Commentary recommendation

[Bielikov]

If the Word Biblical Commentary is a good one at the macro level, what would be a great commentary on Bible backgrounds, that is conservative in its approach? Rejecting the documentary hypothesis and deutero-Isaiah and the like. Thanks.

[John Fidel]

For the NT I like Barclay's Daily Study Bible. He goes into quite a bit of history and background in his analysis of the scriptures. Also IVP and Zondervan both have Background Commentaries that are very good for both NT and OT.

[Paul Meiklejohn]

As John says, historically, the two sets that have been regularly championed on this forum are: 

 

1. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary (Old Testament and new Testaments) ZiBCOT, ZIBCNT

 

2. and IVP OT Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament /  IVP NT Background Commentary (2nd Ed.) 

 

I have both sets and use them regularly.  

 

I also concur that Barclays is excellent.

Edited October 15, 2019 by Paul Meiklejohn

[Solly]

I think the IVP and Zondervan background commentaries will work well for you, as John suggested. I also use several atlases and dictionaries to help with background information. There are many good choices among the offerings from Accordance.

[Alistair]

It depends on what you mean by Bible backgrounds, and how wide or broad you want to go.

A Bible dictionary or encyclopaedia may be more appropriate.

I cannot comment on how 'conservative' it may be, but the IVP 'black' dictionaries may be something you might consider.

[Bielikov]

If the Word Biblical Commentary is a good one at the macro level, what would be a great commentary on Bible backgrounds, that is conservative in its approach? Rejecting the documentary hypothesis and deutero-Isaiah and the like. Thanks.

What is the main difference between Zondervan and IVP background commentaries?

[jlm]

I only have the IVP background commentaries. At least in this case, things like the documentary hypothesis and deutero-Isaiah are not discussed because they are simply off-topic. How the Scripture came to be in its present form is a question for another kind of commentary.

[Bielikov]

I only have the IVP background commentaries. At least in this case, things like the documentary hypothesis and deutero-Isaiah are not discussed because they are simply off-topic. How the Scripture came to be in its present form is a question for another kind of commentary.

 

Excellent, because what I am looking for is more of a backgrounds and cultural items. Thanks for the help.

[Paul Meiklejohn]

The IVP are substantially cheaper.  You could start with them and wait until the Zondervan is on sale. Often the sales can be as much as 50% off. The Zondervan is rich in images, high quality colour photographs and maps throughout. They also have more material, the hard copies have around 8-9 volumes for the complete bible. 

Edited October 15, 2019 by Paul Meiklejohn

[Bielikov]

The IVP are substantially cheaper.  You could start with them and wait until the Zondervan is on sale. Often the sales can be as much as 50% off. The Zondervan is rich in images, high quality colour photographs and maps throughout. They also have more material, the hard copies have around 8-9 volumes for the complete bible.

 

Paul, this is excellent to know!

[Bielikov]

I only have the IVP background commentaries. At least in this case, things like the documentary hypothesis and deutero-Isaiah are not discussed because they are simply off-topic. How the Scripture came to be in its present form is a question for another kind of commentary.

 

I just purchases IVP, the Zonderman seems to have great photos, but I have multiple photo packages from Accordance. They are beautiful but I am guilty of not using them frequently enough. Thanks again,