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THE NEW AMERICAN COMMENTARY is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features include:* commentary based on THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION;* the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary;* sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages;* interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole;* readable and applicable exposition.
765 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
15 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Daniel I. Block
68 books27 followersDaniel I. Block (DPhil, University of Liverpool) is Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of several books and numerous essays and has written commentaries on Deuteronomy, Judges-Ruth, and Ezekiel. He has also been involved in the production of the New Living Translation of the Bible and lectures and preaches around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 27, 2021
Read Judges portion. 4.5 stars. This was a good commentary. Much more technical than the other two I read but not to the point where someone had to be a Hebrew scholar to understand it. Some bunnies he chased didn’t really interest me and I would have liked there to be an overarching theme that the author could return to for the whole of Judges (like other commentaries have, maybe they force it and Block didn’t want to do that, idk). Still I learned a lot from this commentary and would recommend it.
November 16, 2021
Helpful for both books. The book balances exegesis and technical work with practical and pastoral implications. I've yet to be disappointed by a commentary in this series.
October 8, 2024
Fantastic and accessible commentary on both books, especially on Judges but the Ruth section was also great, highly recommend.
December 31, 2013
I have had the opportunity to utilize a number of different commentary sets while in Bible College and Seminary. One of those commentary sets is the New American Commentary by B&H Publishing Group. Recently, I was afforded the opportunity to use the Judges/Ruth text from this series, a text I was particularly interested in diving into considering I am currently working through the Book of Ruth.
While working through Ruth, I found myself returning over and over again to the salient and timely insight provided by Dr. Daniel Block in this commentary. Many scholarly type commentaries, of which the New American Commentary series firmly resides, can become overly bogged down in technical discussions of Greek or Hebrew while others focus extensively on what this or that scholar has written on a particular nuance of the text. While such discussions are often fruitful and needed, some authors of commentaries seem to lean more towards the discussion of background information, leaving the text relatively untouched. The sign of a good commentary is one what provides a balanced presentation of important background information, noting how those issues relates to the all important biblical text.
Dr. Block does a marvelous job of providing that balanced approach. As I worked through Ruth, I found his discussion to be very engaging as he aptly addressed a number of textual issues that feed into the overall theme of Ruth, many issues of which I was never aware of prior to reading his commentary. For example, Block’s engagement of the themes of progeny and sustenance including how the very names of the characters of the story of Ruth focus on those very themes, were truly enlightening. Time after time I found Block’s elaboration of word meanings and their connection to the text at various important junctures to be extremely insightful. Taking the time to stop and examine how words are used in the context as compared to other instances in the Old Testament or in the Ancient Near East for that matter, is vitally important to doing sound biblical exegesis and Block does a marvelous job of walking the reader through such words and how they provide important background to the text and the overall flow of through in both Judges and Ruth.
Another sign of a well-researched and written commentary is the amount and usefulness of footnotes. This commentary has no shortage of footnotes which is a plus. With that said, some commentaries have a plethora of footnotes; however, those notes are not always helpful beyond providing additional resource material. The footnotes provide by Block in his commentary both note additional resource material and properly cite his own research as well as provide additional elaboration on important points. Providing such material in the footnotes rather than bogging down the actual discussion material helps this commentary not fall prey to the aforementioned issues found in other scholarly works of this type.
The overall format of this commentary for both the discussion of Judges and Ruth is an introductory outline to each book, a discussion of the title and the book’s overall place and function in the canon of Scripture, textual issues of note, date and authorship, the genre and intent of the book, important themes and purpose to include specific elements and matters of theological important addressed in each respective book, the structure of the book, followed by the actual exegesis and analysis of the text itself which is also broken down into the individual elements of the text. A selected bibliography, subject, person, and scripture index are also provided, things which help the reader focus on certain elements of these books they may wish to focus on. A variety of maps are also included which provide helpful insight into this period of the Judges which both of the books discussed in this commentary find themselves.
If you are at all interested in studying the books of Judges and/or Ruth, I highly recommend this commentary. It is scholarly yet accessible, written in such a manner that anyone from the experienced scholar to the average church laymen will find it extremely useful in their study of these books. I personally will return to it as a solid and profitable study resource for anything related to Judges and Ruth, two important yet often overlooked books in Scripture. Dr. Block has done a marvelous job of providing a very useful and engaging commentary, one that should find its way on the shelf of every serious Bible student.
I received this book for free from B&H Publishing Group for this 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.”
While working through Ruth, I found myself returning over and over again to the salient and timely insight provided by Dr. Daniel Block in this commentary. Many scholarly type commentaries, of which the New American Commentary series firmly resides, can become overly bogged down in technical discussions of Greek or Hebrew while others focus extensively on what this or that scholar has written on a particular nuance of the text. While such discussions are often fruitful and needed, some authors of commentaries seem to lean more towards the discussion of background information, leaving the text relatively untouched. The sign of a good commentary is one what provides a balanced presentation of important background information, noting how those issues relates to the all important biblical text.
Dr. Block does a marvelous job of providing that balanced approach. As I worked through Ruth, I found his discussion to be very engaging as he aptly addressed a number of textual issues that feed into the overall theme of Ruth, many issues of which I was never aware of prior to reading his commentary. For example, Block’s engagement of the themes of progeny and sustenance including how the very names of the characters of the story of Ruth focus on those very themes, were truly enlightening. Time after time I found Block’s elaboration of word meanings and their connection to the text at various important junctures to be extremely insightful. Taking the time to stop and examine how words are used in the context as compared to other instances in the Old Testament or in the Ancient Near East for that matter, is vitally important to doing sound biblical exegesis and Block does a marvelous job of walking the reader through such words and how they provide important background to the text and the overall flow of through in both Judges and Ruth.
Another sign of a well-researched and written commentary is the amount and usefulness of footnotes. This commentary has no shortage of footnotes which is a plus. With that said, some commentaries have a plethora of footnotes; however, those notes are not always helpful beyond providing additional resource material. The footnotes provide by Block in his commentary both note additional resource material and properly cite his own research as well as provide additional elaboration on important points. Providing such material in the footnotes rather than bogging down the actual discussion material helps this commentary not fall prey to the aforementioned issues found in other scholarly works of this type.
The overall format of this commentary for both the discussion of Judges and Ruth is an introductory outline to each book, a discussion of the title and the book’s overall place and function in the canon of Scripture, textual issues of note, date and authorship, the genre and intent of the book, important themes and purpose to include specific elements and matters of theological important addressed in each respective book, the structure of the book, followed by the actual exegesis and analysis of the text itself which is also broken down into the individual elements of the text. A selected bibliography, subject, person, and scripture index are also provided, things which help the reader focus on certain elements of these books they may wish to focus on. A variety of maps are also included which provide helpful insight into this period of the Judges which both of the books discussed in this commentary find themselves.
If you are at all interested in studying the books of Judges and/or Ruth, I highly recommend this commentary. It is scholarly yet accessible, written in such a manner that anyone from the experienced scholar to the average church laymen will find it extremely useful in their study of these books. I personally will return to it as a solid and profitable study resource for anything related to Judges and Ruth, two important yet often overlooked books in Scripture. Dr. Block has done a marvelous job of providing a very useful and engaging commentary, one that should find its way on the shelf of every serious Bible student.
I received this book for free from B&H Publishing Group for this 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.”
July 17, 2020
Helpful and well worth it.
May 23, 2023
Block's commentary on Judges and Ruth is a solid entry. My one complaint is that Block tends to speculate and read between the lines quite a bit in the Judges to advance readings that go beyond what is in the text. There are also a number of substantial citation errors of Scripture that were apparently missed by the editor. His treatment of Ruth is better than Judges and redeems volume as a whole.
May 8, 2018
Using this to prepare sermons on Ruth, good, not technical. Hebrew words transliterated except in footnotes similar to NICOT. Unconvincingly argues for Elimelech’s move to Moab & subsequent deaths of Elimelech, Mahlon & Kilion as divine judgment. Cf. Chisholm for contrary position & more cogent exegesis as well as homiletical & theological insight.
December 31, 2020
Block does an excellent job of seeing the depravity throughout the book of Judges. He may even be more cynical about the Israelites than most of his colleagues are. I think that's a good thing. Highly recommended. The depth he goes into Judges and the joy that is contrasted in Ruth is a make for an excellent commentary.
June 23, 2017
Probably the most amazing commentary I have ever read on Ruth, although his new ZECOT volume provides numerous exegetical insights that are not included here. I still hold to the traditional approach to authorship, nevertheless Block's suggestion of a 7th century composition makes perfectly sense.
July 7, 2020
The primary strength of this commentary is its focus upon exegetical details and its interaction with secondary literature.
August 7, 2022
A good commentary if you're interested in the details of the original language and the writing of the book, but if you're looking to gain a clear understanding of Judges there are better options.
December 8, 2022
Block is an excellent scholar, who has been the go-to commentary for 25 years. It's a must read if you are doing a detailed study on Judges. Enlightening!
August 24, 2023
Just read the Ruth bit. Helpful. Block is cited in every modern commentary on Ruth, so he is worth reading straight from the horse's mouth.
April 18, 2024
Only read the portion of the book pertaining to the book of Ruth (about 170 pages). Helpful.
January 2, 2025
It was excellent
March 25, 2025
A very thorough and written book! I learned a ton.
April 14, 2015
You can find my full review here: spoiledmilks dot wordpress dot com/2015/03/25/review-judges-ruth/
After a 52 page introduction looking at the background, the composition, the genre, and the history of interpretation of Judges, Block turns to the main theme of Judges: The Canaanization of the Nation of Israel. Why is Israel so rotten in Judges? Once Joshua was out of the picture, Israel failed to fulfill God's mandate to drive out the Canaanites and to teach their children the memory of Yahweh's acts of salvation. Yet still God's grace in His promises reigns true, and even in the worst of times God is gracious. When He is needed most, He is still there, even if not always seen.
Though written most similarly to a short story, Ruth is taken to be a historical writing. It "evidences a high and entertaining literary style" and "communicates a lofty moral and spiritual ideal" (p 602). It develops the theme of "from emptiness to fullness." The book of Ruth isn't written merely to tell us about history. It opens up a world to us and teaches us about God, the world, the human condition, the people of God, and the individual believer's life of faith. God rewards the godly who walk circumspectly after Him in these evil days.
The Chocolate Milk
Theological and Practical Implications: Block's exegesis of the text is highly practical. Block doesn’t stop at knowing Hebrew, he continues in and looks for the meaning of the text. What did the text say to the original audience and what does it say to us today? Sometimes the TAPI sections are only a paragraph, and sometimes they can stretch up to four pages in length (after Jephthah's war and sacrifice narrative in J 11). Block keeps his eye one feminist interpretations, and shows how here in Judges, this evil patriarchal system which abuses both its power and its women is not to be the norm. It's what happens when man loses sight of God and "everyone does as he saw fit."
Block dabbles in narrative and historic criticism, seeking to understand the story going on along with the history (as much as can be currently known) behind it. Scholastic discussions over grammar abound, but they are not overbearing.
The Spoiled Milk
I was disappointed to see there were no Theological and Practical Implications in Ruth. Now there are 35 pages of introduction, part of which is what the book of Ruth teaches us about God. He works in natural events, seemingly chance events, the daring schemes of humans, and in the legal process. Even still, it was a bit disconcerting going from the Judges commentary with TAPI sections, to the Ruth commentary with a very implied application within the commentary text.
Recommended?
Highly! While not as user-friendly as Davis' Judges commentary (Focus On The Bible), Block is still highly readable. Block always keeps the big picture in mind, and everything revolves around and flows from that big picture. The judges are not superstars. They are real people with real faults, yet we learn that even in the worst of times, when seemingly nobody is following God, He can guide people to bring about His purposes.
[Special thanks to Chris at B&H Publishing for sending me this book for review! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
After a 52 page introduction looking at the background, the composition, the genre, and the history of interpretation of Judges, Block turns to the main theme of Judges: The Canaanization of the Nation of Israel. Why is Israel so rotten in Judges? Once Joshua was out of the picture, Israel failed to fulfill God's mandate to drive out the Canaanites and to teach their children the memory of Yahweh's acts of salvation. Yet still God's grace in His promises reigns true, and even in the worst of times God is gracious. When He is needed most, He is still there, even if not always seen.
Though written most similarly to a short story, Ruth is taken to be a historical writing. It "evidences a high and entertaining literary style" and "communicates a lofty moral and spiritual ideal" (p 602). It develops the theme of "from emptiness to fullness." The book of Ruth isn't written merely to tell us about history. It opens up a world to us and teaches us about God, the world, the human condition, the people of God, and the individual believer's life of faith. God rewards the godly who walk circumspectly after Him in these evil days.
The Chocolate Milk
Theological and Practical Implications: Block's exegesis of the text is highly practical. Block doesn’t stop at knowing Hebrew, he continues in and looks for the meaning of the text. What did the text say to the original audience and what does it say to us today? Sometimes the TAPI sections are only a paragraph, and sometimes they can stretch up to four pages in length (after Jephthah's war and sacrifice narrative in J 11). Block keeps his eye one feminist interpretations, and shows how here in Judges, this evil patriarchal system which abuses both its power and its women is not to be the norm. It's what happens when man loses sight of God and "everyone does as he saw fit."
Block dabbles in narrative and historic criticism, seeking to understand the story going on along with the history (as much as can be currently known) behind it. Scholastic discussions over grammar abound, but they are not overbearing.
The Spoiled Milk
I was disappointed to see there were no Theological and Practical Implications in Ruth. Now there are 35 pages of introduction, part of which is what the book of Ruth teaches us about God. He works in natural events, seemingly chance events, the daring schemes of humans, and in the legal process. Even still, it was a bit disconcerting going from the Judges commentary with TAPI sections, to the Ruth commentary with a very implied application within the commentary text.
Recommended?
Highly! While not as user-friendly as Davis' Judges commentary (Focus On The Bible), Block is still highly readable. Block always keeps the big picture in mind, and everything revolves around and flows from that big picture. The judges are not superstars. They are real people with real faults, yet we learn that even in the worst of times, when seemingly nobody is following God, He can guide people to bring about His purposes.
[Special thanks to Chris at B&H Publishing for sending me this book for review! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
June 16, 2015
I have seen this volume on all kinds of "best commentary" lists and it certainly deserves it. Really impressive. Block's scholarship is stunningly exhaustive and detailed. This is a pretty technical commentary that delves into the text line by line and sometimes word by word. Knowledge of Hebrew would be a plus for using this commentary, but not a necessity since it grounds its analysis in the NIV84 and relegates the most technical discussions about the Hebrew to the footnotes for those who are interested. Block never loses the forest for the trees however, as he always follows up his technical textual/historical/cultural arguments with interpretive sections entitled "Theological and Practical Implications." This is a commentary that is as pastorally valuable as it is technical.
November 27, 2017
Block provides a conservative commentary on the biblical books of Judges and Ruth that is historically and philologically grounded. This is the class of evangelical scholarship, particularly on Judges, and I'd be hard pressed to find a better commentary for anyone to read on the book from this perspective (he understands the book to have been written in the late monarchy, perhaps the exile, and written as anti-monarchical critique). While his Judges commentary is pristine, his Ruth commentary is perfectly pedestrian. He is able to navigate the polarity of "Judges as heroes" and "Judges as villains," he falls for "everyone in Ruth must be a perfect example of Judeo-Christian obedience" which just doesn't fit the narrative in the Bible, itself.
May 13, 2012
Well written and actually an engaging read for a commentary once you get through the introduction and the first few chapters of Judges. Interacts well with feminist concerns and lets the text speak for itself and does not diminish its content and purpose for the sake of protecting some of the main characters. In fact that is the point, the syncretism of Israel. A very fine commentary on an under appreciated book of the Bible.
Currently reading
April 4, 2013I am reading this commentary devotionally right now.
July 12, 2016
I started reading this commentary when I preached through Judges, and I picked it up again when I started preaching through Ruth. Really helpful. Recommended for both books.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews