Recommended OT Commentaries
Please note this list was developed in 1985. It has not been updated since then.
As a Pastor, your library is a tremendous tool for expository preaching. Realizing that my funds are limited and wanting the best tools available, I started compiling the recommendations of Seminaries which I believed were sound in theology. I have compiled these in a database consisting of over 600 commentaries. The following list includes commentaries recommended by at least 2 sources. Please understand that some the works are liberal in sections, and have many differing views on eschatology. The information was taken from the following sources, which I would suggest you acquire since many other commentaries are mentioned in the material.
MASTERS = The Masters seminary. James Stitzinger has compiled a list of 750 books for biblical expositors. This is an excellent resource on the web and includes many other books. If the commentary includes a 1 beside it, this is the first commentary they recommend purchasing.
DALLAS = Dallas Theological Seminary. The department of New testament Literature and Exegesis compiled an annotated bibliography for the study of the Old Testament in April of 1988. This can be purchased from the bookstore It lists commentaries with a short description of the commentaries.
CALVARY = Calvary Theological Seminary (Kansas City). The faculty of Calvary prepared a booklet entitled The Expositor’s Toolbox. They recommend commentaries and books for study. This booklet may be purchased from their bookstore. It was copyrighted in 1992. They have also selected the best commentary in each catagory, which I have designated with a 1.
CENTRAL = Central Baptist Theological Seminary (Minnesota) Michael A. Grisanti has edited a list of recommended books for a Pastor’s library. This was compiled in April of 1988. I believe this can also be purchased from Central bookstore for a very nominal cost.
Again, These Seminaries do not endorse every view of these commentators. They simply recognize the value of these works within this field. My approach has been “in a multitude of counselors is safety.” I trust you will find these references valuable in your toolbox. A number beside the name represents the ranking of that commentary at the time..
Genesis
Davis, John J. Paradise to Prison Baker 1976
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
Kidner, Derek Genesis: An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1967
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
Stigers, Harold G. A Commentary on Genesis Zondervan 1976
- Masters College = x
- Calvary = x
Exodus
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Childs, Brevard The Book of Exodus (Critical & Theological Comm) Baker 1986
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central =
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Cole, Alan Exodus InterVarsity 1973
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
-
Davis, John J. Moses & the Gods of Egypt (2nd Edition) Baker 1986
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
-
Bonar, Andrew A Commnentary on the Book of Leviticus Zondervan 1959
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = 1
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = x
- Central = x
-
Woudstra, Marten H. The Book of Joshua (NICOT) Eerdmans 1981
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = x
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = x
- Calvary =
- Central = 1
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = x
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
- Masters College = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Masters College = x
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Masters College = 1
- Calvary = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Dallas = 1
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Calvary = x
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- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
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- Dallas = 1
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- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
- Dallas = 1
- Calvary = x
- Central = 1
- Dallas = x
- Calvary = x
- Central = x
Leviticus
Harrison, R,K, Leviticus: An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1980
Wenham, George J. The Book of Leviticus (NICOT) Eerdmans 1979
Numbers
Budd, Philip J. Numbers (WBC) Word 1984
Harrison, R.K. The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary Moody 1990
Wenham, George J. Numbers: An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1981
Deuteronomy
Cragie, Peter C The Book of Deuteronomy (NICOT) Eerdmans 1976
Driver, S.R. A Critical & Exegetical Commentary T & T Clark 1902
Thompson, J.A. Deuteronomy InterVarsity 1974
Joshua
Boling, Robert G. Joshua (AB) Doubleday & Company 1982
Davis, John J. Conquest & Crisis Baker 1969
Judges
Cundall, Arthur E, & Leon Morris Judges & Ruth InterVarsity 1968
Soggin, J. Albert Judges Westminister 1981
Wood, Leon J. Distressing Days of the Judges Zondervan 1975
Ruth
Barber, Cyril J. Ruth: An Expostional Commentary Moody 1983
Cundall, Arthur E, & Leon Morris Judges & Ruth InterVarsity 1968
Hals, Ronald M The Theology of the Book of Ruth Fortress Press 1969
1 & 2 Samuel
Ackroyd, Peter R. The Second Book of Samuel Cambridge 1977
Klein, Raplh W. Word Biblical Commentary (1 Samuel) Word 1983
McCarter, P.Kyle, Jr. 1 Samuel (WBC) Word 1983
Payne, David F. 1 & 2 Samuel Westminsiter 1982
1 & 2 Kings
Jones, G.H. 1 & 2 Kings (NCBC) Eerdmans 1984
Montgomery, James A. The Book of Kings (ICC) T & T Clark 1951
1 & 2 Chronicles
Williamson, H.G.M. 1 & 2 Chronicles Eerdmans 1982
Ezra & Nehemiah
Campbell, Donald K. Nehemiah: Man in Charge Victor 1979
Fenshham, F. Charles The Books of Ezra & Nehemiah (NICOT) Eerdmans 1982
Kidner, Derek Ezra & Nehemiah, (TOTC) InterVarsity 1979
Esther
Baldwin, Joyce C. Esther: An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1984
Job
Anderson, Francis I. Job (TOTC) InterVarsity 1976
Dhorme, Edouard A Commentary on the Book of Job Nelson 1967
Habel, Norman The Book of Job: A Commentary Westminister Press 1985
Pope, Marvin H. Job: Introduction, Translation, Notes (AB) Doubleday 1965
Psalms
Anderson, A.A. The Book of Psalms (NCBC) (2 vols) Eerdmans 1972
Craigie, Peter C. Psalm 1-50 (Word Biblical Comm) Word 1983
Kidner, Derek Psalms (2 vols) (TOTC) InterVarsity 1973
Kirkpatrick, A.F. The Book of Psalms Baker rp 1906
Perowne, J.J. Stewart The Book of Psalms (2 vols) Zondervan rp 1878
Proverbs
Delitzsch, Franz Biblical Commentary on the Proverbs (2 vols) Eerdmans 1970
Kidner, Derek Proverbs InterVarsity 1964
McKane, William Proverbs (OTL) Westminister 1970
Ecclesiastes
Eaton, Michael Ecclesiastes An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1983
Glenn, Donald R. Ecclesiastes (in BLC) Victor 1985
Kaiser, Walter C. Ecclesiastes: Total Life Moody 1979
Leupold, H.C. Exposition of Ecclesiastes Baker 1952
Song of Solomon
Carr, G. Lloyd The Song of Solomon InterVarsity 1984
Glickman, S. Craig A Song for Lovers InterVarsity 1976
Isaiah
Young, Edward J. The Book of Isaiah (3 vols) Eerdmans 1965-72
Jeremiah
Bright, John Jeremiah: A New translation (AB) Doubleday & Company 1965
Feinberg, Charles L. Jeremiah, A Commentary (EBC vol 6) Zondervan 1982
Lamentations
Harrison, R. K. Jeremiah & Lammentations (TOTC) InterVarsity 1973
Hillers, Delbert Lamenentations : A New Translation (AB) Doubleday & Company 1972
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr. A Biblical Approach to Personal Suffering Moody 1982
Ezekiel
Feinberg, Charles L. The Prophecy of Ezekiel Moody 1969
Taylor, John B. Ezekiel, An Introduction & Commentary (TOTC) InterVarsity 1969
Zimmerli, Walther A Comm on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel (2 vols) Fortress Press 1979-83
Daniel
Baldwin, Joyce G. Daniel: An Introduction & Commentary InterVarsity 1978
Walvoord, John F. Daniel, the Key to Prophetic Revelation Moody 1971
Wood, Leon Commentary on Daniel Zondervan 1972
Minor Prophets
Feinberg, Charles L. The Minor Prophets Moody 1976
Gaebelein, Frank E., ed Expositors Bible Commentary vol 7 Zondervan 1985
Hosea
Kidner, Derek The Message of Hosea (BST) InterVarsity 1982
Wolf, Hans Walter Hosea, Hermeneia Series Fortress Press 1974
Joel
Allen, Leslie C. Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah (NICOT) Eerdmans 1976
Wolf, Hans Walter Joel & Amos, Hermeneia Series Fortress Press 1974
Amos
Mays, James L. Amos: A Commentary (OTL) Westminister 1969
Wolf, Hans Walter Joel & Amos, Hermeneia Series Fortress Press 1974
Obadiah
Allen, Leslie C. Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah (NICOT) Eerdmans 1976
Gaebelin, Frank E. Four Minor Prophets Moody 1970
Watts, John D.W. Obadiah: A Critical & Exegetical Commentary Eerdmans 1967
Jonah
Allen, Leslie C. Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah (NICOT) Eerdmans 1976
Micah
Allen, Leslie C. Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah (NICOT) Eerdmans 1976
Mays, James Luther Micah: A Commentary Westminister 1976
Nahum
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984
Habakkuk
Gowan, Donald E. The Triumph of Faith in Habakkuk John Knox 1976
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984
Zephaniah
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984
Haggai
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984
Zechariah
Baldwin, Joyce G. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi InterVarsity 1972
Feinberg, Charles L. God Remembers Multnomah Press 1965
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984
Unger, Merrill F. Zechariah: Prophet of Messiah’s Glory Zondervan 1963
Malachi
Baldwin, Joyce G. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi InterVarsity 1972
Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. Malachi: God’s Unchanging Love Baker 1984
Smith, Ralph L. Micah – Malachi (WBC) Word 1984