Evangelical Press (EP) has published an excellent commentary series called the “EP Study Commentary” series. The editor is John Currid, who happens to also be the author of the Genesis volumes which this review is in regards to.
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Genesis (EP Study Commentary Series)
The Genesis 2-volume set was originally published in 2003, and it has since then had a redesign. Instead of a hardcover, this 2015 redesigned and republished edition is a paperback with a red, white, and gray cover that is very neat and professional looking. I personally have some of the original hardcover editions, and I certainly prefer this new and updated look! Though the content remains the same excellent content, the font is different and smaller than the original, and I find this to be a great improvement. EP did a great job on this redesign!
About the Author: John Currid
As mentioned already, John Currid is the author of both of the Genesis volumes, and I don’t think they could have found a better Old Testament scholar to write these volumes. Currid is the Professor of Old Testament at RTS in Jackson, MS and a renowned scholar that has proven to be competent in studies on the Pentateuch (and more).
Not only does Currid showcase his superb exegetical skills in these volumes, but he also proves to be a magnificent theologian in his dealings with some of the very difficult topics that one finds in Genesis.
Genesis: Volume One
In volume one of Genesis (which deals with Genesis 1:1-25:18), Currid begins by providing a very valuable section on introductory matters. This section includes topics such as the unfolding of God’s revelational history, the formation and canonicity of the Pentateuch, the framework view of creation, and predictions of the Messiah in Genesis.
The reader will not want to bypass this introduction! It isn’t very long (definitely not an exhaustive account of the above topics), and yet Currid’s treatment of those matters is very concise, helpful, and informative. I was very thankful for Currid’s discussion on higher criticism (I wasn’t surprised by this, knowing that he is a Reformed, conservative scholar) and his comments on the framework view. I found his critique on the framework view to be very helpful and thought-provoking, especially since this view has become quite popular today.
This volume is divided into seven main sections (or chapters):
- Creation
- The Garden
- The Fall
- The Lineage of Adam and Eve
- The Flood Account
- The Time Between Noah and Abraham
- The Life and Times of Abraham
Currid tackles a lot of hard topics in this volume! Creation, the Nephilim, the flood, etc. As mentioned above in regards to the introduction, Currid’s comments are not exhaustive, but they sure do tackle the issue head on and provide excellent teaching.
I really appreciate the format of this commentary. It begins with a concise summary of the passage that will be discussed. Then, verse by verse, Currid provides commentary on those verses. The verse (or verses) are always placed in italics and always double spaced from the surrounding commentary, making it very easy to find specific verses (and this is particularly helpful when utilizing this commentary as a resource). Finally, each chapter concludes with an application section, and it is here that Currid shows his pastoral heart.
Genesis: Volume Two
This volume deals with Genesis 25:19-50:26. It is divided into two main sections (or chapters): the story of Jacob and Esau, and the story of Joseph. Though this section doesn’t deal with as many hard passages as the first volume, it is nonetheless just as valuable. Currid continues to provide clear, concise, exegetical comments as well as pastoral counsel in his application sections.
I also want to point out some other great features of volume two. (1) The footnotes are relegated to the back of the book. For some, this will be a negative. If you like the technical footnotes that deal with critical, historical, and exegetical issues at an even deeper level, then you will feel inconvenienced by having to turn to the back of the book. However, I am the person that was just explained, and yet I didn’t mind the lack of footnotes on every page. As a matter of fact, it was slightly refreshing to just focus on the main content. Also, I think that the majority of readers will not mind the lack of footnotes throughout the book. If anything, this is probably a positive aspect for the average reader. Another reason that I don’t mind the lack of footnotes is (2) Currid’s combination of technical material (references to the original Hebrew, grammatical comments, historical dealings, etc.) with easy-to-understand comments that are helpful to pastors, scholars, and laymen. It really is a commentary for everybody! (3) I also appreciate the glossary of linguistic terms that is found in the beginning of the book.
These Genesis volumes are some of my favorite commentaries on the book of Genesis, and I cannot recommend them highly enough! I have enjoyed every volume that I’ve read so far, and it has proven to be a top-notch, helpful series that is sure to assist anybody looking to better understand, teach, and apply the Bible.
Disclaimer: My thanks to Evangelical Press for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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