LibGuides: THL 101 Word Study Basics: Commentaries and Dictionaries

Commentaries and Dictionaries

A commentary is a book-length, written, systematic series of explanations and interpretations of Scripture.

   Commentaries often analyze or expound on individual books of the Bible, chapter by chapter
   and verse by verse. A commentary may explain the language or even individual words used
   in a section of text. Or it may discuss the historical background.

Almost all commentaries attempt to explain the passage in terms of some system (hermeneutic) of theology.

Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries in Theology & Religion Online This link opens in a new window
"Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries span over 86 volumes and is one of the most trusted and long-running scholarly commentaries series for Biblical Studies scholars. This prestigious commentary series represents the pinnacle of biblical scholarship"...It "draws from the wisdom and resources of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish scholars from around the world. Includes a book-by-book translation and exegesis of the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Apocrypha to make available all the significant historical and linguistic knowledge which bears on the interpretation of the Bible."
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary in Theology & Religion Online This link opens in a new window
"The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary is a six-volume state-of-the-art dictionary of the Bible offering the most up-to-date and comprehensive treatment of biblical subjects and topics." It contains "more than 6,000 entries, 7,000,000 words, and nearly 1,000 contributors, endpaper maps of the Near Eastern world keyed to text for quick location of archaeological and biblical sites, articles on pseudepigraphic and apocryphal texts, Nag Hammadi tractates, and individual Dead Sea Scrolls, including the most recently published sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls as well as articles illustrating the literary artistry of the biblical text."

The New Interpreter’s Bible. 12 vols. BS 491.2 .N 484 1994 Reference Fl. 1

Presents leading biblical scholarship through an in-depth commentary on
the complete Bible. Contributors are leading biblical scholars who bring a
wealth of fresh perspectives to biblical interpretation.

The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. BS 491.2 .N485 1990 Reference Fl. 1

Verse-by-verse survey of the Bible. Examines the scientific, literary, and
historical content of Scripture, and reflects the exegetical diversity within
the community of Roman Catholic teachers.

Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. 12 vols. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdman, 1977.
BS440 .B5713 1977 Reference Fl. 1

Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 10 vols. Edited by Gerhard Kittel and Gerhard Friedrich.
Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1964-. BS2312 .T53 1999 Reference Fl. 1

Sacra Pagina
Translations and modern expositions of all the books of the New Testament by eminent Catholic biblical scholars.
It is intended for biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, clergy, and religious educators.
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
Early commentary tradition known as the glossa ordinaria, a text artfully elaborated with ancient and authoritative reflections
and insights. The vast array of writings from the church fathers—including much that is available only in the ancient languages—have been combed for their comment on Scripture.
Berit Olam
Hebrew for “everlasting covenant,” the Berit Olam series is a multi-volume commentary on the books of the Hebrew Bible. The Series approaches the final form of the texts as literary works, recognizing the craft of poetry and storytelling of the ancient Hebrew world.