Skip to content ↓

Best Commentaries on Job

This page is current as of December 2023.

For recommendations on other books and an introduction to this series, visit
Best Commentaries on Each Book of the Bible.

The book of Job has seen a large number of new commentaries over the past several years. We are blessed!

Before turning to the expert recommendations, here are some recent commentaries written by trusted scholars that may be of interest. Because these volumes are newly published, the commentators on the commentaries have not yet had opportunity to evaluate them. They would, though, come with my recommendation.

  • Christopher Ash – Job: The Wisdom of the Cross (Preaching the Word). 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. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)
  • Richard Belcher – Job: The Mystery of Suffering and God’s Sovereignty (Focus on the Bible). Both the author (Richard Belcher) and the publishers (Christian Focus) are very trustworthy, so this will certainly be a helpful volume. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

David J.A. Clines – Job 1-20; Job 21-37; Job 38-42 (Word Biblical Commentary). 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.” (Amazon: Volume 1, Volume 2 Volume 3; Westminster Books: Volume 1, Volume 2; Logos: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3).

John Hartley – The Book of Job (New International Commentary on the Old Testament). Hartley’s commentary is quite recent (1990) 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.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

Francis I. Andersen – Job (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries). 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.” (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)

Elmer Smick – Job in The Expositor’s Bible 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. (Amazon)

I look forward to reviews of Tremper Longman’s Job (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms). Longman is known as one of the foremost scholars of the Old Testament, so it should prove a valuable volume. (Amazon, Westminster Books, Logos)


  • What God Wants You To Forget

    What God Wants You To Forget

    We are never far from reminding God of our credentials, of providing him with a curriculum vitae that lays out all we are, all we have been through, and all we have accomplished for his sake. We are never far from making the subtle turn from grace to merit, from what is freely given to…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 27)

    A La Carte: New music / Millennials and GenZ / Scotland’s new hate crime law / Cate Blanchett, Easter is for you / Why the Reformed pray for revival / What truly happened to Jesus on the cross? / and more.

  • New and Notable Books

    New and Notable Christian Books for March 2024

    As you know, I like to do my best to sort through the new Christian books that are released each month to see what stands out as being not only new, but also particularly notable. I received quite a number of new titles in March and narrowed the list down to the ones below. I…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (March 26)

    A La Carte: God delivers from the suffering he ordains / The beautiful partnership of family and church / The end of religious liberty / On whales, menopause, and thanks to God / Ordinary women, extravagant gifts / and more.

  • Marriage: A Dance of Beauty and Chaos

    This sponsored post was provided by Burke Care, and written by Jen Arend, which invites you to schedule care today with a certified biblical counselor. As the music swells, she begins her descent down the aisle. All eyes are on her, especially her groom. She is radiant, majestic, and filled with beauty. Her gaze meets his tear-filled…

  • Does God Care How You Cook Your Goat?

    Does God Care How You Cook Your Goat?

    It is one of those biblical commands that has always perplexed me. If it appeared just one time in Scripture I might be tempted to pass it by. But it appears no less than three times, in Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, and Deuteronomy 14:21. The repetition tells me that God is quite concerned that his…