Best Commentaries on Job

I have heard nothing but praise for Ash’s volume on Job. Because this is part of the PTW series, it is based on sermons and suitable for preachers or general readers alike.

Both the author (Richard Belcher) and the publishers (Christian Focus) are very trustworthy, so this will certainly be a helpful volume.

The Reformed Expository series is sermon-based and as theologically-solid a resource as you’ll find. I’ve read this one and appreciated it a lot. Jonny Gibson calls it “insightful, stimulating, and ‘preachable’” and adds, “Here the Monday-morning minister will find much relief for his stressed mind and troubled soul. Highly recommended!”

The experts all agree that Cline’s contributions to the WBC is the best available on Job. It spans three large volumes, so is not for the faint-of-heart. Derek Thomas says, “This is the most comprehensive commentary available. … Cline deserves to be read thoroughly, though there are times when he is irritatingly defensive on Christological implications in the ‘big texts’ in Job.”

Hartley’s commentary is quite recent and is considered a good complement to Clines’. Tremper Longman calls it “a major contribution to the study of the book” and explains “this is because it examines all the facets of the book, not necessarily because it is terribly original. It is solidly evangelical in its approach and very well researched.”

Anderson’s volume is part of the TOTC and is necessarily limited by the series. As Keith Mathison says, “For those seeking a more introductory level commentary on the book of Job, Francis Anderson’s commentary is the best place to start. Anderson is a renowned scholar, and the commentary reflects his learning without becoming overly technical. Virtually any reader should be able to pick up this volume and work their way through it with little difficulty. A very helpful introductory commentary.”

As is so often the case, there appears to be a dramatic drop-off in quality after the first three recommendations. At this point there is far less consensus among the commentators on the commentaries. Also, most people will find three commentaries sufficient. For those interested, Smick’s commentary appears good and Keith Mathison even gives it his person recommendation as a former student of Smick’s.