Mere Bible
Law
Genesisˇ
Introductionˇ
The Book of Genesis is the foundational book of the Bible, the first of all books. Genesis defines natural and social paradigms of our origin, purpose, and moral accountability to God our maker and judge.
Genesis: Overview
Genesis 1:1 to 11:26 ˇ
Genesis 1:1 to 11:26 weaves a genealogy of eponymous ancestors of early humanity to frame four archetypal stories that depict the place of humans in the world and of human accountability to God our creator and judge. Each of the stories depicts the role of YHWH and humans in the creation of nature and culture, as well as their role in actions that result in the destruction of nature and culture.
| Nature | Culture | |
|---|---|---|
Creation | Genesis 1:1 to 2:3 | Genesis 2:4 to 4:16 |
Destruction | Genesis 6:9 to 9:29 | Genesis 11:1-9 |
Genesis 1:1–2:3
Genesis 2:4–4:26
Genesis 5:1–6:8
Genesis 6:9–9:29
Genesis 10:1-32
Genesis 11:1-9
Genesis 11:10-26
Genesis 11:27 to 50:26ˇ
Resourcesˇ
Jewish Scholarly Perspective
- Brueggemann, Walter. 1982a. Genesis. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta: John Knox Press.
- Carasik, Michael, ed. 2018. Genesis: The Rubin JPS Miqra’ot Gedolot. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. The Commentators' Bible: Genesis (JPS)
- Cassuto, Umberto. 1961. A Commentary on the Book of Genesis. Translated by Israel Abrahams. 2 vols. Jerusalem: Magnes Press.
- Fox, Everett, trans. 1995. The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The Schocken Bible, vol. 1. New York: Schocken Books. The Schocken Bible: Genesis
- Sarna, Nahum M. 1989. Genesis: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation. The JPS Torah Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis
- Sarna, Nahum M. 1966. Understanding Genesis: The Heritage of Biblical Israel. New York: Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
- Speiser, E. A. Genesis: Introduction, Translation, and Notes. Anchor Bible 1. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1964.
Catholic Scholarly Perspective
- Augustine. On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis. Translated by John Hammond Taylor. Vol. 41 and 42 of Ancient Christian Writers. New York: Newman Press, 1982.
- Benedict XVI, Pope (Joseph Ratzinger). In the Beginning...: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall. Translated by Boniface Ramsey. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1995.
- Healy, Mary. Genesis. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2026.
- Mitch, Curtis, and Scott Hahn, eds. The Book of Genesis. Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2010.
- Smith, Mark S. The Priestly Vision of Genesis 1. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2009.
Protestant Scholarly Perspective
- Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1982.
- Calvin, John. Genesis. Translated and edited by John King. Geneva Series of Commentaries. 1578. Reprint, Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1965.
- Currid, John D. Genesis. 2 vols. EP Study Commentary. Darlington, England: Evangelical Press, 2015.
- Goldingay, John. Genesis. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Pentateuch. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020.
- Gunkel, Hermann. Genesis. Translated by Mark E. Biddle. Mercer Library of Biblical Studies. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1997.
- Janzen, J. Gerald. Abraham and All the Families of the Earth: A Commentary on the Book of Genesis 12-50. International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993.
- Mays, James Luther, ed. Genesis. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.
- Von Rad, Gerhard. Genesis: A Commentary. Translated by John H. Marks. Revised ed. Old Testament Library. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1972.
- Westbrook, Raymond, ed. A History of Ancient Near Eastern Law. 2 vols. Handbuch der Orientalistik. Leiden, Netherlands: Brill, 2003.
- Westermann, Claus. Genesis: A Commentary. 3 vols. Translated by John J. Scullion. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984–1986.
Evangelical Scholarly Perspective
- Alexander, T. Desmond. 2026. Genesis. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic.
- Hamilton, Victor P. 1990–1995. The Book of Genesis. 2 vols. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
- Mathews, Kenneth A. 1996–2005. Genesis. 2 vols. New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.
- Sailhamer, John H. 1990. "Genesis." In The Expositor's Bible Commentary, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, 1–284. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Steinmann, Andrew E. 2019. Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
- Waltke, Bruce K., and Cathi J. Fredricks. 2001. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Walton, John H. 2001. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Wenham, Gordon J. 1987–1994. Genesis 1–15 and Genesis 16–50. 2 vols. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas, TX: Word Books.
Exodusˇ
Book of Exodus
Exodus: An Introduction
Leviticusˇ
Book of Leviticus
Leviticus: An Introduction
Numbersˇ
Book of Numbers
Numbers: An Introduction
Deuteronomyˇ
Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy: An Introduction
Referencesˇ
Documentary Hypothetical Perspective
- Baden, Joel S. 2012. The Composition of the Pentateuch: Renewing the Documentary Hypothesis. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
- Clines, David J. A. 1997. The Theme of the Pentateuch. 2nd ed. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic Press.
- Friedman, Richard Elliott. 1997. Who Wrote the Bible?. New York: HarperOne.
- Noth, Martin. 1981. A History of Pentateuchal Traditions. Translated by Bernhard W. Anderson. Atlanta: Scholars Press. (Original work published 1948).
- Van Seters, John. 1975. Abraham in History and Tradition. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
- Wellhausen, Julius. 1885. Prolegomena to the History of Israel. Edinburgh: A. & C. Black. (Original work published 1878).
Jewish Scholarly Perspective
- Alter, Robert. 2004. The Five Books of Moses: A Translation with Commentary. New York: W. W. Norton.
- Breuer, Mordechai. 2003. Pirkei Bereshit. [In Hebrew]. Jerusalem: Horeb.
- Cassuto, Umberto. A Commentary on the Book of Genesis. Translated by Israel Abrahams. 2 vols. Jerusalem: Magnes Press, The Hebrew University, 1961–1964.Note: This includes Volume 1, From Adam to Noah (Genesis 1–11), and Volume 2, From Noah to Abraham (Genesis 6:9–11:32).
- Fox, Everett, trans. 1995. The Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. The Schocken Bible, vol. 1. New York: Schocken Books.
- Heschel, Abraham Joshua. 2006. Heavenly Torah: As Refracted Through the Generations. Edited and translated by Gordon Tucker. New York: Continuum.
- Kugel, James L. 2007. How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now. New York: Free Press.
- Levine, Baruch A. 1989. The JPS Torah Commentary: Leviticus. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.
- Milgrom, Jacob. 1989–2001. Leviticus. 3 vols. Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday.
- Sarna, Nahum M. 1989. The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.———. 1986. Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel. New York: Schocken Books.
- Sacks, Jonathan. 2009–2012. Covenant & Conversation: A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible. 5 vols. Jerusalem and New York: Maggid Books and Orthodox Union.
- Tigay, Jeffrey H. 1996. The JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.
- Zornberg, Avivah Gottlieb. 1995. Genesis: The Beginning of Desire. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.
Catholic Scholarly Perspective
- Bergsma, John S., and Brant Pitre. 2020. A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press.
- Blenkinsopp, Joseph. 1992. The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible. Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York: Doubleday.
- Levenson, Jon D. 1987. Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible. New Voices in Biblical Studies. Minneapolis, MN: Winston Press.
- Moberly, R. W. L. 2009. The Theology of the Book of Genesis. Old Testament Theology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
- Ska, Jean-Louis. 2000. Introduction to Reading the Pentateuch. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.
Evangelical Scholarly Perspective
- Alexander, T. Desmond. 2022. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
- Sailhamer, John H. 1992. The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Walton, John H. 2015. The Lost World of the Torah: Law as Covenant and Wisdom in Ancient Context. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
- Wenham, Gordon J. 1987. Genesis 1–15. Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 1. Waco, TX: Word Books.
- Waltke, Bruce K., with Cathi J. Fredricks. 2001. Genesis: A Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Diagrams & Mapsˇ
Diagrams & Maps
Diagram: Genesis Overviewˇ
Genesis Overview
Opens Enlargement
Image Caption: Diagram: Genesis overview showing the interchange of genealogical and tôledôṯ divisions.
Map: Table of Nations (Genesis 10)ˇ
Table of Nations (Genesis 10)
Opens Enlargement
Image Caption: Map: Table of Nations (Genesis 10). Source: Satellite relief map of Middle East (Wikimedia) [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Satellite_relief_map_of_Middle_East.png].
Map of ˇ
Map
Opens Enlargement
Image Caption: Map: Description of informational image.
Map of ˇ
Map
Opens Enlargement
Image Caption: Map: Description of informational image.
Prophets
Joshuaˇ
Book of Joshua
Joshua: An Introduction
Judgesˇ
Book of Judges
Judges: An Introduction
Samuelˇ
Books of Samuel
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
Kingsˇ
Books of Kings
1 Kings
2 Kings
Isaiahˇ
Book of Isaiah
Isaiah: An Introduction
Jeremiahˇ
Book of Jeremiah
Jeremiah: An Introduction
Ezekielˇ
Book of Ezekiel
Ezekiel: An Introduction
Minor Prophetsˇ
Twelve Minor Prophets
Hoseaˇ
Hosea
Hosea: An Introduction
Joelˇ
Joel
Joel: An Introduction
Amosˇ
Amos
Amos: An Introduction
Obadiahˇ
Obadiah
Obadiah: An Introduction
Jonahˇ
Jonah
Jonah: An Introduction
Micahˇ
Micah
Micah: An Introduction
Nahumˇ
Nahum
Nahum: An Introduction
Habakkukˇ
Habakkuk
Habakkuk: An Introduction
Zephaniahˇ
Zephaniah
Zephaniah: An Introduction
Haggaiˇ
Haggai
Haggai: An Introduction
Zechariahˇ
Zechariah
Zechariah: An Introduction
Malachiˇ
Malachi
Malachi: An Introduction
Referencesˇ
Introductions and Overviews
- Childs, Brevard S. Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979.
- Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Prophets. New York: Harper & Row, 1962.
- Mays, James Luther. Amos: Hosea, Micah. Old Testament Library. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1969.
Commentaries: The Major Prophets
- Blenkinsopp, Joseph. Isaiah 1–39: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 19. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
- Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 1–24. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997.
- Bright, John. Jeremiah: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 21. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1965.
- Goldingay, John E. Daniel. Word Biblical Commentary 30. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1989.
Commentaries: The Minor Prophets
- Andersen, Francis I., and David Noel Freedman. Hosea: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 24. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.
- Stuart, Douglas. Hosea–Jonah. Word Biblical Commentary 31. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987.
Biblical Theology of Prophecy
- Achtemeier, Elizabeth. The Old Testament and the Proclamation of the Gospel. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1973.
- Clements, Ronald E. Prophecy and Covenant. Studies in Biblical Theology. London: SCM Press, 1965.
Writings
Chroniclesˇ
Books of Chronicles
1 Chronicles
Overview
2 Chronicles
Overview
Psalmsˇ
Book of Psalms
Psalms: An Introduction
Jobˇ
Book of Job
Job: An Introduction
Proverbsˇ
Book of Proverbs
Proverbs: An Introduction
Ruthˇ
Book of Ruth
Ruth: An Introduction
Song of Songsˇ
Song of Songs
Song of Songs: An Introduction
Ecclesiastesˇ
Book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes: An Introduction
Lamentationsˇ
Book of Lamentations
Lamentations: An Introduction
Estherˇ
Book of Esther
Esther: An Introduction
Danielˇ
Book of Daniel
Daniel: An Introduction
Ezraˇ
Book of Ezra
Ezra: An Introduction
Nehemiahˇ
Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah: An Introduction
Referencesˇ
General Introductions & Overviews
Resources for understanding the context, composition history, and theological themes of the Writings.
- Dillard, Raymond B., and Tremper Longman III. 2006. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Longman III, Tremper, and Raymond B. Dillard. 2006. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Lucas, Ernest C. 2008. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Psalms & Wisdom Literature. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)
Commentaries and studies on the wisdom books of the Writings.
- Clines, David J. A. 1989–2011. Job. 3 vols. Word Biblical Commentary 17A, 17B, 18. Dallas, TX: Word Books.
- Gordis, Robert. 1965. The Book of God and Man: A Study of Job. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Longman III, Tremper. 1998. The Book of Ecclesiastes. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.Seow, Choon-Leong. 1997. Ecclesiastes. Anchor Yale Bible 18C. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
- Waltke, Bruce K. 2004–2005. The Book of Proverbs. 2 vols. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Psalms & Poetry (Psalms, Song of Songs, Lamentations)
Key works on the lyrical, liturgical, and lament literature of the Hebrew Bible.
- Berlin, Adele. 2002. Lamentations: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
- Goldingay, John. 2006–2008. Psalms. 3 vols. Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
- Kidner, Derek. 1973–1975. Psalms. 2 vols. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Longman III, Tremper. 2001. Song of Songs. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
The Megillot / Festival Scrolls (Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations)
Commentaries on the five scrolls read at Jewish holidays.
- Berlin, Adele. 2001. Esther: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation. JPS Bible Commentary. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.
- Campbell, Edward F., Jr. 1975. Ruth. Anchor Yale Bible 7. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Historical & Apocalyptic Books (Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles)
Commentaries on and histories of the exilic and post-exilic Writings.
- Collins, John J. 1993. Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
- Dillard, Raymond B. 1987. 2 Chronicles. Word Biblical Commentary 15. Waco, TX: Word Books.
- Lennox, John C. 2014. Against the Flow: The Inspiration of Daniel in an Age of Relativism. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Williamson, H. G. M. 1985. Ezra, Nehemiah. Word Biblical Commentary 16. Waco, TX: Word Books.
Apostles
Gospelsˇ
Gospels
Matthewˇ
Gospel of Matthew
Matthew: An Introduction
Markˇ
Gospel of Mark
Mark: An Introduction
Lukeˇ
Gospel of Luke
Luke: An Introduction
Johnˇ
Gospel of John
John: An Introduction
Acts of the Apostlesˇ
Acts of the Apostles
Acts: An Introduction
Epistles of Paulˇ
Epistles of Paul
Romansˇ
Epistle to the Romans
Romans: An Introduction
1 Corinthiansˇ
First Epistle to the Corinthians
1 Corinthians: An Introduction
2 Corinthiansˇ
Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians: An Introduction
Galatiansˇ
Epistle to the Galatians
Galatians: An Introduction
Ephesiansˇ
Epistle to the Ephesians
Ephesians: An Introduction
Philippiansˇ
Epistle to the Philippians
Philippians: An Introduction
Colossiansˇ
Epistle to the Colossians
Colossians: An Introduction
1 Thessaloniansˇ
First Epistle to the Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians: An Introduction
2 Thessaloniansˇ
Second Epistle to the Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians: An Introduction
1 Timothyˇ
First Epistle to Timothy
1 Timothy: An Introduction
2 Timothyˇ
Second Epistle to Timothy
2 Timothy: An Introduction
Titusˇ
Epistle to Titus
Titus: An Introduction
Philemonˇ
Epistle to Philemon
Philemon: An Introduction
Epistle to the Hebrewsˇ
Epistle to the Hebrews
Hebrews: An Introduction
Epistle of Jamesˇ
Epistle of James
James: An Introduction
Epistles of Peterˇ
Epistles of Peter
1 Peter: An Introduction
2 Peter: An Introduction
Epistles of Johnˇ
Epistles of John
1 John: An Introduction
2 John: An Introduction
3 John: An Introduction
Epistle of Judeˇ
Epistle of Jude
Jude: An Introduction
Revelation to Johnˇ
Revelation to John
Revelation: An Introduction
Jerusalem Affirmationˇ
Sign the Jerusalem Affirmation of the Nicene Faith
Jerusalem Affirmation
Referencesˇ
Introductions and Background
Historical, cultural, and literary context of the books of the New Testament.
- Brown, Raymond E. 1997. An Introduction to the New Testament. New York: Doubleday.
- Carson, D. A., and Douglas J. Moo. 2005. An Introduction to the New Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
- Evans, Craig A., and Stanley E. Porter, eds. 2000. Dictionary of New Testament Background. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Johnson, Luke Timothy. 2010. The Writings of the New Testament: An Interpretation. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Canon and Textual Criticism
Works on the transmission of the Greek texts that form of the New Testament canon.
- Metzger, Bruce M. 1987. The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Metzger, Bruce M. 2005. A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament. 2nd ed. Stuttgart: German Bible Society.
Lexical and Reference Tools
Dictionaries and references for understanding Greek terms and New Testament backgrounds.
- Bauer, Walter. 2000. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Edited and revised by Frederick W. Danker. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
- Kittel, Gerhard, and Gerhard Friedrich, eds. 1964–1976. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. 10 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Historical and Social Context
Greco-Roman and Jewish historical backgrounds of the New Testament.
- Barrett, C. K., ed. 1987. The New Testament Background: Selected Documents. Rev. ed. San Francisco: Harper & Row.
- Sanders, E. P. 1977. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A Comparison of Patterns of Religion. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
- Schürer, Emil. 1973–1987. The History of the Jewish People in the Age of Jesus Christ (175 B.C.–A.D. 135). Revised and edited by Geza Vermes, Fergus Millar, and Matthew Black. 3 vols. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.
New Testament Theology
The theological themes, distinctions, and the coherence of the New Testament writings.
- Bultmann, Rudolf. 1951–1955. Theology of the New Testament. Translated by Kendrick Grobel. 2 vols. New York: Scribner.
- Ladd, George Eldon. 1993. A Theology of the New Testament. Revised by Donald A. Hagner. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
- Schreiner, Thomas R. 2008. New Testament Theology: Magnifying God in Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.