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Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
Exodus: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching
One of the best commentaries on Exodus ever to appear in English, now in paperback!
321 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 15, 2017
Abbandonato nel 2014 a p. 154, con questa valutazione: due stelle per il commento e zero per la traduzione. Pessima, ma a volte divertente: "si ritiene spesso che l'opera liberatrice di liberazione Dio sia esplicitamente politica" [??]
"Il lettore è lasciato all'immaginazione. L'interpretazione non deve portare il lettore fuori dalle curve".
No, non mi ha portato fuori dalle curve
"Il lettore è lasciato all'immaginazione. L'interpretazione non deve portare il lettore fuori dalle curve".
No, non mi ha portato fuori dalle curve
October 10, 2018
Stunning and awesome commentary on Exodus (probably the best). It has excellent and numerous insights in the theology of Exodus, not only in the introduction but in all the commentary. But be aware of his non-orthodox view on God's immuability (he argues that God can changes) and maybe of his historical viewpoint.
June 15, 2017
Fretheim's Exodus commentary is a good companion for reading Exodus. It reflects the transition from historical critical to narrative criticism that was going on in the 80s and 90s. Probably the strongest overaching insight Fretheim makes is the linking of the creation narratives of Genesis with the Exodus narrative at numerous points.
November 16, 2019
This commentary is designed to help preaching the book of Exodus. It's patchy - at times Fretheim is wonderful, and at other times he seems to be stretching his homiletic points. But a very useful commentary to have for preachers bringing the message of Exodus to their hearers.
August 16, 2017
This book is one of the very best in the Interpretation Bible Commentary series. This series is one from the critical camp that is aimed at preachers and teachers and is best known for its theological help. Terence Fretheim has received several accolades for this work on Exodus.
The Introduction begins with the big picture of what we have in Exodus. He describes Exodus is both a Pre-Christian and a Christian book. He gives great insights on the correlation between Exodus and the New Testament. Further, he comments on how we might honor both in the interpretive process. Next, he tackles the critical perspective of Exodus. While I could never agree with most of his conclusions, he still noted things worthy of tracing like the key transitional sections. There is even less I could agree with him in terms of history – he’s much too skeptical there.
The Introduction turns itself back toward great helpfulness when it offers a discussion on the theological task that we will find in Exodus. His discussion of the leading theological issues is eye-opening even if you couldn’t agree with every conclusion he makes. Still, this section alone makes the Introduction worth reading.
The commentary itself would fall into the mid-length category, but is especially theologically perceptive. For example, I thought he made some brilliant comments about the interaction between Pharaoh’s own hardening of heart and the Lord’s hardening of his heart. Taken as a stimulus for ideas rather than a straightforward guide, the commentary section will be beneficial to you.
If you are a conservative Bible student like me, I would suggest that you will still enjoy this book on many levels although you will find some paragraphs completely subversive. Not only is this commentary well written, but the author pulls out thoughts that others miss. You will be the richer for interacting with it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The Introduction begins with the big picture of what we have in Exodus. He describes Exodus is both a Pre-Christian and a Christian book. He gives great insights on the correlation between Exodus and the New Testament. Further, he comments on how we might honor both in the interpretive process. Next, he tackles the critical perspective of Exodus. While I could never agree with most of his conclusions, he still noted things worthy of tracing like the key transitional sections. There is even less I could agree with him in terms of history – he’s much too skeptical there.
The Introduction turns itself back toward great helpfulness when it offers a discussion on the theological task that we will find in Exodus. His discussion of the leading theological issues is eye-opening even if you couldn’t agree with every conclusion he makes. Still, this section alone makes the Introduction worth reading.
The commentary itself would fall into the mid-length category, but is especially theologically perceptive. For example, I thought he made some brilliant comments about the interaction between Pharaoh’s own hardening of heart and the Lord’s hardening of his heart. Taken as a stimulus for ideas rather than a straightforward guide, the commentary section will be beneficial to you.
If you are a conservative Bible student like me, I would suggest that you will still enjoy this book on many levels although you will find some paragraphs completely subversive. Not only is this commentary well written, but the author pulls out thoughts that others miss. You will be the richer for interacting with it.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
November 26, 2017
I was required to read this for a class and it was awful. I didn't understand the format or the grandiose writing style and it was very, very boring. Not for undergraduate students, but possibly for a really die-hard scholar.
February 20, 2008
Solid interpretation and commentary
January 2, 2015
Another fine commentary from the Interpretation series. Read for bible study on the Book of Exodus.
February 24, 2023
Fretheim's study in Exodus is an exciting and detailed commentary on an Old Testament book that I have generally found strange and tedious. Fretheim works through the ancient story of Moses with insight into passages that hint at God's plan to reveal himself, first to Moses, then to the Egyptian Pharaoh, and finally, in covenant, to the Israelite people on the plain before Mt. Sinai. Fretheim's analysis of Exodus 32-34 is especially enlightening, indeed inspiring, as Moses negotiates with YHWH, mediating for the people of Israel. When YHWH asks if He should start all over with just Moses (as He did with Noah), Moses responds by repeating back YHWH's statements about His reputation and plans for the nation and all mankind. The interaction is remarkable in ways I had never seen before. Can I make the same pleas to YHWH? Isn't that the point of intercessory prayer?
My previous experience with the book of Exodus has tended to be a watered down Vacation-Bible-School version. Fretheim makes it clear that instead this ancient text is a central, critical book for the nation of Israel and thus for both Jews and Christians. The book has deep theological statements about knowing God and interacting with Him and His Law. Fretheim points out numerous places, both in the conflict with Pharaoh and the later events at Mt. Sinai, where the Exodus text points back to Creation, eventually offering, in some sense, a way for the people of Israel to experience the original promises of Eden.
Fretheim, although orthodox and committed to Scripture as divinely inspired, does see parts of Exodus as organized by redactors, in a way that I interpret as a modification of a modification of the Document Hypothesis.
I have spent the last month studying the book of Exodus, watching a BibleProject course by Carmen Imes and reading this commentary (which was recommended by Imes.) I have benefitted greatly from my time in the commentary.
My previous experience with the book of Exodus has tended to be a watered down Vacation-Bible-School version. Fretheim makes it clear that instead this ancient text is a central, critical book for the nation of Israel and thus for both Jews and Christians. The book has deep theological statements about knowing God and interacting with Him and His Law. Fretheim points out numerous places, both in the conflict with Pharaoh and the later events at Mt. Sinai, where the Exodus text points back to Creation, eventually offering, in some sense, a way for the people of Israel to experience the original promises of Eden.
Fretheim, although orthodox and committed to Scripture as divinely inspired, does see parts of Exodus as organized by redactors, in a way that I interpret as a modification of a modification of the Document Hypothesis.
I have spent the last month studying the book of Exodus, watching a BibleProject course by Carmen Imes and reading this commentary (which was recommended by Imes.) I have benefitted greatly from my time in the commentary.
September 26, 2017
Really valuable commentary on Exodus. Used it for a preaching series on the book of Exodus.
Fretheim takes a literary/canonical approach to the book but recognizes the source and higher critical conversation which dominated the last 100 or so years. Really useful for preaching and engaging the text itself, in part because he deals with the final form of the text and doesn't get lost in the redactional weeds.
The sectional commentary is great, but the introduction is especially valuable in getting a handle of theological themes throughout the book and issues of history of interpretation/hermeneutical considerations.
I found his assessment of liberation readings of the text very balanced and helpful.
There are useful excursuses on the plagues, on the law, and on the building of the tabernacle.
Read it alongside Peter Enns commentary in NIV application series. They were a good pairing.
Fretheim takes a literary/canonical approach to the book but recognizes the source and higher critical conversation which dominated the last 100 or so years. Really useful for preaching and engaging the text itself, in part because he deals with the final form of the text and doesn't get lost in the redactional weeds.
The sectional commentary is great, but the introduction is especially valuable in getting a handle of theological themes throughout the book and issues of history of interpretation/hermeneutical considerations.
I found his assessment of liberation readings of the text very balanced and helpful.
There are useful excursuses on the plagues, on the law, and on the building of the tabernacle.
Read it alongside Peter Enns commentary in NIV application series. They were a good pairing.
September 21, 2021
A typical commentary will speak to the following:
-what the book is;
-what the book says;
-what the book means by what it says; and (sometimes)
-why what the book means is important now and for what reasons.
This commentary on Exodus, from the Interpretation series (meant for teaching and preaching), briefly touches on the first items in the list, but spends most of its time in explaining what Exodus means by what it says and why that is important now and for what reasons. In other words, it bridges the gap between biblical studies and theology. In academic circles, this gap is seldom filled, so this series is rather unique. After you have studied the other well-researched commentaries on a book of the Bible, such as Exodus, complete your study with a volume from the Interpretation series as the capstone
-what the book is;
-what the book says;
-what the book means by what it says; and (sometimes)
-why what the book means is important now and for what reasons.
This commentary on Exodus, from the Interpretation series (meant for teaching and preaching), briefly touches on the first items in the list, but spends most of its time in explaining what Exodus means by what it says and why that is important now and for what reasons. In other words, it bridges the gap between biblical studies and theology. In academic circles, this gap is seldom filled, so this series is rather unique. After you have studied the other well-researched commentaries on a book of the Bible, such as Exodus, complete your study with a volume from the Interpretation series as the capstone
December 17, 2024
I try to read outside of my tradition periodically and this was the latest attempt. Fretheim has a lot of open theism or process theology that pops up throughout the book. He also repeatedly downplays the historical nature of the account. I am not sure if he was simply flirting with open theism or if he had open embraced it at this point in his writings.
Yet, there are plenty of moments I found myself agreeing and enjoying his writing. The prose is beautiful and a reminder that commentaries need not be dry. He also makes lots of connections between Exodus and Genesis that are spot on. I certainly wouldn't recommend this commentary for lay people, but it might be worth consulting if you want to consider another perspective.
Yet, there are plenty of moments I found myself agreeing and enjoying his writing. The prose is beautiful and a reminder that commentaries need not be dry. He also makes lots of connections between Exodus and Genesis that are spot on. I certainly wouldn't recommend this commentary for lay people, but it might be worth consulting if you want to consider another perspective.
October 29, 2020
Very theologically stimulating read. At times he writes as though He has a low view of God. However, if one is studying Exodus this is a must.
February 23, 2023
A fairly progressive and highly open theist commentary on Exodus. Open theism is a constant lens of interpretation.
May 1, 2024
Brilliant and thorough but very dense. Not a “pick up and read” analysis of Exodus.
November 22, 2013
The bottom line: An excellent commentary worth reading, and highly recommended for in-depth hermeneutical analysis of the book of Exodus.
I have yet to be disappointed by any of the volumes in the Interpretation series. Let’s face the facts: the average layperson will not be reading this book, and the intended audiences are either those in a secular degree program taking a class on religion, or a student enrolled in a theological education program. The highly studious and biblically curious also apply ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/exodus-int...
I have yet to be disappointed by any of the volumes in the Interpretation series. Let’s face the facts: the average layperson will not be reading this book, and the intended audiences are either those in a secular degree program taking a class on religion, or a student enrolled in a theological education program. The highly studious and biblically curious also apply ... http://www.chesadaphal.com/exodus-int...
April 17, 2017
Excellent commentary, highlighting the importance of creation as a theological theme--Pharaoh as a destructive agent against creation, the Plagues as a direct response, with the provisions in the wilderness as a restoration of creation intent. A great book for theological reflection while preaching/teaching through Exodus.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews