The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament

Understanding the Bible—a collection of diverse writings produced over many centuries—requires careful guidance. The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (ECB) offers a clear, accessible overview of the entire biblical canon, including the Apocrypha and texts like 1 Enoch.

Rather than attempting verse-by-verse analysis, the ECB focuses on larger literary units—narratives, parables, prophetic oracles—clarifying their meaning and showing how they fit into the larger structure of Scripture. Each book receives a succinct summary, and major issues of interpretation are outlined with references for further study.

The commentary draws on the work of sixty-seven scholars from a range of backgrounds, many of whom provide fresh translations from the original languages alongside the New Revised Standard Version. Thirteen introductory essays offer historical and theological context to the Bible as both ancient literature and sacred text.

Designed for students, pastors, and general readers alike, the ECB combines readable scholarship, helpful bibliographies, and a detailed subject index into a single, wide-ranging volume.