Lamentations (2002): A Commentary (The Old Testament Library) by Adele Berlin

by Adele Berlin

The Old Testament Library provides an authoritative treatment of every major and important aspect of the Old Testament. This commentary on Lamentations offers a fresh translation, discussing questions of historical background and literary architecture before providing a theologically sensitive exposition of the text.

Genres: Old Testament

Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

Reviews

[Lena Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was enjoyable commentary and good translation!

[Jon Pentecost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berlin provides helpful literary analysis of the poetry of Lamentations. Writing from a secular Jewish perspective, she doesn't do much work in interpreting Lamentations in light of the rest of the canon (other than mentioning cross-referencing). So she has no problem stating that Lamentations disagrees with other parts of Scripture--which hinders her ability to understand some of the theological work the prophet was doing in applying truths about God's character to the experiential reality of the destruction of Jerusalem. But the work was very useful in working through the Hebrew, and considering the poetic imagery of the book. Very useful, but needs supplement from more explicitly theological/pastorally aimed commentaries.

Used in preparation to preach Lamentations in 2020.

[Garry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent commentary of an oft-ignored difficult piece of Scripture. Berlin's approach is careful, and far-ranging. Although we do not share certain theological presuppositions, I approach her desire to let the text speak for itself.

[Matthew Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are only going to read one book on Lamentations, read this one. (For what it's worth, Jewish author, not Christian)

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berlin lends her impressive knowledge of Hebrew poetry to garner deft insights into these five unique and devastating poems. This is an excellent commentary...surely one of the best on this haunting book of the Bible.

[Leviticus Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Commentaries are on going reading projcts