Best Commentaries on Genesis

Part of the REC, this one was first prepared and written as a series of sermons so is suitable for any reader. It is sold as a two-volume set. Jonny Gibson observes that “it is rare these days to find a popular-level commentary on Genesis that one can recommend without having to express numerous caveats or reservations. With Rick Phillips’s two-volume work, this is no longer the case!”

Both the author and the publisher have proven themselves trustworthy when it comes to the difficult textual decisions.

Alexander has been writing on Genesis for four decades (many will know his From Paradise to the Promised Land), and this brand-new volume distills all of it. Jason DeRouchie commends the way he “sets forth several biblical-theological trajectories for themes that run across the canon, climax in Christ, and consummate in the new garden-city of God,” while Carol Kaminski notes that “his careful and judicious analysis of the text, chapter by chapter, will be a great benefit to students, pastors, and laypeople.”

The volume that completed the ESVEC set, with Iain Duguid himself writing Genesis. A good option for those who want one trustworthy expositional volume across the early books.

This series is certainly not known for being user-friendly; the volumes are also uneven with some being far superior to others. However, most experts rate Wenham’s work as one of their top recommendations for Genesis. Tremper Longman rates Wenham as “one of the finest evangelical commentators today” and says that his “commentary on Genesis shows a high level of scholarship and his exegetical sensitivity.” His approach to Genesis is conservative and he stresses the unity of the biblical text.

Most commentators on commentaries commend Hamilton for his thoroughness in examining the interpretive difficulties in Genesis and his generally conservative conclusions (though some are frustrated that he ends up ambiguous regarding Mosaic authorship). After a helpful examination of the various ways of understanding the creation story, he advocates a literary interpretation of Genesis 1.

Ross’ text is not a commentary per se but more of an exposition meant to help the preacher. He holds to a six-day creation and to Mosaic authorship. Instead of going verse-by-verse, he proceeds section-by-section in the way he recommends preaching the book. Keith Mathison calls it “an invaluable resource for expositors” and insists “if you are a pastor, you should not be without this book.” I have used this volume several times and have found it a very helpful aid.

Derek Thomas provides a very strong recommendation for this two-volume set which he says features “easy to read yet biblically robust expositions that seek to bridge the gap between technical and popular commentaries.” Currid advocates Mosaic authorship and a literal six-day creation.

This volume was formerly part of the TOTC series. Kidner’s work, like his other volumes in the TOTC series, is far shorter than the other recommendations. This, along with his conversational style, make it eminently readable. The short format necessitates great concision which can be both a help and a disappointment; the preacher will definitely need to supplement with more thorough volumes. Still, this makes an excellent commentary to begin with and an excellent choice for those looking to bypass some of the scholarly works. Nearly every scholar gives it his recommendation.