Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: An Introduction & Commentary

Tyndale Old Testament Commentary

by Joyce G. Baldwin

Three neglected but important prophets receive a fresh and penetrating analysis in this introduction and commentary. For each prophet's work, Joyce Baldwin first considers the general issues of author, text and message, then offers a passage-by-passage commentary. "Considerable attention has been given in the book to background material, and proper consideration is accorded to the views of those from whom the author differs," writes reviewer R. K. Harrison. "In expounding the text, Baldwin produces evidence of balanced scholarship and a high degree of spiritual insight."

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

Paperback

First published May 16, 1972

Reviews

[Ashton Herrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary was very thorough and well-researched. I disagreed on only a couple of minor points throughout the entire book. Overall this was an extremely good theological treatment of the books of Malachi, Zechariah, and Haggai. If you want to understand these books of the Bible better, I would absolutely recommend this book. The section on Zechariah also helped me understand Revelation a bit better, because some of the same symbols are used and it is written in the same Jewish apocalyptic style that we do not have in modern American culture.

This scholar does a really great job of presenting her opponents’ views in detail and then gently presenting the view she thought was correct from the scriptures without insulting her opponents. It was not only a thorough, well-researched treatment, faithful to the biblical text, but also done in a very Christlike manner. The only nitpick I can possibly give to this book is that she was fighting against certain views that are nearly 100 years old at this point, but that is to be expected as it was written in the 70s. She could not be expected to fight against modern views. I would highly recommend this book if you want to better understand these three minor prophets.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doctor Baldwin had a way of writing that kept my interest and taught me things at the same time. This final book in the Tyndale OT series did a fine job of explaining the last three books of the Old Testament. Possibly more important, the work looked backward to the entirety of the story that had been woven across the Tanakh and forward past the years of silence to the coming of Messiah. It felt like a capstone as well to the long journey through 28 books of the commentary. A journey worth taking.

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary is a bit dated in some of its scholarship (mostly in references to no-longer-used English versions and critical scholars from 80 to 100 years ago), but still absolutely worth reading. Baldwin argues carefully and clearly, helpfully makes application, and offers unapologetically Christological readings of these three prophets. I benefitted more from this volume than most from the Tyndale series (and I find the Tyndale commentaries consistently beneficial)!

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this commentary on the last of the minor prophets because it was ranked #1 on best commentaries.com. I found it to be very informative and would definitely recommend it as resource material for anyone preparing to preach or teach from these books. The commentary on Zechariah stood out to me as the best of the three. Worth owning, but I found it difficult to engage and left me wondering what other authors have to offer.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary has dated in that the author engages with translations that are no longer in use (e.g. the New English Bible, which has passed into history), but her analysis of the breadth of Bible teaching that comes out of these three short books is extremely thorough and helpful.

[Peter Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best short introduction to these Minor Prophets that I have read. Gives you all the necessary historical background without being too long winded.

[John Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Also Paul LaMarche on Zech. Never realised quite so much mission and holiness in Zechariah!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all the books in this series, this is a carefully documented commentary for serious students of these 3 books of the Bible.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Just Zechariah.

[Philip Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best commentaries out there for these last three prophetical books.