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Joshua: A Commentary
Richard D. Nelson addresses the textual problems critical to a full understanding of Joshua and offers historical, literary, and theological insights in this balanced commentary.
The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1997
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About the author
Richard D. Nelson
19 books3 followersProfessor Emeritus of Biblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation at Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of The Historical Books (Abingdon), Deuteronomy: A Commentary (Westminster John Knox), and From Eden to Babel: An Adventure in Bible Study (Chalice).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 23, 2025
I know this is over 30 years old at this point, but hot damn if it doesn't feel like one of those foundations that people have built on (like Noth! Who is referenced a lot), a certain plateau every 30 years that collects all the latest opinions into a single, THOROUGH commentary. Do we have one of these now that we've hit 30 years? (please say yes and then say who)
The last five years have really brought to light the expansionist aims of certain modern nation states who share a name with a people in this book. So much of this rhetoric of divine conquest, of ritual genocide for God (for that is indeed what herem is), survives in the hearts of many today who believe that said modern nation state is allowed to expand into surrounding territories and expel others they deem as unchosen. Reading this book has given me an important tool - the ability to draw direct lines from the Bible to these aforementioned attitudes. Many of most violent aspects of Judaism and Christianity today are rooted in this book and the rest of the DH. Understanding Joshua is critical to understanding the psyche behind the cruelty performed in the region, and this book gives those tools, even today. (I'm sure 30 years has obvs led to new insights)
Nelson provides a commentary that is astoundingly well-read and comprehensive. He understands the minutia of Ancient Hebrew translation and how differences between the Masoretic texts and the Original Greek could arise. There is no hint of conspiracy or bias in his conjecturing. He references different theories, with no tinge of disrespect sometimes shown by academics in disagreement with one another.
Okay I lost my steam thanks for reading!
Bye! I love you!
The last five years have really brought to light the expansionist aims of certain modern nation states who share a name with a people in this book. So much of this rhetoric of divine conquest, of ritual genocide for God (for that is indeed what herem is), survives in the hearts of many today who believe that said modern nation state is allowed to expand into surrounding territories and expel others they deem as unchosen. Reading this book has given me an important tool - the ability to draw direct lines from the Bible to these aforementioned attitudes. Many of most violent aspects of Judaism and Christianity today are rooted in this book and the rest of the DH. Understanding Joshua is critical to understanding the psyche behind the cruelty performed in the region, and this book gives those tools, even today. (I'm sure 30 years has obvs led to new insights)
Nelson provides a commentary that is astoundingly well-read and comprehensive. He understands the minutia of Ancient Hebrew translation and how differences between the Masoretic texts and the Original Greek could arise. There is no hint of conspiracy or bias in his conjecturing. He references different theories, with no tinge of disrespect sometimes shown by academics in disagreement with one another.
Okay I lost my steam thanks for reading!
Bye! I love you!
January 13, 2019
This one was disappointing. It's very dry, very overly focused on pinpointing historical inaccuracies, and while claiming to offer "theological insight" seemed to be hell-bent on completely destroying any theology left over after it dissected the text.
While I appreciated the ways in which the book pointed out the multiple literary styles within the Book of Joshua, I felt like it leaned on this aspect of the analysis too heavily. I get that Joshua is a horrible, genocidal, ultra-nationalist book (no really, try reading it), but I'm not sure picking at its flaws from a historical and literary approach is helpful. That's part of the story, to be sure, but what about grappling with how this book impacts on the faith of those who worship God?
Nelson's style would be okay if it weren't reading like an obscure article to refresh one's tenured status at a research university. I'd still have issues with the contents, but the absolutely dull tone was the nail in the coffin for me. Having read many of these books now in the past year or so, I see no need to be overly clinical. I think you can find better books on Joshua out there than this one.
While I appreciated the ways in which the book pointed out the multiple literary styles within the Book of Joshua, I felt like it leaned on this aspect of the analysis too heavily. I get that Joshua is a horrible, genocidal, ultra-nationalist book (no really, try reading it), but I'm not sure picking at its flaws from a historical and literary approach is helpful. That's part of the story, to be sure, but what about grappling with how this book impacts on the faith of those who worship God?
Nelson's style would be okay if it weren't reading like an obscure article to refresh one's tenured status at a research university. I'd still have issues with the contents, but the absolutely dull tone was the nail in the coffin for me. Having read many of these books now in the past year or so, I see no need to be overly clinical. I think you can find better books on Joshua out there than this one.
January 4, 2017
I've just finished researching my last Bible study on the book of Joshua. This was the most helpful commentary. It came very highly recommended, and was well worth the accolades. Nelson outlines the textual challenges, reviews the history, and names the challenges in the book of Joshua. This book has been a helpful companion to my work these last five months, and honestly, I will miss it!
September 22, 2012
Commentaries are on going reading projcts
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews