20th & 21st Century Commentaries on Genesis

The following is a list of 20th & 21st century commentaries on the Book of Genesis. As you will see, this list is divided into three groups: Non-Technical Exposition, Semi-Technical Exegesis & Technical Exegesis.

Under each post is a list of sources of recommendations. Some titles have a link, or reference to a review of the book.

Disclaimer: The inclusion of a title in this list does not indicate a full endorsement of its theological perspective and/or content by the contributors to this blog. Titles included are recommended by various authorities (as noted) and should be read and used with much prayer and Biblical discernment.

COMMENTARIES ON GENESIS

Purchase: [WTS | CBD | Amazon]

Brueggemann, Walter. Genesis. Patrick D. Miller, ed. Interpretation. (Atlanta, GA: John Knox Press, 1982).
Moderately Critical.

Recommended by:

• Calvin Theological Seminary. Recommended Commentaries.
  

  "Excellent for preaching. Brueggemann nicely highlights key textual features that fit nicely into sermons."

• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).
  

  4 stars.

• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).
  

Davis, John J. Paradise to Prison: Studies in Genesis. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976).
Conservative. [American Evangelical]

Recommended by:

• Barber, Cyril J. The Minister's Library. 1971-1985. (1985; Reprint ed. 1987).
• Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Basic Library Booklist. (na; Revised ed. 2005).
• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).
• Stitzinger, James F. "Study Tools for Expository Preaching," in Rediscovering Expository Preaching. (1992; 2002).
• Vincent, Robert & Tim Leaman. Compilation of Commentaries on the Books of the Bible.

Kidner, Derek. Genesis, An Introduction and Commentary. D. J. Wiseman, ed. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1967; Reprint ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001).
Conservative. [Anglican] Day-age creation view.

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Evans, John F. A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works. (na; 5th ed, revised. na).

  "Worthwhile for purchase but not a first priority."

• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Periodical Buyer's Study Guide. (na; 2003).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).
• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).

  "A solid but brief work."

• Stuart, Douglas K. A Guide to Selecting and Using Bible Commentaries. (1990; na).
• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002; na).
• Vincent, Robert & Tim Leaman. Compilation of Commentaries on the Books of the Bible.
  

Mathews, Kenneth. A. Genesis. New American Commentary. (2 vols. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1996, 2005).
Conservative.

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library. (2006).
• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. (na; 10th ed. 2007).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).

  4.5 stars.

Pink, A. W. Gleanings in Genesis. (2 vols. na.: na., na; 2 vols. in 1. Reprint ed. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, na).
Conservative. [Reformed Baptist]

Recommended by:

• Smith, Wilbur M., ed. International Bible Lessons for Christian Living. Uniform Series, 1942. Peloubet's Select Notes. (1941).
• Smith, Wilbur M., ed. International Bible Lessons for Christian Living. Uniform Series, 1963. Peloubet's Select Notes. (1962).

  "Exceedingly rich from a dispensational standpoint."

• Vincent, Robert & Tim Leaman. Compilation of Commentaries on the Books of the Bible.

Ross, Allen P. Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988).
Conservative.

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Basic Library Booklist. (na; Revised ed. 2005).
• Evans, John F. A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works. (na; 5th ed, revised. na).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).
  

  3.5 stars.

• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).
• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).
  

Sailhamer, John H. "Genesis." Frank E. Gaebelein, ed. Expositor's Bible Commentary. Vol. 2. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988; Reprint ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Regency Reference Library, 1995).
Conservative. [American Evangelical]

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library. (2006).
• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).
  

Thomas, W. H. Griffith. Genesis: A Devotional Commentary. (3 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1946).
Conservative. [Anglican]

Recommended by:

• Barber, Cyril J. The Minister's Library. (1974; Reprint ed. 1985).

  "Possibly the most helpful devotional exposition of Genesis available. Pastor's will find the material on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (chaps. 12-50) to be unsurpassed!"

• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).

  Devotional.

• Smith, Wilbur M., ed. International Bible Lessons for Christian Living. Uniform Series, 1942. Peloubet's Select Notes. (1941).
• Smith, Wilbur M., ed. International Bible Lessons for Christian Living. Uniform Series, 1963. Peloubet's Select Notes.(1962).

  "In some ways the richest work that ever came from the pen of this fine scholar. Helpful in hard places, but especially valuable for its deeply devotional spirit."

• Vincent, Robert & Tim Leaman. Compilation of Commentaries on the Books of the Bible.

Walton, John H. Genesis. The NIV Application Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001).
Conservative.

Recommended by:

• Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Basic Library Booklist. (na; Revised ed. 2005).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).

  3.5 stars.

• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).

Semi-Technical Exegesis

Purchase: [WTS | CBD | Amazon]

Waltke, Bruce K. & Cathi J. Fredricks. Genesis: A Commentary. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001).
Conservative. [American Presbyterian]

Reviewed by:

• Andrew S. Kulikovsky at answersingenesis.org [a negative review]
• unsigned PCA Christian Education & Educations [a positive review]

Recommended by:

• Calvin Theological Seminary. Recommended Commentaries.

  "Explores the first book of the Bible as 'theological literature.'"

• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. (na; 10th ed. 2007).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).

  5 stars.

• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).

  "In many cases the commentary statements and wording are superb, but in some many readers will get lost in the literary analysis and wish to cut through to comments verse by verse."

• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).

Technical Exegesis

Purchase: [WTS | CBD | Amazon]

Hamilton, Victor P. The Book of Genesis. Robert L. Hubbard, Jr., Gen. Editor. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. (2 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1990-1995).
Conservative. [American Evangelical]

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Calvin Theological Seminary. Recommended Commentaries.

  "American evangelical. Interaction with historical methodologies."

• Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Basic Library Booklist. (na; Revised ed. 2005).
• Evans, John F. A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works. (na; 5th ed, revised. na).
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. (na; 10th ed. 2007).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).

  *Five-star rated commentary.

• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).

  4.5 stars.

• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).

  "A standout commentary along conservative lines."

• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).

Leupold, H. C. Exposition of Genesis. (2 vols. Columbus, OH: Wartburg Press, 1942; 2 vols. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1963).
Conservative. [American Lutheran] Defends the Mosaic authorship; refutes the documentary hypothesis; hold to a six literal day creation week; argues for a universal flood.

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Barber, Cyril J. The Minister's Library. (1974; Reprint ed. 1985).
• Custer, Stewart. Tools for Preaching and Teaching the Bible. (1979; 2nd ed. 1998).

  "Leupold's work is the most thorough and helpful exposition of Genesis." Attacks the documentary hypothesis. Advocates literal creation days.

• Smith, Wilbur M., ed. International Bible Lessons for Christian Living. Uniform Series, 1963. Peloubet's Select Notes. (1962).

  "After reading commentaries on Genesis for several decades, I would like to say that this volume of Leupold is, in my own opinion, the finest on Genesis that has been issued in our language since Lange in the middle of the 19th century. Let every teacher secure this work."

• Vincent, Robert & Tim Leaman. Compilation of Commentaries on the Books of the Bible.

Sarna, Nahum M. Genesis: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation. Jewish Publication Society Torah Commentary. (Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society, 1989).
Jewish

Recommended by:

• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).
  

  4 stars.

• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).
  

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis. John D. W. Watts, ed. Word Biblical Commentary. Vols. 1 & 2. (2 vols. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987-1994).
Conservative—Critical. [American Evangelical] [1] chs. 1-15; [2] chs. 16-50

Recommended by:

• Akin, Daniel L. Building a Theological Library: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  
• Calvin Theological Seminary. Recommended Commentaries.

  "British evangelical. Interaction with historical methodologies. Excellent exegesis and interpretation. Each section contains both technical textual information and sermon-friendly 'Explanation' sections."

• Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. Basic Library Booklist. (na; Revised ed. 2005).

  "Contains some theological errors."

• Evans, John F. A Guide to Biblical Commentaries and Reference Works. (na; 5th ed, revised. na).
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. (na; 10th ed. 2007).
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Periodical Buyer's Study Guide. (na; 2003).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).

  *Five-star rated commentary.

• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 4th ed. 2007).

  3.5 stars.

• Rosscup, James E. Commentaries for Biblical Expositors. (1966; Revised & enlarged ed. 2004).

  "Usually remarks are very profitable."

• Stuart, Douglas K. A Guide to Selecting and Using Bible Commentaries. (1990).
• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).

Westermann, Claus. Genesis. Trans. John J. Scullion. Continental Commentary. (3 vols. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984-1986; 3 vols. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1992).
Moderately Critical. [German Lutheran]

Recommended by:

• Calvin Theological Seminary. Recommended Commentaries.
  

  "Very historical. Classic. Very detailed exegesis."

• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Comprehensive Guide to Biblical and Theological Resources. (na; 10th ed. 2007).
• Glynn, John. Commentary and Reference Survey: A Periodical Buyer's Study Guide. (na; 2003).
• Longman, Tremper, III. Old Testament Commentary Survey. (1991; 3rd ed. 2003).
• The Buswell Library. Selected Old Testament Commentaries. (7 May, 2002).

20th & 21st Century Commentaries on Genesis