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With Proverbs, veteran Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III offers an accessible commentary on one of Scripture's most frequently quoted and visited books. With his deft exegetical and expositional skill, the resulting work is full of fresh insight into the meaning of the text.
In addition to the helpful translation and commentary, Proverbs considers theological implications of these wisdom texts, as well as their literary, historical, and grammatical dimensions. Footnotes deal with many of the technical matters, allowing readers of varying interest and training levels to read and profit from the commentary and to engage the biblical text at an appropriate level. This built-in versatility has application for both pastors and teachers.
This is the second volume in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series.
In addition to the helpful translation and commentary, Proverbs considers theological implications of these wisdom texts, as well as their literary, historical, and grammatical dimensions. Footnotes deal with many of the technical matters, allowing readers of varying interest and training levels to read and profit from the commentary and to engage the biblical text at an appropriate level. This built-in versatility has application for both pastors and teachers.
This is the second volume in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series.
610 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2006
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About the author
Tremper Longman III
198 books128 followersTremper Longman III (PhD, Yale University) is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Before coming to Westmont, he taught at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for eighteen years. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament, How to Read Proverbs, and commentaries on Daniel, Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and Song of Songs.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 18, 2020
Excellent.
June 7, 2023
This is an excellent resource. I have a love hate relationship with Proverbs as it is a slog to read straight through because so much/many of the Proverbs say the same thing over and over again. However, by going through it from first to last there is a benefit. You can see the character of God on display and at the same time see the character of man without God and Wisdom. There is also a clear and obvious distinction to the benefits of pursuing knowledge and wisdom that shines brightly.
Longman does a great job providing additional information and even some speculations about what different Proverbs might be signifying. This is an excellent resource and would be a good addition to peoples book shelves.
Longman does a great job providing additional information and even some speculations about what different Proverbs might be signifying. This is an excellent resource and would be a good addition to peoples book shelves.
August 23, 2017
I spend summer with Proverbs. Longman's Proverbs was one of my two-and-a-half guides on this journey.
On the whole, I've found the volume helpful, especially the appendix of topical studies on select themes in Proverbs. Preaching the book in any other way seems only confusing.
However, I wish Longman had offered thicker historical location for individual proverbs, as well as a more critical, reflective introduction to the book as a whole.
On the whole, I've found the volume helpful, especially the appendix of topical studies on select themes in Proverbs. Preaching the book in any other way seems only confusing.
However, I wish Longman had offered thicker historical location for individual proverbs, as well as a more critical, reflective introduction to the book as a whole.
March 14, 2022
Excellent, insight and clearly written commentary on Proverbs. Longman is a sure guide in this book of wisdom. In the main, he takes a conservative, sober stance regarding the text, avoiding unnecessary emendations. Highly recommended.
July 9, 2023
Underwhelming. Long and yet lacking in depth (minimal Hebrew, mostly in footnotes, means it’s somewhat unclear who it’s for) - topical studies are useful but don’t redeem it. Disagree with his approach to the book. I would point to Overland’s new AOTC for a better single volume.
September 1, 2024
This commentary was a wonderful assist in doing a study of Proverbs this summer.
January 4, 2025
One of my very favorite commentaries, very informative and practical.
August 4, 2025
Excellent intro material. Used this resource extensively for sermon and Bible Study material on Proverbs.
March 1, 2016
Tremper Longman III is no stranger to the world of Old Testament wisdom literature. Longman has already authored a number of excellent, top-tier commentaries within this genre, including The Book of Ecclesiastes (1997) and Song of Songs (2001) in the acclaimed New International Commentary on the Old Testament series, as well as the present volume on Proverbs (2006) and the volume on Job (2012) in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms series, for which he also serves as editor.
The commentary begins with a sizable introduction (66 pages) to orient the reader in the right direction. I have always been an enthusiast of introductions in commentaries and Longman seems to always provide excellent start points. Longman tackles the traditional introductory matters with sophistication, including title, canonicity, place in canon, authorship and date, social setting, text, genre, literary style, structure, ancient Near Eastern background, theology of proverbs, and much more. The discussion surrounding the authorship and date of the book is outstanding and informative, and Longman’s keen awareness of the connection between Proverbs and other ancient Near Eastern proverbs will be eye-opening for the unfamiliar reader.
The commentary proper divides Proverbs into five major parts: (1) Extended Discourses on Wisdom (1:1-9:18), (2) Proverbs of Solomon: Collection I (10:1-22:16), (3) Sayings of the Wise (22:17-24:34), (4) Proverbs of Solomon: Collection II (25:1-29:27), and (5) Sayings of Agur and King Lemuel and Poem of the Virtuous Woman (30:1-31:31). Each chapter of the commentary begins with Longman’s translation of the text and includes a number of helpful explanatory notes. As each chapter unfolds, the reader is guided between interpretation and theological implication, thus serving to build the readers understanding and application of the text. Longman concludes the commentary with a 28-page topical study of Proverbs, including several important themes found threaded throughout the book.
Longman displays a unique familiarity with the Book of Proverbs. His interpretive insights and theological suggestions are exceptionally useful for readers of all backgrounds, and his interaction with other commentators is unparalleled. Moreover, Longman provides plenty of contact with other ancient Near Eastern proverbs—exposure that is beneficial to the reader lacking such previous knowledge. Still, I think one of the most exciting features of the commentary is the topical appendix material. It appropriately addresses the lack of a clear overarching structure within the book and allows the readers to study the Proverbs thematically. Each topic within this section begins with a list of passages addressing the subject, followed by a brief discussion that seeks to synthesize the given topic across Proverbs holistically. Of course, lengthier discussions on each passage can be found in the commentary proper, but this is an indispensable addition to the commentary that the pastor and teacher should covet for years to come.
The Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms: Proverbs by Tremper Longman III is easily one of the best single-volume commentaries on Proverbs available. It presents everything needed in a commentary of this size and executes the task with precision. It is readable, informative, and practically useful for readers of all interests and backgrounds. It will benefit both the seasoned and novice reader, and continue to do so for years to come. If you are looking for a commentary that is both engaging and edifying, and one that won’t elude value for such reading, this is a commentary full of riches that you will not want to overlook in the process. It comes highly recommended.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The commentary begins with a sizable introduction (66 pages) to orient the reader in the right direction. I have always been an enthusiast of introductions in commentaries and Longman seems to always provide excellent start points. Longman tackles the traditional introductory matters with sophistication, including title, canonicity, place in canon, authorship and date, social setting, text, genre, literary style, structure, ancient Near Eastern background, theology of proverbs, and much more. The discussion surrounding the authorship and date of the book is outstanding and informative, and Longman’s keen awareness of the connection between Proverbs and other ancient Near Eastern proverbs will be eye-opening for the unfamiliar reader.
The commentary proper divides Proverbs into five major parts: (1) Extended Discourses on Wisdom (1:1-9:18), (2) Proverbs of Solomon: Collection I (10:1-22:16), (3) Sayings of the Wise (22:17-24:34), (4) Proverbs of Solomon: Collection II (25:1-29:27), and (5) Sayings of Agur and King Lemuel and Poem of the Virtuous Woman (30:1-31:31). Each chapter of the commentary begins with Longman’s translation of the text and includes a number of helpful explanatory notes. As each chapter unfolds, the reader is guided between interpretation and theological implication, thus serving to build the readers understanding and application of the text. Longman concludes the commentary with a 28-page topical study of Proverbs, including several important themes found threaded throughout the book.
Longman displays a unique familiarity with the Book of Proverbs. His interpretive insights and theological suggestions are exceptionally useful for readers of all backgrounds, and his interaction with other commentators is unparalleled. Moreover, Longman provides plenty of contact with other ancient Near Eastern proverbs—exposure that is beneficial to the reader lacking such previous knowledge. Still, I think one of the most exciting features of the commentary is the topical appendix material. It appropriately addresses the lack of a clear overarching structure within the book and allows the readers to study the Proverbs thematically. Each topic within this section begins with a list of passages addressing the subject, followed by a brief discussion that seeks to synthesize the given topic across Proverbs holistically. Of course, lengthier discussions on each passage can be found in the commentary proper, but this is an indispensable addition to the commentary that the pastor and teacher should covet for years to come.
The Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms: Proverbs by Tremper Longman III is easily one of the best single-volume commentaries on Proverbs available. It presents everything needed in a commentary of this size and executes the task with precision. It is readable, informative, and practically useful for readers of all interests and backgrounds. It will benefit both the seasoned and novice reader, and continue to do so for years to come. If you are looking for a commentary that is both engaging and edifying, and one that won’t elude value for such reading, this is a commentary full of riches that you will not want to overlook in the process. It comes highly recommended.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 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: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
December 28, 2016
The best commentary of Proverbs that I have used. His survey of various themes in the Proverbs at the end of his commentary is worth the price alone.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews