Genesis

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary

by Derek Kidner

Genesis–the Bible's account of human origins and the harbinger of human destiny–is a book teeming with critical problems. Derek Kidner provides a running exegetical commentary and lucidly handles the tough issues that Genesis raises.

Genres: Reference, Christian, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Old Testament, Theology, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1967

About the author

Frank Derek Kidner (1913-2008) was a British Old Testament scholar, best known for writing commentaries.

Reviews

[Nate Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this little commentary - brief, but chalk full of wisdom. You can tell Kidner was a godly man. A great aid for preaching.

[Zachary Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a technical commentary, by any means. Not a commentary I always agree with. But there are few commentators as adept at seeing the broader narrative arc (he is like Robert Alter in this regard), and at making incredible observations in that vein. Moreover, Kidner is among that small group of commentators that every few chapters will produce an insight (and express it with eloquence) that takes your breath away. An exceptional commentary.

[Joshua Schwisow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kidner, as usual, has many brief and perceptive comments that help you understand the text. Sadly, his attempt to accommodate some form of theistic evolution and a local flood mar his exegesis at those points. Published in 1967, it remains a helpful volume despite what are shortcomings in my view.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review comes from the viewpoint of a novice who is beginning to teach Sunday school. From what I understand this entire series is aimed at someone about my level and I'm thankful for it and the often low price that puts it in reach.

This first volume seems to meet the needs of the layman well with solid information and some inspirational ideas that might be helpful when teaching. It uses understandable high school level language rather than the college level vocabulary that many commentaries aspire to.

If you think of this book like the four parts of Genesis plus one for the introduction it is easier to 'grade'. The intro is very helpful whether thinking of the JEDP theory, the relation of Genesis 1 and science or looking forward to The Christ through the concepts of Genesis. The commentary on pre-history continues this trend. Sadly it all comes crashing down with a perfunctory and dull look at Abraham's life, but then rebounds for solid Jacob commentary. The final section on the Joseph story might be the high point of the volume as it recaptures or exceeds the level of the early part of the volume.

I suspect this volume is pitched too low for experienced preachers of seminarians, but for a layperson who wants to go beyond study Bibles it should be just right. Alternating reading a few chapters from the Scripture in a good study translation like ESV and then reading the related commentary and interspersing the above with prayer seems like a pretty good way to study God's Word.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a comprehensive commentary, but it never intends to be.

Packed with wisdom and insight to help the preacher in Genesis.

Kidner's particular strength is to show how the text anticipates future persons and events in scripture and in the progress of God's salvation plan - this alone will be of immense help in preaching Genesis.

Kidner's refutation of the 'documentary hypothesis' and the critical stance to the presence of the supernatural in prophecies was also a great delight.

Sharp and certainly not bloated, this little volume will be a fine addition to the supporting cast in one's sermon preparations.

[Kingsley Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the preface to this book, IVP USA gently puts that whilst IVP Europe focuses only on current scholarship, the US counterpart is willing to re-publish that which has proven so helpful over many decades. In other words, has stood the test of time - as opposed to trend.

I am so pleased - blessed - that they have. If you don't like the older Bible translations, just skim those points, but the rest - the insights - as to what is going on culturally, familiarly and spiritually is fantastic!

Thank you so much, Derek Kidner, and thank you so much IVP USA.

[Philip Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Joseph‘s dying words epitomised the hope in which the Old Testament, and indeed the New (cf. Rev 22:20), would fall into expectant silence: God will surely visit you.“

Good thoughts on Genesis from old mate Kidner. He did well to write such a concise yet helpful volume on a massive book like this.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am reading through the Bible in a year, Genesis always has a way to make things exciting and fresh. Some of the Bible’s most famous stories are told, but sometimes it is hard to see what they mean. Thankfully, Derek Kidner’s commentary on Genesis has been made available by InterVarsity Press Academic.

About the Author

Interestingly, Derek Kidner studied piano at the Royal College of Music in England before preparing for ministry at Cambridge University. He found himself as the curate of St. Nicholas, Sevenoaks, south of London, the Vicar of Felsted in Essex, and the senior tutor at Oak HIlll Theological College. His final position was warden of Tyndale House in Cambridge.

His students found him to be a proficient professor and pastor, and you can see the workings of this in his commentary. While there are many theological nooks and crannies to visit in Genesis, Kidner has no problem getting to the heart of the issues and what the Bible has to see despite any surrounding controversies or opinions.

A Classic Commentary

After a solid introduction that introduces the pattern and place of Genesis, the date and authorship of the book, human beginnings, and the theology of Genesis, Kidner dives deep into his commentary. The days of creation are given substantial remarks and additional notes are found on sin and suffering, the Cainites, the long-lived antediluvians, the flood, and the sin of Sodom.

Some commentaries can read like devotionals but I do not believe this is the case for Kidner. His commentaries are best when read in conjunction with the Bible passage so you can see how he points to the text. He offers cross-references, bibliographic footnotes, and Hebrew word studies. I found his insights to be approachable for a layperson like myself.

Back to the Beginning

This is a beautifully designed book with captivating thoughts about the beginnings of our world. What I appreciate most about Kidner is his ability to not only stay in Genesis but to see throughout the scope of the Bible and how God will restore balance. Kidner is able to point me to Jesus in his Genesis commentary. In the beginning was the Word.

I was provided a complimentary copy of Genesis in exchange for an honest review.

[Samuel Kordik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and thoughtful commentary on Genesis. The author interprets and clarifies the text with an eye to explaining cultural customs, language, and the text’s connection to God’s story. Plentiful references to other points in Scripture that illuminate or further the text of Genesis. I also appreciated the engagement, throughout, with higher criticism/textual criticism that views the patriarchal stories as archetypical and not literal and seek to find various different textual streams integrated by an unknown editor, assigning a much later date to the book. Kidner views these efforts with considerable skepticism; throughout his analysis, he summarizes the key arguments and perspectives of the textual critics but then illustrates how their approach adds complexity and has irreconcilable conflicts with the source text.
Overall, this commentary is an invaluable analysis of Genesis that covers nearly all the bases.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Old IVP/Tyndale series was a staple for generations and my starting point in my college days. It could be patchy and was unashamedly evangelical, but some did a good job of tying together this with critical insights regarding the Biblical text. This is one of the better examples, which, whilst addressing a huge book in a relatively few pages, does so in a helpful, informative and not too dogmatically restrictive fashion. It is still largely in the camp that treats the whole text in an historical framework rather than looking at it primarily as a mythical text, but it is not slavishly literal and does leave room for orthodox scientific, archaeological and historical perspectives rather than bending those to the literal text as too much spurious "creation science" seeks to do.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of the Tyndale Commentary series written by Derek Kidner. The commentary does a good job of balancing good, incisive commentary with not being too wordy and rarely diving deeply into matters which should be left to technical commentaries. As usual for this commentary series, the introduction is very good, discussing various issues with the book of Genesis. I don't agree with all of Mr. Kidner's views on the origins of Genesis or creation, but he is quite balanced in his handling of the issues, and blessedly non-polemical, in a day in which fighting about whether the earth was actually created in 6 literal days or not seems to be a test of orthodoxy, as if we could ever solve that issue from this distance.

[Ray Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great one-volume commentary on Genesis. Although, in common with many other commentaries the weighting is more towards the Primeval History (Genesis 1-11 takes up 1/3 of the commentary) rather than the Patriarchs ("The Chosen Family") (Genesis 12-50 takes up only 1/2 of the commentary).

The whole thing is readable and insightful. What I did find interesting, for a commentary written in the 1960s, was a sustained critique of the Graf & Wellhausen JEDP documentary theory. I had assumed that it was pretty much accepted as fact at that time - And even Kidner acknowledges at one point that "the prestige of the theory tends to protect it from criticism".

[Joshua Jagelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful, practical, examination of the Genesis account

As a lay-person, Kidner’s style of examination is perfect for me. While punctuated with academia and research, there are enough practical insights and encouragements to make the commentary immediately readable but also remain a valuable reference tool in general studies. I also highly recommend his commentaries of the Proverbs.

[Joe Haack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidner is my hero. His brevity is refreshing and will give you the general sense of the passage in question. That is priceless. Sometimes I want to read his thought process, though, and not just the brilliantly crafted gnomic result.

[John Brackbill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, pithy, and insightful. A must have supplement for other more exhaustive commentaries while working through Genesis. Kidner doesn't touch on everything, but what he does touch on you will want to read.

[Charity U · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this commentary for teaching the second half of Genesis. There were times Kidner's succinct commentary just nailed something and said it in a way that I greatly appreciated. A good supplementary commentary for my teaching.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I disagree with some of Kidner's conclusions but very helpful, accessible commentary. Note some of the questions that Kidner addresses will only be significant to an academic audience.

[Braley Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Kidner is a master of the brief commentary. His commentary on Genesis 1 alone is worth the price of the commentary.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More extended footnotes on select verses than a thorough commentary, but at least the notes are quite good. Kidner is far too quick to land the Patriarchs in hot ethical water where the text does nothing of the sort, but on the plus side, he spends a good deal of time poking holes in the various loopy hypotheses that have been inflicted on Genesis, using a faithful imagination and a careful eye for details.

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as I taught through Genesis over the past few months and, as always, Kidner always has something to add to the discussion. I believe he is one of the more underrated Bible scholars. Maybe he is a little over looked because his work is now dated, but I am ashamed that I waited so long to read much of his stuff.

This commentary is not stuffed full like Wenham, Hamilton, and Mathews, but it is an easy read, adds to the discussion, and provides some "preachable" comments as well.

[Logan Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad overall. I have enough theological differences with Kidner (particularly in that he's a theistic evolutionist) that I hesitate to strongly recommend it. But it's also good about being succinct and drawing out the key themes and lessons, including some that hadn't occurred to me before.

[Tim Fritson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and incisive, though certainly not the most exhaustive. Provided a good starting point for my research week-to-week while being very helpful in drilling down to the key themes/ideas in any given account/passage/chapter.

[curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the more academically-focused reader will perhaps wish that this little volume contained more in-fepth technical detail, Kidner is always well worth one's attention. This volume would be excellent for use in a small group study or for personal devotional reading.

[Fr. Thomas Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic, but helpful.

[Paul Vawter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent commentary, as are all of those by Kidner. Too brief is the only real criticism, but this is a must-read.

[Philip Tadros · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice commentary, as far as commentaries go. Kidner's prose is delightful and his insights helpful. For a broader study of Genesis, I'd recommend a work by Jewish scholar Nahum Sarna, titled "Understanding Genesis", or "How to Read Genesis" by Tremper Longman III.

[Clint Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disagree with some of his interpretation. Because the nature of this commentary is just a quick summary of each verse, he doesn't get the opportunity to demonstrate how he reached his summary/conclusion (lost opportunity for him to convince me to change my interpretation). At times I thought he was brilliant and at other times I thought he shrugged off important details or questions.

[Seth Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and helpful commentary on Genesis. Have a few problems with comments made on the first three chapters Genesis, but I think this with be true of every commentary I consult on this book.

[Nick Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Helpful.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derek Kidner is always worth reading. Clear insight into the original Hebrew text and very helpful in his understanding of the message of the book.