The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

by Victor P. Hamilton

Each commentary opens with an introduction to the biblical book, looking especially at questions concerning its background, authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology. A select bibliography also points readers to resources fore their own study.

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

522 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1990

Reviews

[Luke Rasmussen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Andrew Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to give this 4.5 stars if it was possible. Overall, Hamilton is solid. But he occasionally misses some clear connections to the New Testament.

[Matthew Bonzon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has strengths and weaknesses. It gave too much focus to extra-biblical texts (which I see why, nonetheless still too much). I would have appreciated more biblical theology and overall theological reflection. I think more focus on discourse analysis would have greatly helped too.
His strength was surely his grammatical focus, and there were some exegetical gems throughout the commentary.
By no means, is this a bad commentary. I would just pair this with some biblical theological reading. Also, if I were to guess Hamilton is probably a conservative Methodist. So… expect to disagree with him a lil.

[gracebookster]

#forschool #whitemanprof

[Paul Merideth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite commentary on Genesis. Most often I access commentaries as needed just select verses - this is one of the few commentaries I read cover to cover! It is excellent. He does both a literary and theological analysis equally well.

[Robert Hasler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first volume of Hamilton's Genesis commentary. Generally, I find the NICOT series to be exceptional and appreciate the way they format the text with translation, exposition, and commentary that is rich with biblical theology.

This volume does a particularly good job of highlighting the polemical quality of many passages in Genesis. As Hamilton argues, the Exodus community when receiving their "worldview narrative" (Collins) would have identified critical differences between Genesis and the origin myths of their ANE neighbors. These differences, sometimes blind to modern readers, would have emphasized the distinctness of monotheism, the LORD's loving and gracious character, the worth and vocation of human beings, and the goodness of the created order. Genesis was no myth, but a historical record of the transcendent Creator God who nevertheless chose to be intimately involved with his creation, even establishing a covenant with his people in order to save all the families of the earth.

[Rob Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surely bible commentaries are not really expected to be read cover to cover, rather consulted by as required, nevertheless I did read this entire volume. Hamilton's is probably overall the best/near best rated Genesis commentary and certainly goes a good job of analysis. Hamilton appears to be a Hebrew specialist and the overriding emphasis of the commentary is in interpreting the vocabulary, grammar and syntax to get to the true meaning - sometimes beyond the point of comprehension for any but fellow experts.

Despite some reviewers suggesting Hamilton is a liberal, in actual fact he discusses all the liberal traditions of interpretation and does a thorough job of demolishing almost every one of them. What he doesn't do very often himself is put up his own argument or conclusion (except on linguist issues), being content with a last man standing approach. His own evangelical position most clearly comes out in the innovative sections where he discusses New Testament appropriations of the text.

At times it feels as if the detailed Hebraic attention is missing the wood for the trees; when big issues are raised, but the overall implications are either glossed over or even missed. These are usually historical or broad theological issues and as such aren't really Hamilton's prime interest. One example would be the failure to explore the plausibility of such a coalition of kings as Abram fought in Genesis 14 - my own view is that it is unlikely Elam itself claimed tribute rights in Canaan but rather this was mercenary coalition under 'generals' described as kings. However this criticism by no means suggests that this kind of material is missing, in fact there is a real wealth of historical and cultural comparative information included. It just isn't developed along these lines as it might have been.

Overall does a great job of defending and expounding Genesis.

[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. I did enjoy this first volume (Chapters 1-17) and 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.

[Gradon Schaub · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been using this commentary as I have preaching through Genesis. It is a helpful exegetical commentary. Hamilton does not get lost in the textual critical weeds too much, and most of the time provides helpful comments. The commentary on Genesis 1-11 was much stronger than the commentary on Genesis 12-17; his comments regarding the Babylonian creation narratives and how the Genesis 1-2 account of creation serves as a polemic against that is incredibly insightful.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good commentary. I think it was a great companion for my study through Genesis. The only drawback for me is that it felt at times to get hung up on certainly particularities with a word or syntax at the expense of the overall ideas. But overall it was a solid resource. The New Testament appropriations were the most valuable parts and I will most certainly return and reference this book.

[Vicki Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. He is clearly a linguist. I liked that he refers to extra Biblical texts and opposed views. He is an apologist in his own right.
The book is a tough read for a layperson as it can be pedantic.
I feel he glossed over some of the spiritual aspects of Genesis, but the book would have been off point if it had. It is focused on understanding the text not just interpretations of it.

[Stuart Turton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth your time if you find yourself in the early chapters of Genesis

[Joshua Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful. Weak on biblical theology/typology.

[Tim Fritson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most technical. Helpful for navigating language issues, complex cultural matters, and textual variants.

[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.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this because Carolyn Custis James quotes this book a lot in Half the Church when she was discussion Eve. I had a hard time getting into the book because the introduction felt like a literature review. The questions Hamilton discussed, however, like the authorship and theology of Genesis, were interesting, so I made it through. Once I got to the main portion of the text where Hamilton goes through Genesis passage by passage, I really enjoyed reading it. I didn't understand all the deatils and footnotes about Hebrew words, but I understood enough to appreciate his arguments. I've already started the second volume, which, thankfully, does not have another introduction but goes straight into the text. I especially appreciated the way Hamilton discusses opinions he does not agree with and also the sections called "New Testament Appropriation" where Hamilton explains how new testament authors used a particular Genesis text.

[John Brackbill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful.However, his less than conservative tendencies pop up on a rather contestant basis. This is one of those ratings where part of me wanted to give it a two because of those liberal tendencies and part of me wanted to give it a four because it was at times very helpful. I plan to read the second vol. all the way through as well.

[Dennis Henn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most interesting commentaries I have read. One of the few I have read like a book rather than a reference guide. Hamilton provides an extensive examination of key Hebrew words and alternate renderings for difficult verses.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The assignment was to skim every page and I'd say that is a fair description of my reading. Overall a very helpful commentary although I felt at times Hammilton went small (focus on grammmar, individual word meanings, etc.) in order to avoid larger theological questions.