Commentary Recommendations

There are a large number of commentaries on Genesis today. Rather than describe all of them, I will describe several to be aware of and to consider for your personal library.

If you're trying to narrow it down to one to three, here's my summary:

for academic detail, consider Mathews (vol 1, vol 2), Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), Cassuto (vol 1, vol 2) (and, for Gen 1-4, Collins)
for exegetical discussion with some discussion of theological and practical matters, consider Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), Longman
for application and help in preaching, consider Longman

Most pastors would be well served if they had Mathews (vol 1, vol 2), Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), and Longman.

Kenneth Mathews' two-volume commentary on Genesis in the NAC series (1996, 2005) provides solid exegesis and explanation of the text. In addition, he also interacts with historical-critical matters in a helpful way. There is not a separate application section but Mathews' discussion has pastoral warmth.

Gordon Wenham's two-volume commentary in the WBC series (1987 for vol 1 and vol 2) is another model of solid exegesis and explanation. His commentary might answer some Hebrew-related questions that Mathews does not. Wenham does discuss documentary sources in his commentary but not in a way that undermines the text by pitting one source against the other. Very readable and clear.

Tremper Longman has contributed the Genesis volume to the Story of God Commentary series (2016). Longman shows good awareness of the ancient Near Eastern context, provides brief but clear explanation of the text, and finishes each chapter with a helpful application section. As with other commentaries in this series, it aims to relate the story of Genesis to the larger biblical story, especially as it relates to the person and work of Jesus.

Though just covering Genesis 1-4, Jack Collins' commentary (2005) is theologically rich, clearly written, and has very good discussion on various literary and theological questions that come up in Genesis 1-4 and that are especially important for issues of larger biblical theology and interpretation.

Also a two-volume set, Umberto Cassuto's Genesis commentary (1961, 1964) provides thoughtful and insightful analysis. A highly respected Jewish commentator, Cassuto writes clearly and with good knowledge of the ancient Near Eastern context.

Jewish commentator Nahum Sarna's commentary on Genesis in theJPS series (1989) does not always provide as comprehensive an explanation of the passage as those above but is very clear and concise and is very well informed by Sarna's extensive knowledge of the ancient Near Eastern context.

So once again, if you're trying to narrow it down to one to three commentaries, here's my summary:

for academic detail, consider Mathews (vol 1, vol 2), Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), Cassuto (vol 1, vol 2) (and, for Gen 1-4, Collins)

for exegetical discussion with some discussion of theological and practical matters, consider Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), Longman
for application and help in preaching, consider Longman

Most pastors would be well served if they had Mathews (vol 1, vol 2), Wenham (vol 1, vol 2), and Longman.

*As an Amazon Associate, I receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases made at Amazon.