Genesis: A Commentary

by Bruce K. Waltke, Cathi J. Fredricks

This landmark commentary marshals the vast experience and brilliant insights of one of today’s most revered Old Testament scholars. To those familiar with the work of Bruce K. Waltke, the significance and value of Genesis will be instantly apparent. Others who are unfamiliar with Waltke have only to read the first few chapters to understand why he has earned the reputation of a scholar’s scholar, and why this masterful volume stands like a monolith among Old Testament commentaries.Exploring the first book of the Bible as "theological literature," Waltke illuminates its meanings and methods for the pastor, scholar, teacher, student, and Bible-lover. Genesis strikes an unusual balance by emphasizing the theology of the Scripture text while also paying particular attention to the flow and development of the plot and literary techniques--inclusion, irony, chiasm, and concentric patterning--that shape the message of the "book of beginnings".GenesisModels the way to read and interpret the narratives of the book of GenesisProvides helpful exegetical notes that address key issues and debates surrounding the textIncludes theological reflections on how the message addresses our contemporary theological and social issues, such as ecology, homosexuality, temperance, evil, prayer, and obedienceAddresses critical interpretive issues, such as authenticity, date, and authorshipFor all the author’s formidable intellect and meticulous research, Genesis is amazingly accessible. This is no mere study tool. Lucidly and eloquently written, it is a work of the heart that helps us not only to understand deeply God’s Word in its context, but also to consider how it applies to us today.

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

656 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Bruce K. Waltke is Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Knox Theological Seminary, Fort Lauderdale, and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Regent College, Vancouver.

Reviews

[Mark Loughridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary, sparked off many trains of thought. Excellent at showing the literary patterns and devices in Moses' writing.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Genesis is one of the most studied books in the entire Bible. Not only due to its sheer size, nor its placement in the pentateuch, but to the theological that is found within its pages. Therefore there has always been a disproportionate amount of commentaries about this first book of the pentateuch. Yet out of all of these commentaries very few are considered worthy of her preachers time and study. One of these such commentaries is Genesis: A commentary, by Bruce K Waltke. Waltke’s greatest asset to this commentary is its format. For he embarks on a study on the Book of Genesis in narrative theology. This is important to note since the genre of Genesis is narrative. Unfortunately not many commentators realize the importance of narrative theology and seem to miss the overall structure of the book as a narrative unit with separate narratives in between.

This book is superb and it’s analysis of seems, motifs, and textual analysis, unfortunately the shortness of this commentary is a downfall. That is not to say that what is found within this 600 page commentary is not phenomenal, rather the work leads you begging for more exposition of this type. I look forward to using this commentary in conjunction with others as I preach through The Narrative of Abraham’s life soon.

Another point of note, it is the author’s dedication to reformed theology. Waltke, when writing this work, was a professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, a in this work he held tightly to the notion of God’s absolute sovereignty in His redemptive historical plan for salvation. Furthermore in this work the Covenant theological structure is emphasized, and covenant theology itself is at the forefront.

Lastly there is a extremely important issue in this work which I and other’s take issue with, this is in regard to Waltke’s usage of framework theory in analyzing the creation account. While, as stated, I do not hold to framework theology, Waltke does a wonderful job in explaining it without forcing you to accept it. Furthermore while he does argue for in this text, the rest of the commentary is not affected by his view of creation. Also Waltke does argue for a historical Adam which keeps this work solidly within Christian Orthodoxy. I therefore recommend this work to pastors who seek to have a narrative theological exegesis of Genesis, though I do suggest this work being used in conjunction with a more thorough exegesis of the Hebrew text.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Zondervan Publishing in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.

[Darwin Ross · Rating 4 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.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waltke (former Westminster prof) is a real master of the OT. This commentary is generally solid, but uneven. It has the feel of cleaned up lecture notes. In some places it is extremely rich and insightful, in others surprisingly thin and obvious.

Anyone teaching or preaching through Genesis will want this, but will also want to read a few others. Allen Ross is probably the most detailed and helpful. Victor Hamilton in the NICOT series is helpful, but I found theologically problematic at places. Boice is homiletical, careful, Reformed, bt tends to be more moralistic than Christ-centered. Indispensible are the two Iain Duguid volumes on select parts of Genesis. Kidner in TOT series is good.

[Brandon Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the textbook for my Genesis class. I think it’s pretty safe to say that this book is the gold standard when it comes to contemporary works on Genesis. Waltke Is very readable but stays very close to the text, with very little fluff. If you could only buy one commentary on Genesis, this would have to be on the shortlist. The only knock that I have against the book, is that Waltke isn’t a young earther. Unfortunately, this seems to be the general consensus among contemporary scholars. As I always say, eat the meat and spit out the bone.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful commentary though at times the academics of it was more than I was looking for.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waltke is also solid. Helpful with thematic and technical details. Gets the main points and outline of Genesis.

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

First rate. Top shelf! Must have!!!

[Jess Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un contenu excellent pour une présentation très bof.

Ce commentaire est la mise en commun de deux sources retravaillés :le cours de Waltke au Regent College et des notes préparés pour la Geneva bible (Aujourd'hui édité par par feu R. C. Sproul sous le nom de Reformation Study Bible).

On a donc pas vraiment un commentaire verset par verset mais seulement des passages le nécessitant selon Waltke. Les sources d'origines n'en font pas vraiment un livre à lire du début à la fin mais plutôt un ouvrage à consulter quand on veut étudier un texte en particulier.

Une fois ces réserves par rapport à la forme émise il faut souligner la qualité du contenu.
Les connaissances de Waltke sont vraiment grandes et il se fait un plaisir de les partager. On ressort avec un tas de réflexions et d'informations sur le texte, que ce soit sur sa forme ou sur les informations qu'il contient, qui donne envie de se replonger dans la lecture de la Genèse.

Pas une grande lecture mais un outil de qualité.

[Daniel Supimpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and beautiful to read. I consider it interesting for a different range of readers (either biblical scholars interested in literary approaches, a bible study, or a curious investigator of a Christian reading of the Old Testament).

In a personal conversation with the author in July 2017, Dr. Waltke said that he wrote this book while he was working in a way larger and more technical project (the Proverbs commentary on the NICOT series). The present commentary, he affirmed, was fruit of his time of leisurely and devotional reading of Genesis in order to 'rest' from his harder academic work. I'm very thankful for the outcome! The literary analysis and theological reflections are far from simplistic, taking a serious synchronic approach to the biblical text.

[Jonathan Ginn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read this commentary from cover to cover, but I skimmed through various portions of it in preparation for a Sunday school class I taught over the last several months. If possible, I'd give it a 3.5/5. I found certain parts of the commentary to be helpful, clear, and concise. However, the exegetical notes and comments sometimes felt rather sparse. It provides a structured overview of the book of Genesis without getting too technical, so it would make for a useful, accessible commentary for those who aren't as interested in working through the more of the more academic weeds of Genesis scholarship.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent commentary, but not without its shortcomings. Waltke pulls together some extremely good insights that aren't to be missed. His literary and characterisation analyses are also very good. I find Waltke especially helpful in that he draws on numerous sources and cites them. This makes cross-referencing easy, but he gives the impression of discovering a new source, working with it for several chapters, and then forgetting about it. Waltke doesn't cover text critical issue in any great detail either and he seems to ignore a lot of "background" issues and information.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Commentary. Waltke's strength is in understanding the larger literary themes in Genesis. He doesn't narrowly focus only on the immediate story but also shows the links between stories and the repeated themes such as the similarities between the judgment of the flood and Soddom and Gomorrah. Highly Recommended.

[Warren B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great and thorough commentary. I learned a lot with this one! It presents some views about the origins of Genesis (no pun intended)that I had difficulty reconciling, but the way I see it, a good commentary always makes you consider an array of approaches so as to allow the reader some discrepancy. Nothing at all wrong with that! I highly recommend!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Bible study has been working through Genesis since Jan 07 and this is my main resource. I think it is an incredible work which holds together all the aspects of a good commentary. My only criticism is that his structure of Genesis seems forced at times.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This commentary is simply amazing. Great book of reference. I love the literary analysis. In a little more than 600 pages, the book becomes a valuable help to any theology student who is looking for a serious but also resumed commentary of the opening book of the Bible.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great commentary on Genesis. Provides solid support for arguments, while giving some great understanding to the concept of sin in Genesis. Written from a Reformed Perspective so have your filter prepared.

[Scott Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent commentary on Genesis, with an interesting literary-analysis focus. My only critique is what appear to be Waltke's leanings towards the "Framework hypothesis" (c.f. Meredith Kline) for understanding the Genesis creation account.

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensive and helpful. It has two major sections. Exegetical, and theological. Both are really helpful for different purposes.

Great commentary. Don't read it as a book all straight though. At last not without a bible to break it up.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Especially helpful for readers/researchers/preachers who have a narrative bent.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good without being overly technical. Great for teachers wanting the key points of specific passages.

[Stephen Altrogge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!

[Trey Bahm · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authority on the Genesis account. A culmination of years of study of the Old Testament.

[Nate Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really like the format of this commentary - concise, interesting comments on the text, with helpful theological reflections at the end of each section.

[Joe Haack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most helpful commentary I used while preaching on the life of Jacob. His format is very helpful for the bigger picture.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

As has been my experience with other of Waltke's work, he uniquely combines both scholarly research with rich spiritual insight. This was a delight!

[Billy Hillton · Rating 5 out of 5]

That book is very amazing.

[W I Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good commentary

Aided in my understanding of Genesis. Walter is good not only on the Hebrew but also the theology of Genesis

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expansive, more theological commentary while remaining concise.

[Davin · Rating 3 out of 5]

strong point of this commentary is its Bibilical Commentary and theological reflection. However, compared to Walton, it is somewhat lacking in the language analysis part.