Ezra, Nehemiah (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 16 | WBC)

von H. G. M. Williamson

Verlag:

Thomas Nelson

, 1985

Overview

Based on years of intensive study and research, this commentary provides competent guidance to the complexities of Ezra and Nehemiah. The author gives special attention to the perplexing problems associated with their form, structure, and literary history. Supporting the view that much of this material is from the fifth century BC, just as it claims to be, he concludes that “there is good reason to approach Ezra and Nehemiah as two parts of single work and that this work is to be regarded as complete as it stands.” Williamson also focuses on sections of these books commonly referred to as the “Ezra Memoir” and the “Nehemiah Memoir.” He notes the specifically theological purpose of such sections, in which the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple are defended against the enemies, and the leaders of Israel plead for recognition of their faithfulness to the commission given them by God through the Persian kings.

Key Features

• Incorporates Greek and Hebrew resources for in-depth research
• Contains author translations
• Includes Greek and Hebrew text throughout; Hebrew also transliterated

Contents

Top Highlights

“Second, being defined more by race and religion than by nationality, the Jewish community is urged to observe a strict program of separation in order to maintain its identity.” (Page l)

“We may therefore conclude by affirming that there is good reason to approach Ezra and Nehemiah as two parts of a single work and that this work is to be regarded as complete as it stands.” (Page xxiii)

“We must start by noting that although the books have an initial appearance of straightforward historical narrative, they do not regard chronology in the same rigid manner as we do. The events recorded are selected for their contribution to the total presentation of the restoration and then welded together without particular concern for the intervening passage of time.” (Page xlviii)

“First, the books make a clear statement about the role of the Persian kings in the divine purposes;” (Page l)

“Finally, the temptation to give up because of the difficulties of the work was met with the response of leadership by example.” (Page 230)

About Word Biblical Commentary | WBC

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Contributors—all of whom rank among the leading Christian scholars of the English-speaking world—write authoritatively on the portions of Scripture in which they specialize. This collection also includes an enviable scholar’s array of Bible translations and Greek and Hebrew resources for in-depth research.

Overview of Word Biblical Commentary | WBC Organization

• Introduction—covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology.

Each section of the commentary includes:

• Pericope Bibliography—a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope.
• Translation—the author’s own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English.
• Notes—the author’s notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation.
• Form/Structure/Setting—a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here.
• Comment—verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research.
• Explanation—brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues.
• General Bibliography—occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

About H. G. M. Willamson

H. G. M. Willamson is lecturer in Hebrew and Aramaic at Cambridge University. He is the author of International Critical Commentary: Isaiah: 1–5, Sheffield Old Testament Guides: Ezra and Nehemiah, and coeditor of Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books.