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The Hodder Bible Commentary
The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs
About the Hodder Bible Commentary
The Hodder Bible Commentary is a comprehensive 50-volume Bible commentary series. Doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, its goal is to encourage a deepened knowledge and understanding of Scripture.
Accessible and insightful expository commentary explores the timeless message of the Bible and applies it to the challenges of today's world. Written by a range of authors and supported by consultant editors from around the world, it represents a diversity of church and cultural contexts.
With the full text of the NIV Bible interspersed with the commentary for easy reference, this series is ideal for preaching, teaching and personal study.
The Hodder Bible Commentary is a comprehensive 50-volume Bible commentary series. Doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, its goal is to encourage a deepened knowledge and understanding of Scripture.
Accessible and insightful expository commentary explores the timeless message of the Bible and applies it to the challenges of today's world. Written by a range of authors and supported by consultant editors from around the world, it represents a diversity of church and cultural contexts.
With the full text of the NIV Bible interspersed with the commentary for easy reference, this series is ideal for preaching, teaching and personal study.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 15, 2025
In The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs, Kirsten Birkett writes an exposition on this premier book of wisdom.
Wrestling with Wisdom
I most appreciated Birkett’s approach to Proverbs. She writes in a way that causes the reader to truly wrestle with the text. She explains that wisdom literature is meant to be grasped, pondered, absorbed, and reflected upon. While the West wants shortcuts and quick answers, Proverbs does not offer these to us. We are to think about and apply them throughout our lives.
She breaks Proverbs into four sections: (1) Initial training (chapters 1–9), (2) The Proverbs of Solomon (chapters 10–24), (3) Royal wisdom (chapters 25–29), and (4) Agur and Lemuel (chapters 30–31).
While I mostly knew Proverbs as a collection of stand-alone sayings, she helps me see the structure and brings the story and narrative elements of Proverbs to life.
Choose WIsdom
I was most pleased to read about the connection between discipline, wisdom, and the Lord’s love. He disciplines us because He loves us. She writes in a way that helps us see God’s heart and helps to reorder ours—to fear, know, and rely on God.
As with other Hodder commentaries, Birkett applies Proverbs to Western culture—and in many cases, exposes what Western culture gets wrong. We are a people who pursue sex. We are a people who love money. Proverbs points us in the right direction.
Reading this commentary will give you an increased hunger for wisdom, and better equipped to choose it and walk in its way.
I received a media copy of The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
Wrestling with Wisdom
I most appreciated Birkett’s approach to Proverbs. She writes in a way that causes the reader to truly wrestle with the text. She explains that wisdom literature is meant to be grasped, pondered, absorbed, and reflected upon. While the West wants shortcuts and quick answers, Proverbs does not offer these to us. We are to think about and apply them throughout our lives.
She breaks Proverbs into four sections: (1) Initial training (chapters 1–9), (2) The Proverbs of Solomon (chapters 10–24), (3) Royal wisdom (chapters 25–29), and (4) Agur and Lemuel (chapters 30–31).
While I mostly knew Proverbs as a collection of stand-alone sayings, she helps me see the structure and brings the story and narrative elements of Proverbs to life.
Choose WIsdom
I was most pleased to read about the connection between discipline, wisdom, and the Lord’s love. He disciplines us because He loves us. She writes in a way that helps us see God’s heart and helps to reorder ours—to fear, know, and rely on God.
As with other Hodder commentaries, Birkett applies Proverbs to Western culture—and in many cases, exposes what Western culture gets wrong. We are a people who pursue sex. We are a people who love money. Proverbs points us in the right direction.
Reading this commentary will give you an increased hunger for wisdom, and better equipped to choose it and walk in its way.
I received a media copy of The Hodder Bible Commentary: Proverbs and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep
July 17, 2025
Proverbs is a difficult book to get your head around, but when you do, it is worth the effort. This commentary is a must addition to help study the book. The commentary is easy to access, and to understand. It is coherent and easy to read.
And if you are preparing a bible study or sermon, then this is a good starting point. In fact it gives a good amount of information along with things to think through.
Thank you Kirsten for writing this book - I have enjoyed reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
And if you are preparing a bible study or sermon, then this is a good starting point. In fact it gives a good amount of information along with things to think through.
Thank you Kirsten for writing this book - I have enjoyed reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 21, 2025
I wasn't quite as taken with this commentary as some of the other Hodder commentaries I have read in the last year or two. I felt the introductory section was more the author's opinion and not so much the facts about the history, the authors of the proverbs and the culture of the times that I have come to expect from these Hodder commentaries. It also felt a bit more academic theologian style than the others I had read and had a proliferation of references which I found overwhelming.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews