Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 2, Genesis 16-50 (wenham) 556pp (Hardcover)

~ Gordon Wenham (Author) "Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maid named Hagar, so Sarai said to Abram, Since the LORD..." (more)
Key Phrases: waw consec, impf hiph, impv hiph, Van Seters, Near East, Die Komposition (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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: 560 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849902010
• ISBN-13: 978-0849902017
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #280,008 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Between Wenham and Hamilton, July 13, 2006

By	Ongkowidjojo (Indonesia) - See all my reviews

No doubt Wenham and Hamilton have written the best conservative's commentary on Genesis. Longman said that "between Wenham and Hamilton, Genesis is well covered."

But to have both means you must buy 4 volumes because both Wenham and Hamilton separated their commentaries on Genesis into two volumes (Wenham: Genesis 1-15 & 16-50; Hamilton: Genesis 1-17 & 18-50).

I have read all of the four volumes and found that for the first part of Genesis, Hamilton tend to be more conservative than Wenham (e.g. compared their interpretations on the "spirit" in Gen. 1:2), but for the second part Wenham has given me more insight (He always can find fresh meanings and applications from the famous Christian stories that I have been reading since I was in the sunday school!).

My suggestion is if you have enough money buy all, but if you don't buy the first book of Hamilton and the second book of Wenham.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good treatment from a literary perspective, June 21, 2007

By	D. Becker "Honest Critic" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is no question that this is one of the best commentaries on Genesis today. This commentary is one of the essential starting places for research on Genesis. His interaction with critical views is thorough, though if you have a problem with all forms of source criticism, you will definitely find yourself disagreeing with him in many places.

However, Wenham is no skeptic. Many times in both volumes he points out places which clearly point to the antiquity of the text. He clearly holds a high view of the historicity of Genesis, as can be seen in his interpretation of the mention of camels in the patriarchal narrative (he sees them as a 2nd millennium luxury, rather than a historical anachronism). There is also extensive comment on the broader literary dimensions of Genesis, such as palistrophic and panelled structures, which highly suggests, at the very least, a high degree of editorial activity, so as to make source/form/traditio-historical analysis virtually irrelevant, and you get the sense that Wenham is on board here. I can't think of a single place where he allows source criticism to derail his exegesis. He clearly is treating the canonical version.

The only place that conservative readers may find troubling is in his treatment on "The Religion of the Patriarchs." If you are familiar with his other work, you know what I'm talking about. Wenham believes that there is good evidence that Yahweh of the Old Testament was earlier worshipped as El, head of the Canaanite Pantheon. One line of argument he uses, for example, is that Baal eventually replaced El, and is presented in the Bible as one of Yahweh's big "contenders." In this respect, he is very similar to F.M. Cross.

When all is said and done, however, Wenham is definitely a 5-star commentary. The good pastor/student understands that he must read critically, not swallowing, hook-line-and-sinker, everything is put in front of him. Nevertheless, both volumes by Wenham are well worth the money you pay for them, and will pay for themselves in edification and knowledge gained.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Review, June 7, 2000

By	Reformed Library "Reformed Library" (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Advanced level of study from an evangelical point-of-view. This is the second of two volumes by Wenham on Genesis. Highly recommended in-depth study.