The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17 (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament | NICOT)

by Victor P. Hamilton

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 1990

Overview

The first volume of Victor P. Hamilton’s two-volume study of Genesis in the NICOT series, this commentary contributes a solid, thorough explication of the wealth and depth of material embedded in Scripture’s foundational book.

Hamilton’s substantive introduction—which serves both this volume and the one covering chapters 18–50—discusses the structure of Genesis, its composition, its theology, the problems involved in its interpretation, its canonicity, and the Hebrew text itself. The commentary proper, based on Hamilton’s own translation, evidences his extensive knowledge of the ancient Near East and of contemporary scholarship, including literary, form, and text criticism. Siding with the arguments in favor of the literary and theological unity of the Genesis text, Hamilton stresses the main theme running throughout the book—God’s gracious promise of blessing and reconciliation in the face of evil and sin.

A unique feature of this book is Hamilton’s emphasis on the reading of Genesis by the New Testament community. Following his commentary on each section of Genesis, he discusses where and how the New Testament appropriated material from that section and incorporated it into the message of the New Covenant.

Key Features

• Verse-by-verse commentary
• In-depth discussion of textual and critical matters
• Introduction to the authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology of Genesis

Contents

Top Highlights

“As one colleague put it to me, rather laconically, ‘How much more juice can be squeezed from the lemon?’” (Page xi)

“Although apprehensive at first about starting such a monumental project, I accepted the challenge after nudging and encouragement from my seminary mentor and now the President of Asbury College, Dr. Dennis Kinlaw. One reason for my hesitancy was the numerous commentaries on Genesis already available that deserve the label opus magnum.” (Page xi)

“The title ‘Genesis’ comes to us by way of the Latin Vulgate (Incipit Liber Bresith id est Genesis), which in turn borrowed, or transliterated, from the Greek LXX, Génesis. This word is best reproduced in English by ‘origin.’” (Page 1)

“Genesis is obviously a book concerned with origins” (Page 2)

“This commentary was planned and written as a single volume, but its length dictated the need to publish it in two volumes.” (Page xii)

Endorsements

The best of current evangelical scholarship. Biblical scholars and informed laypersons will find this an excellent resource for the study of Genesis.

—Hebrew Studies

Hamilton’s work is a thorough treatment of the meaning of the text. One of the best commentaries on Genesis available for expositors.

—Bibliotheca Sacra

A substantial contribution to the study of the first part of Genesis. Its strengths lie in Hamilton’s philological, grammatical, and comparative Semitic work, as well as in his useful synthesis of prior research. It is a work that every researcher in this ancient text will want to consult.

—Themelios

Product Details

• Title: The Book of Genesis, Chapters 1–17
• Author: Victor P. Hamilton
• Series: New International Commentary on the Old and New Testament
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 1990
• Logos Release Date: 2009
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Genesis 1-17 › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780802825216, 0802825214
• Resource ID: LLS:NICOT01GE1
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-05-17T01:27:47Z

About Victor P. Hamilton

Victor P. Hamilton, now retired, was professor of Bible and theology at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, for more than 35 years. He is the author of a two-volume commentary on Genesis, Handbook on the Pentateuch, and Handbook on the Historical Books.