The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18–50

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

by Victor P. Hamilton

In this volume, Hamilton expounds Genesis 18-50 verse by verse and provides linguistic, literary, and theological commentary of its overarching theme; Yahweh's faithfulness to his promised word and his covenant with those who were chosen to receive it. This evangelical, thorough work features a comprehensive introduction, copious footnotes, and references to the New Testament writers' interpretations of Genesis.

Genres: Reference, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian

774 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Zachary Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past year and a half that I have preached through Genesis, Hamilton has been a constant companion, and this is the rare commentary I read cover-to-cove. Hamilton frequently gives too much attention to the documentary hypothesis (which somewhat betrays the age of this commentary), and he occasionally seems to weigh the text with a kind of textual naturalism with which I am in significant disagreement, but by and large this is an excellent commentary. It strikes the rare balance between technical discussion, narrative insight, and expositional awareness.

[Darwin Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

After researching Genesis commentaries online, I picked one for a preparatory overview, Goldingay's Genesis for Everyone, and then selected the top four more academic ones, starting with the least-rated of the four and working up to the top. The least-rated was Waltke's, better rated was Mathews', then Hamilton's, with the highest rating going to Wenham's superb commentary.

I felt that each was valuable in its own way. Waltke's was a great follow-up to Goldingay, being concise, but without omissions (includes the modern theological tie-ins), yet was contained in one volume. Mathews', like Waltke's and Goldingay's, was easy to read. I felt like there was a jump in quality, however, when going to Hamilton's commentary. It's difficult to say which is the better commentary between Hamilton and Wenham. Wenham's, I think is weightier with far more, up-to-date, well-researched information, but harder to "shlog" through (especially given the Word series' format). Overall, the one to have is Wenham's.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for an evangelical commentary on chapters 18-50 of Genesis, then Genesis 18-50, by Victor P. Hamilton published by Eerdmans Publishers is the commentary you are looking for. While this is an older volume it is one of the greatest volumes in the entire series, the New International Commentary On the Old Testament series, a series which is synonymous with superior exegesis and excellent application, this volume continues the long legacy. This volume is one of the most articulate and practical modern commentaries on the first book of the Pentateuch.

This the second volume on the book Genesis covers only chapters 18-50, begins without the typical introductory section, for it is covered in the first volume instead Hamilton jumps strait into the 18th chapter. As with most technical commentaries, and with all works in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament series, Hamilton dives headlong into the theological elements of the specific biblical book, in this case Genesis. Hamilton is brilliant in his exegesis and should be a great aid to any Minister preaching exegetically through the book of Genesis.

With regard to the commentary section of this second volume Hamilton sends just shy of 800 pages. The thoroughness in which Hamilton goes through must be commended. He diligently gives commentary to the textual notes and the Hebrew text itself when nessessary. Sporadically Hamilton also adds comments on biblical Theology and application and devotional implications. This trait is extremely helpful to the pastor as well as scholar.

With regard of recommending, Genesis 18-50, to others I would whole heartily recommend this commentary to students of scripture, with one caveat. By this I mean I recommend this work to Pastors, Bible Teachers, Bible College Students, there is enough scholarly weight to this work to understand a particular issue in the text while giving aid to pastors in preaching the text. There are many commentaries about the first book of the Pentateuch available at this moment but Genesis 18-50, of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series is a giant leap above all other commentaries on this book of the Bible.

These books was provided to me free of charge from Eerdmans in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary is listed as one of the best pastoral commentaries on the book of Genesis according to bestcommentaries.com. It was not bogged down with heavy linguistic and technical jargon which made it easier to follow. The author does reveal some less than conservative leanings at times, but I would certainly recommended his work as a good resource for someone working through Genesis. I found the NT Approbations at the end of each chapter quite helpful and count them as a high point of the book.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid on the technical details. Gets many of the Christological pointers. Occasionally too much material dealing with JDEP adherents.

[Tim Fritson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2 of the NICOT commentary. Most technical. Helpful for navigating language issues, complex cultural matters, and textual variants.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid commentary: a bit plodding, and tilted more toward the academic than application in the text.

[Jesse Hershberger]

I used this every week for a year to prep for Bible study at work. It is probably not the best commentary but it worked fine for me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

In certain parts, I got bogged down by a lot of details, especially when Hamilton discussed the geneology sections. I also gave up on reading the footnotes, even though I read them in the first volume. Overall, this book was engaging and interesting. I enjoyed reading about the different interpretations other commentators have taken about ambiguous passages. This really made me pay attention to the details in Genesis instead of reading over familiar stories quickly, like I often do.

[Nate Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best overall commentary on Genesis.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed sections and then read closely all material related to Jacob and his sons. All 14 of them.