586
• ISBN-13: 978-0310224587
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #193,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not one of the better Genesis commentaries., February 4, 2007

By	Kevin Marks (Olympia, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am working on my thesis for my masters degree on a passage in Genesis, so I have had opportunity to read portions of about 30 Genesis commentaries so far. As a result, I would put Waltke's commentary in the bottom third of the Genesis commentaries I have read. I read it cover to cover for a seminary course, and I was able to obtain a complete understanding of what he was saying. Since Waltke is a big name, I was very surprised at what I found.
Structure of the book: This is not at all a good cover-to-cover read. He divides the Genesis account into Books, Acts, and Scenes. For instance, Book 8, Act 2, Scene 3 is titled "Jacob Betrothed to Rachel." His outlining convention is fine, but rather than make reference to the biblical stories again in later "scenes" he will refer to Jacob's deception in Act 1 scene 4, which is not at all helpful. He gives the structure of each story, keywords, and makes comments on what the author omitted. There are short references made to many important terms and phrases in the passage being developed, followed by theological reflections and literary analysis. He draws out many interesting comparisons and contrasts throughout the book and has some thought provoking comments on literary structure of the passages.
The preface explains how these are class notes converted into a commentary. It certainly comes across that way. That is one of the biggest negatives of the book.
The thing that most readers will find frustrating is that Waltke's speculations about various texts are so intertwined with his historical/grammatical comments that it is frequently hard to tell what are purely opinions, and what is based on scripture. His theological presuppositions (which I am not entirely in oppostion to) influence greatly his understandings of many texts. The informed reader will find himself asking "Where did he get that from?" Where the novice will have trouble distinguishing the good from the bad.
Here is one of several examples that left me shaking my head (p. 591): "Interetingly the factorization of the life spans of the patriarchs follows a distinct pattern: Abraham 175 = 5x5x7; Isaac 180=6x6x5; Jacob 147=7x7x3." He goes on to quote Sarna who sees this as exhibition of God's grand design. The commentary has several other strange conclusions and interjections such as this that will leave you scratching your head.
The remaining information in the book is marginally helpful. If you are on a budget for your book buying, it would be better to look elsewhere for material that is more helpful.

22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the best, April 9, 2002

By A Customer

Dr. Waltke has presented us with the best commentary on Genesis that I have read in a long time. As a Bible study leader this book is indispensable. He exegetes each section which he has divided up into Acts & Scenes - don't let this confuse you, it his own way of "separating" the contents. He not only give us exegetical notes but includes a theological review of each "Act". I have never read a book so designed to correctly use the Word of God. It not only is a delight to read but is a most helpful book for preparing a Bible study. His insights and high view of God are inspiring.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars generally solid, August 18, 2005

By	Raymond Cannata "Rev. R. Cannata" (New Orleans, LA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Waltke (former Westminster prof) is a real master of the OT. This commentary is generally solid, but uneven. It has the feel of cleaned up lecture notes. In some places it is extremely rich and insightful, in others surprisingly thin and obvious.

Anyone teaching or preaching through Genesis will want this, but will also want to read a few others. Allen Ross is probably the most detailed and helpful. Victor Hamilton in the NICOT series is helpful, but I found theologically problematic at places. Boice is homiletical, careful, Reformed, bt tends to be more moralistic than Christ-centered. Indispensible are the two Iain Duguid volumes on select parts of Genesis. Kidner in TOT series is good.