Handbook on the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

by Victor P. Hamilton

In this introduction to the first five books of the Old Testament, Victor Hamilton moves chapter by chapter through the Pentateuch, examining the content, structure, and theology. Hamilton surveys each major thematic unit of the Pentateuch and offers useful commentary on overarching themes and connections between Old Testament texts.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Nonfiction, Textbooks, History

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as Bible handbooks go, this is pretty much what you would expect. Hamilton does a good job at presenting the conservative view for the first five books of the Bible. Although he does present what the scholarship of higher criticism would say, his arguments against it are thin and sometimes nonexistent. I would have liked more engagement here. Also, this is supposed to be a second edition with the first written way back in '82. (Actually, this is the '82 edition I am reviewing since nobody has bothered to add the '05 second edition that I read to Goodreads.) Outside of the bibliography, very little seems to be updated. So in most cases, what we are reading is what current scholarship was saying forty years ago and we are completely missing all the discussion and discoveries made in the intervening time. I'm more a fan of commentaries rather than handbooks anyways, so I can't recommend a better one offhand, but I am sure there are those out there.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breath of fresh air to read Victor Hamilton's, Handbook on the Pentateuch. He treats these amazing five books of Scripture with profound insight and incredible scholarship. He had to deal with a lot of higher criticism but he always brought it back around to a conservative, and I say true reading of the scripture. His explanations always made the most sense based on actual context, the Hebrew language, understanding of ancient cultures and theological implications. That the God of the Old Testament is gracious and loving reverberated through all 465 pages. For example when discussing the lengthy section about the law in Deuteronomy (chapters 12-26) He writes:

"The God who speaks a word of law (chs. 12-26) does so only after he had spoken a word of grace (chs. 1-11). The divine standards are not placed in a vacuum but are set against the bountiful resources of a gracious God. Additionally, Israel is to obey these laws not to become holy, but rather because Israel is holy. The observance of the law is a by-product of holiness, not a means of attaining holiness."

So if you wish to buckle down and get a deeper understanding of the Pentateuch you would be hard pressed to find a better book out there.

[Mitchell Traver · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the term, “handbook,” smells of dry, academic jargon to you: don’t be fooled! Hamilton’s work here is fantastic. I’m not sure that I follow every point he argues for, but what I know for certain is that he is *very* well read and *deeply* committed to a high view of Scripture as the Word of God. You’ll get significant engagement with higher source criticism here along with rich exegesis without too much linguistic emphases (you don’t have to know Hebrew/Greek to benefit but it’s helpful if you do). Truly, this is a great introduction to the Pentateuch. As it currently stands, there are no others I’d recommend more highly.

[Stuart Gunner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful chapter by chapter break down of the Pentateuch. Hamilton does a good job summing up the main narrative of a passage/passages. He does well to include varying view points as well. He has some really good stuff on different creation epics as well as textual criticism (not my favorite thing to study but still helpful). There were times that Hamilton would point out something of significance or some sort of oddity but, unfortunately, he would not go into much detail with it.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's really good

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on the Pentateuch I've read. This was a textbook for an Old Testament survey class and I expected it to be boring, but it was so interesting! It isn't super academic and is easy for someone with no understanding of Hebrew to read. The section on Deuteronomy dragged a bit in places, but overall this book was wonderful.

[Sharon Gilpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book due to a Biblical Studies degree class. I found it very effective in pointing out pertinent points in each book. Genesis he starts with the very first words--In the beginning and gives you insight into the Greek words used. He shows relationship of Scripture to each other. He continues with the theological themes (framework) in chapters of each book. At the end of each chapter he gives commentaries and major studies on the Pentateuch. He also relates the Pentateuch to the New Testament Scripture. I would recommend this book to others. He cannot cover all aspects of the Pentateuch but he does address the most difficult issues that a beginning scholar should be aware of. This book would give the student or serious reader of the Bible a substantive commentary to begin their research with. Highly recommended.

[Matthew C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton does a great job at both gleaning the pastoral/theological insights from the broader narrative of the Pentateuch in addition to the interaction with the academic side, where he presents a strong case against the cynical theories behind the composition of the five books of Moses. This isn't in-depth at each controversial passage, but such is necessary to keep this book at a readable page count.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, much more than I even anticipated. Anyone studying any part of the Pentateuch would benefit from Hamilton’s work. He was also very readable and I found myself edified and encouraged in unexpected ways in several chapters in this book.

[Slade Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopelessly conservative, but a decent read nonetheless.

[Ashley Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read resource to learn the various nuances and theological development and varying stances on the main issues of the Pentateuch.

[Jacob Lungaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have resource for an introduction to understanding the Torah

[Melody Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a textbook. I would only use it for the references listed for additional resources. Asks more questions than it answers.

[Isa Gueno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informational snooze fest

[Joseph Mundo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives me the structure I need for Genesis through Deuteronomy without losing the theological backbone. I appreciate that it handles tough passages honestly and doesn’t try to weaken the supernatural elements to please modern readers. It fits how I study — clear, detailed, and committed to the truth of the text.

[Bendick Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two books that are recommended in our class on the pentateuch in the seminary are, victor p. hamilton’s "handbook on the Pentateuch" and john h. sailhamer "the Pentateuch as narrative", and i’ve enjoyed both. Think the both should be read together as they complement each other well. Hamilton’s book is easy to read given the reader-friendly format and fonts (which are important too – many writers dismiss that!) and of course the well-organised contents. Devoting one part for each of the five books in the pentateuch and further dividing each part into five sections, hamilton addresses many issues pertaining to the pentateuch. It also comes with solid bibliographies for each of the sub-sections. One of my assignments in class was to write a short paper on each of the 5 books and i have quoted hamilton quite extensively. Appreciate his insights.

Sailhamer’s book is less academic in the sense that it does not have long footnotes and impressive bibliographies – which means it is not as good a resource book compared to hamilton’s. However, by itself, it is a very good read. It is one of those books that one could read on a couch over a cup of coffee with lots of moments of eurekas! And it is one with lots of depth too. I would recommend one to start with sailhamer and use Hamilton to complement it. If one has mastered these two books, one could be said to be very familiar with the themes and contents of the pentateuch. I wish to do that, and thus am reading sailhamer again for the second time. It is always a pleasurable treat reading sailhamer.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

An excellent chapter guide of the entire Pentateuch, with excellent commentary and bibliographies. A must have for anyone who has questions about the foundation of the Old Testament books of history, poetry, wisdom and prophecy, and of "the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 5:17) that Jesus came to fulfill.

[Danny Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each section provides good insights to each book. By no means does it go into every issue that the Pentateuch addresses, but for an introduction it is helpful in pulling out the main themes and ideas.

[Josue Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un excelente libro para Pentateuco. El autor tiene mucha bibliografía útil que es bueno considerar para el desarrollo de temas o pasajes. Hay algunos detalles sobre divorcio e interpretación de leyes que son buenos considerar con cuidado.

Muy buen libro!

[Jcpsalm5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aka, the Torah.

[Mike Shultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense and scholarly. I'm fascinated by Genesis, but things got a bit slow in Leviticus and Numbers.

[Rosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that I had to read for my theology class. I definitely learned A LOT!

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dry, but extremely useful for sermon preparation.

[Sande Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enlightening. Takes a while to slog through it.

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland]

~ 64% finished. Great commentary on the Pentateuch. Helped further my understanding of the Pentateuch and with writing some papers!

[Alex]

Only read a portion for class.