Genesis

by John E. Goldingay

Highly regarded Old Testament scholar John Goldingay offers a substantive and useful commentary on the book of Genesis that is both critically engaged and sensitive to the theological contributions of the text.This volume, the first in a new series on the Pentateuch, complements the successful Baker Commentary on the Old Wisdom and Psalms series (series volumes have sold over 55,000 copies). Each series volume will cover one book of the Pentateuch, addressing important issues and problems that flow from the text and exploring the contemporary relevance of the Pentateuch. The series editor is Bill T. Arnold, the Paul S. Amos Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Genres: Theology

819 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

John Goldingay is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. An internationally respected Old Testament scholar, Goldingay is the author of many commentaries and books.

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goldingay marches on. He seems to turn out commentaries at the pace other scholars turn out articles. How he does that is a mystery to which I can make no contribution. I’m sure some would say had he slowed down he might have, say, written a more detailed and meaningful Introduction for Genesis here. Those same observers would be hard pressed, though, to deny his penchant to turn a phrase or to make his work stand out. I think if I read just a few pages of his work I could peg him as the writer. I don’t mean idiosyncratic in a heavy way, but unique and lively.

His viewpoint is predictable and grates on me at times (perhaps because he doesn’t bury it in lifeless prose), but in recent years I’ve found it more palatable. The more I think about it, I suppose neither he nor I have changed our outlook much, but he puts more charming concepts at the center of his presentation even if things I vehemently disagree with sometimes underlies his position. Perhaps commentary series like this one (BCOT) line up best with his gifts. Or at least it seems so to me. (On that score, I see real potential in this recently-birthed series).

For the record, I came to this particular volume thinking there’s no way I would like it as much as his work on Hosea-Micah in this same series. And to some degree that’s true but it wasn’t overly a self-fulfilling prophecy on my part. I know what Goldingay believes but I still try to listen to what he says. There was some of what I don’t like; for example, his explanation of genre. To formulate categories centuries after the fact and then read them back as if more informative than what was said, and then to reduce divine Scripture to just another writing, strikes me as disingenuous, at least for believers. To deny the underlying premise that drives such thinking—God could not have done these things so we must find a more polite explanation—is one thing I’ve never understood from scholars who help us in so many other ways. But I digress.

Still, I did enjoy this volume more than I expected. I love how in a few paragraphs he neutered the whole Documentary Hypothesis. Throughout the text, he provided so many brilliant insights or things I had never thought of before. This more than compensated for his brief introduction. I don’t need a commentary to be the best in every area, only brilliant in some ways makes it much worthwhile to me. Sometimes Goldingay gets into real life for those on the pages of the Bible and that I love. Sometimes I scratch my head too, but he makes me think.

With my usual caveats for Goldingay, I warmly recommend this commentary!

I received this book free from the publisher. 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.

[Glenn Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy the journey through Genesis that Goldingay takes us on in this Commentary. Whilst it is a scholarly work, it is not overly so, and is very readable. I appreciated the Author’s translations in that he kept the names as in the text, but used what the reader is more used to in the Commentary. This is not a commentary for Hebrew Scholars, but the Author does make good use of the underlying Hebrew where needed for the approach he has taken.

There are a few references to the old Source Criticism approach to Genesis, but the Author does adopt a more Canonical approach overall. The Author is writing primarily to a Christian audience and the occasional NT and Christological references are welcome.

Whilst I do not always agree with the Author’s conclusions or assumptions, I did appreciate his passion for the material and he gave me much to think about - which has already provide useful for a recent Bible Study.

Highly recommended for Pastors who want a bit more of a scholarly look at Genesis but not too much; and for those serious about Bible Study.

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many commentaries available that explore the Book of Genesis. Some are focused on technical issues, breaking down the different strata using the documentary hypothesis or its varients to discern the context and purpose of the writing. Others acknowledge this work but focus more on the story itself, ferreting out meanings from the text, including the theology of the text. This commentary is reflective of the latter. I found it to be highly illuminating and helpful in my own readings of Genesis. It doesn't address every question and leaves some questions unanswered in ways that we might want him to answer. Nevertheless, this is a massive and thoughtful exploration of Genesis from an evangelical scholar with keen exegetical/historical-critical skills.

[Jess Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Première deception avec Goldingay. Alors en soit ce n'est pas un mauvais commentaire mais au vu de ce qu'est capable de produire Goldingay on peut s'attendre à mieux. Il survol rapidement me texte sans entrer vraiment en profondeur dans les sujets.

Pourtant Goldingay est un auteur qui a toujours quelque chose d'intéressant à dire, notamment par sa connaissance de l'être humain et de ses réactions et par ses prises de positions théologique parfois clivante mais toujours stimulante...mais ici non.

[Marcus Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I disagree with some methodological and hermeneutical aspects of Goldingay (which is why I knocked off two stars), he sets himself apart from other commentaries by having more of a discussion on each verse coupled with a linguistic and Ancient Near Eastern perspective. I enjoy reading Goldingay as a conversation partner because he sharpens me with points we disagree on while also pointing out aspects I never considered and the depth he brings.

[Jon Anderson]

Read for sermon prep on Genesis 1-5 during Epiphany, Lent, and Holy Week 2022. Anything Goldingay writes is top notch and worth consulting and this volume is no different. Main source for exegetical work.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The For everyone series has become one of my favorites! John Goldingay has a voice that makes the Old Testament books relatable and easy to understand. I would highly recommend these books to anyone interested in Biblical history and principles.