At the Lancaster Theological Seminary Library, almost all of our items related to biblical studies have a call number starting with BS and can be found in the corresponding section of our collections.
The chart below shows the general call number for criticisms and commentaries on each book of the Bible.
Commentaries are resources that explore the biblical texts in depth. Some commentaries cover the entire Bible in one volume. Others are published as multi-volume series, each volume treating one or more books of the Bible. They often contain an introduction that gives some facts about the biblical book(s) as a whole, then systematically go through each chapter or section in very close detail. A commentary will often include research findings relevant to the text, including archaeological findings, linguistic studies, historical records, etc.
Just as there are many ways to read and interpret the Bible, each commentary offers a different perspective. It is helpful to consult more than one commentary when seeking to read and understand a biblical text more fully.
Just as there are many ways to read and interpret the Bible, each commentary offers a different perspective. It is helpful to consult more than one commentary when seeking to read and understand a biblical text more fully.
When initiating searches in the library’s online catalog or online databases, the following search terms may be helpful:
- Bible Commentaries
- Bible [insert name of biblical book] Commentaries
Here are some commentary series available in our collection:
Here are some one-volume commentaries available in our Reference collection:
- Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries (available in the circulating stacks and on Ministry Matters): good outlines, good historical and literary analysis; mixed reviews on social location
- Anchor Bible (available as a set in Reference BS 192.2 .A1 1964 .G3; additional copies available in the circulating stacks according to biblical book): excellent historical analysis, basic literary analysis, and rarely includes social location
- Belief, a Theological Commentary on the Bible (available in the circulating stacks and on EBSCO eBooks): This series focuses primarily on the contemporary relevance of biblical texts. It doesn’t offer many historical or literary perspectives but instead invites a diverse range of interpreters to reflect theologically on the text.
- Believers Church Bible Commentary (available in the circulating stacks and on EBSCO eBooks and Ministry Matters): A “cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.” Value for historical and cultural background varies. Helpful for reflections on what the text means to those in the “believers church” tradition.
- Berit Olam (available in the circulating stacks): good historical analysis and mostly good literary analysis
- Black's New Testament Commentaries: Relatively slim verse-by-verse expositions of the biblical text, accompanied by fresh translations. Helpful introductory essays. Light on references to secondary literature, but well informed and generally theologically sensitive.
- Blackwell Bible Commentaries: Commentaries that focus on the history of the interpretation of biblical texts. Less about the text in its original setting than how it has been interpreted over time.
- Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Written by theologians rather than biblical scholars, the authors focus on the theological implications of the text.
- The Eerdmans Critical Commentary: Strong on issues of translation, literary, and historical study of the text. Some theological reflection.
- Hermeneia (available in the circulating stacks and Project MUSE): good historical analysis, mixed reviews on literary analysis, and rarely includes social location.
- Historical Commentary on the Old Testament: Explores translation and summarizes exegetical issues. Focuses mostly on the final form of the text.
- International Critical Commentary (available in Reference and circulating stacks): good historical analysis, minimal literary analysis, no social location
- Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (available as a set in Reference BS 491.2 .I52; additional copies in the circulating stacks according to biblical book): mixed reviews on historical and literary analysis
- The Interpreter's Bible (sets available in Reference and circulating stacks and on Ministry Matters): this is an outdated resource, published between 1951 and 1957
- New Cambridge Bible Commentary: Detailed passage by passage engagement with the biblical text, based on the NRSV. Brief by substantial introductions. Aimed at non-specialist users.
- New Century Bible Commentary (available in the circulating stacks): mostly good historical and literary analysis
- New International Commentary on the New Testament: Detailed research commentaries on the Greek text, including rich conversation with diverse scholarly opinions. Historical-critical in nature, but occasionally innovative. Tends to reflect a moderate evangelical perspective. Rich bibliographic sourcing.
- New International Commentary on the Old Testament: Includes translation, textual study, archaeology, history, literary analysis, and theological reflection.
- The New Interpreter's Bible (sets available in Reference and circulating stacks and on Ministry Matters): excellent outlines, good historical and literary analysis, occasionally includes social location
- New Testament Library (available in Reference and circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks): Research commentaries that are accessible to a broad range of readers. Generally historical-critical in nature with some literary sensitivity and given to theological insight from an ecumenical perspective. Significant introductory essays. Provides detailed translation and textual notes. Each author offers their own translation.
- Old Testament Guides (available in the circulating stacks): good historical and literary analysis
- Old Testament Library (available in Reference and circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks): good historical analysis, mostly good literary analysis, rarely includes social location
- Paideia, Commentaries on the New Testament: Aimed specifically at students who are seeking theological insight. Significant introductory essays. Comments are organized by textual unit rather than verse-by-verse of phrase by phrase. More attention to literary and rhetorical concerns than most commentaries. Introductions to biblical books are substantial. Direct interaction with other scholarly sources is minimal. Translations provided by the authors. Broadly ecumenical.
- The Pillar New Testament Commentary (available in the circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks): Research-level commentaries with significant introductions and thick engagement with scholarship. Clearly evangelical in perspective.
- Readings, a New Biblical Commentary (available in the circulating stacks): good outlines, minimal historical analysis, excellent literary analysis, usually includes social location
- Sacra Pagina (available in Reference and circulating stacks): mostly good historical and literary analysis
- Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary (available in the circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks): Provides up-to-date historical information about biblical books, as well as reflections about their literary style. Sidebars and insets provide information about how the text has been used in the history of interpretation.
- Two Horizons New Testament Commentary (available in the circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks)
- Two Horizons Old Testament Commentary (available in the circulating stacks and EBSCO eBooks): Attempts to bring together biblical studies and systematic theology. Engages theological questions posed by the text. Some volumes offer historical background, but the real focus is theological interpretation of scripture.
- Westminster Bible Companion (available in circulating stacks): mixed reviews on historical and literary analysis, rarely includes social location
- Wisdom Commentary: This series, still early in production, provides commentary on biblical materials from feminist and womanist perspectives. Value for historical and literary study varies by volume.
- Word Biblical Commentary (available in circulating stacks): good outlines, historical and literary analysis
Here are some one-volume commentaries available in our Reference collection:
- The Oxford Bible Commentary , REF BS 491.3 .O94 2001 and EBSCO eBooks
- The HarperCollins Bible Commentary , REF BS 491.2 .H37 2000
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary , REF BS 491.2 .N485 1990
- The Collegeville Bible Commentary , REF BS 491.2 .C66 1989 and EBSCO eBooks
- Global Bible Commentary , REF BS 491.3 .G57 2004
- Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible , REF BS 491.3 .E37 2003 and EBSCO eBooks
- The Women's Bible Commentary , REF 491.2 .W66 1992 and EBSCO eBooks
- The Africana Bible , REF BS 1171.3 .A37 2010
- The Queer Bible Commentary, REF BS 491.3 .Q44 2006
Oxford Biblical Studies Online Oxford Biblical Studies Online Our subscription to Oxford Biblical Studies Online (OBSO) allows you to access commentaries from Oxford Bible Commentary, New Oxford Annotated Bible, Oxford Study Bible, Jewish Study Bible, Catholic Study Bible, and Access Bible.
Click here to visit OBSO's commentary guide, organized by biblical book.* (Must be connected to the LTS wireless network or logged in to OBSO remotely.)
EBSCO eBooks - This link will take you to all biblical commentaries in our eBook holdings. Current students and faculty have remote access to our EBSCO eBook collections; all visitors to our library have on campus access.
Click here to visit OBSO's commentary guide, organized by biblical book.* (Must be connected to the LTS wireless network or logged in to OBSO remotely.)
EBSCO eBooks - This link will take you to all biblical commentaries in our eBook holdings. Current students and faculty have remote access to our EBSCO eBook collections; all visitors to our library have on campus access.