Genesis 1-15 (Word Biblical Commentary): 1 (Word Biblical Commentary)

click here for more details, find new or used items	Gordon Wenham Our price £16.49 (£24.99) New from £14.96 Used from £14.96 Pages: 352 (Hardcover) ISBN: 0849902002 Pub: Paternoster Pub date: 1986-12-31 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 119011

Reader Reviews:

A fairly easy-going writing style but still covers almost every theological angle (5/5 people found this helpful)

In his original preface of 1987, Wenham notes that `on many passages [of Genesis] as much has been published since 1970 as in the previous seventy years!' This emphasises how much Old Testament study has progressed. Wenham's commentary still feels fresh and relevant and although he writes as a scholar, he is clearly aware that the rest of us are not! Thus his work is accessible while still covering almost every theological angle.

So we start with a general `Introduction' to Genesis, in which Wenham addresses such issues as overall form, the traditional sources, various forms of critical analysis, dating, Genesis in its Near Eastern context, etc.

The commentary proper begins after this thirty-page general introduction. Wenham typically takes a chapter or two of Genesis at a time - e.g. `In the Beginning (1:1-2:3)' - offers a monster Bibliography (I counted fifty authors in the bibliography for the first chapter alone) before his own translation of each chapter based on the Hebrew (Masoretic Text). After this, the `Notes' section of footnotes to the translation `discusses... textual criticism and points of Hebrew syntax'. (It sounds dreadful but is often surprising and interesting!)

There then follows `Form/Structure/Setting', a section where Wenham has `surveyed and... evaluated the various [theological] positions currently advocated'. This section can be the most demanding but it's well worth the effort. The chapter continues with a `Comment' section which is usually the longest. This follows the more familiar commentary style - verse by verse - so seems slightly easier to digest visually; and each chapter ends with an `Explanation' section were Wenham draws his conclusions and `relates [the biblical text] to wider theological discussion'.

Though this is a title aimed at the academic market, it is certainly not a dry, laborious read. Wenham manages to show some personality through his academic prowess which makes his writing enjoyable, even if the topic is comparatively heavy at times.

The only area of criticism I have - as with many theological books - is that the layout is somewhat tired. If Microsoft Press can present the most tedious topics in the world in an attractive, user-friendly fashion, so should theology publishers (or, as I have said before, phone Lion Publishing)! But Word Publishing have at least made a some effort in this area: different type-faces, indented text (for `Notes') and accurate page headings all help you navigate this title.

In the end I recommend these two volumes without reservation. It is an academic title, but Wenham's style is still reasonably comfortable. A tremendous asset for biblical study and a wonderful achievement for Gordon Wenham.

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