IVP Bible Commentary: Pentateuch

Description

It was our privilege, as members of the editorial committee, to be at the center of this busy activity for over three years. Other people were continuing to labor, and we were sharing in their labor. It was truly a blessing to work with those who were called to work on this huge project. First of all, thank them.

They spared no effort and tolerated our suggestions, interference, and even the occasional request for rewriting. Those to whom we express our deepest gratitude were a carefully selected team of Bible scholars. As is always the case with those seeking to publish at IVP (Inter-Varsity Press), we received top-notch professional help. First of all, I would like to mention only Editor-in-Chief Derek Wood and Editor-in-Chief Sue Rebis, but I would like to express my gratitude to all the IVP family members who directly or indirectly helped publish this commentary. Sure, they often wished we could work faster, respond more quickly, and write more clearly, but they were patient with us. They truly deserve our gratitude, and the gratitude of all who have the benefit and pleasure of using these commentaries.
The biggest challenge in a single-volume commentary on the entire Bible is condensing and summarizing, along with the rigorous task of deciding what to include and what to omit. We wanted to focus on the 'flow' of each book and text, and in this way make a fundamental contribution to understanding the Bible. Readers of the Bible (not just early readers) have too often found themselves in a quandary without tools to help them see the forest for the trees. We believe that users will benefit as much as possible when our annotations are used for this purpose. However, we tried not to overlook detailed difficulties as space allowed. Anyway, we've added an overall list of books worth reading and studying further. As is usually the case, the lists are arranged in order of must-read from top to bottom. The books at the top of each list are intended to meet the primary needs of those who wish to advance from the detailed knowledge this commentary provides of the Bible. Indeed, our enthusiasm and conviction are as follows: We want each Christian and the entire professing church to give the highest priority to knowing, loving, and obeying God's Word, the Bible. We have served zealously for this cause, and we pray and hope that our commentary will be used for this purpose.

This book is the second major revision of the New Bible Commentary, first published in 1953. As editorial board members, we are privileged to stand in the midst of this deeply honorable tradition. We honor the monumental work of Francis Davidson, Ernest Kevan, Alan Stibbs, and Donald Guthrie, true experts on the Word of God. These are our treasures now in heaven. We also remember and thank Donald Wiseman for his advisory role when the New Bible Commentary Revised appeared in 1970. Our loving respect for these men and the gifts God gave them is shared by millions of readers around the world. This expanded and revised edition is completely different from the 1953 edition, and almost nothing remains from the 1970 edition. The primary Bible was changed from RSV to NIV, and God called a new international writing team. Even in cases where the author is the same as the 1970 edition, the text has been rewritten or completely revised.

But in the midst of all these changes is the unchanging power of God and His inspired Word. We would not dare compare ourselves to the greats of the past. However, I hope and pray that God will once again make this book a blessing to His people and an instrument of His glory.
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