User Guide

Commentaries

Primary Sources and Related Works

Textual Criticism

Lexicons

Theological Dictionaries and Word Studies

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Atlases, Geography, and Topography

OT Introductions

Old Testament Background, History, and Archaeology

Old Testament Theology

Biblical Theology

The Greek NT

Greek Grammar

NT Introductions

NT Background Studies

New Testament Theology

Gospels Studies

Studies on Acts

Pauline Studies

Studies on the General Epistles, Hebrews, and Revelation

Hermeneutics and Exegesis

Homiletics

OT Introductions

Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Chicago: Moody, 2007.

*Arnold, Bill T., and H. G. M. Williamson. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. Vol. 2. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005.

*DeRouchie, Jason S. What the Old Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Jesus' Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2013. Unlike typical OT introductions, this book explores each book of the OT from an explicitly Christian perspective, covering not only each book’s contents but also its fulfillment in Jesus as clarified in the NT.

Harrison, R. K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2016.

Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009.

Longman, Tremper, and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

Merrill, Eugene H., Michael A. Grisanti, and Mark F. Rooker. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2011.

*Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012. This introduction treats both the themes of specific books as well as the Pentateuch as a unified composition. Unlike many such introductions, Alexander also traces out NT connections at the end of every chapter.

*Alexander, T. Desmond, and David W. Baker. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Vol. 1. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2008.

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic Books, 2011.

Poythress, Vern S. Interpreting Eden: A Guide to Faithfully Reading and Understanding Genesis 1-3. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019. We include this here because of the controversies that swirl around the interpretation of these critical chapters. This is a wise, sophisticated, biblically faithful guide to the principles surrounding the interpretation of the creation narrative.

Vogt, Peter T. Interpreting the Pentateuch: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2009. 

Wenham, Gordon J. Exploring the Old Testament: A Guide to the Pentateuch. Westmont, IL: IVP, 2016.

Alter, Robert. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York: Basic Books, 2011.

*Arnold, Bill T., and H. G. M. Williamson. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. Vol. 2. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005.

Chisholm, Robert B. Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2006.

Fokkelman, J. P., and Ineke Smit. Reading Biblical Narrative: An Introductory Guide. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001.

Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Historical Books. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001.

*Howard, David M. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago: Moody, 2007.

Long, V. Philips. The Art of Biblical History. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.

*Pratt, Richard L. He Gave Us Stories: The Bible Student's Guide to Interpreting Old Testament Narratives. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 1993.

Anderson, Bernhard W., and Steven Bishop. Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for Us Today. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2000.

Bartholomew, Craig G. Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction. Westmont, IL: IVP, 2018.

*Belcher Jr, Richard P. Finding Favour in the Sight of God: A Theology of Wisdom Literature. NSBT. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2018.

Bullock, C. Hassell. Encountering the Book of Psalms: A Literary and Theological Introduction. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018.

Curtis, Edward M. Interpreting the Wisdom Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2017.

*Estes, Daniel J. Handbook on the Wisdom Books and Psalms. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010. 

———. Hear, My Son: Teaching and Learning in Proverbs 1-9. Leicester, England: Apollos, 2003.

Futato, Mark D. Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2007.

Fyall, Robert S. Now My Eyes Have Seen You: Images of Creation and Evil in the Book of Job. NSBT. Downers Grove, IL IVP Academic, 2002.

*Grogan, Geoffrey. Prayer, Praise, and Prophecy: A Theology of the Psalms. Fearn, Scotland: Mentor, 2009.

*Jackson, David R. Crying Out for Vindication: The Gospel According to Job. GAOT. Phillipsburg, NJ: 

P&R, 2007. An excellent entry in this very helpful series. Particularly helpful biblical-theological overviews for the pastor planning a sermon series.

Kidner, Derek. The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1985.

Kraus, Hans-Joachim, and Keith R. Crim. Theology of the Psalms. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1992.

Longman, Tremper. How to Read Proverbs. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006.

———. How to Read the Psalms. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2005.

*Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. Vol. 3. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2008.

Murphy, Roland E. The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.

*O‘Donnell, Douglas Sean. The Beginning and End of Wisdom: Preaching Christ from the First and Last Chapters of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001. 

Wenham, Gordon J. The Psalter Reclaimed: Praying and Praising with the Psalms. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.

Westermann, Claus. Praise and Lament in the Psalms. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1981.

_________. The Psalms: Structure, Content, and Message. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 1980.

Zuck, Roy B. Sitting with Job: Selected Studies on the Book of Job. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2003. This book of essays on Job has two sections: 12 general essays (structure, purpose, genre, etc.), and 22 on specific themes and passages in Job. A helpful companion for a thorough study of the book.

Bandy, Alan S., and Benjamin L. Merkle. Understanding Prophecy: A Biblical-Theological Approach. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2015.

*Boda, Mark J., and J. G. McConville. Dictionary of the Old Testament Prophets. Vol. 4. IVP Bible Dictionary Series. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2012.

Gentry, Peter J. How to Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017.

Gowan, Donald E. Theology of The Prophetic Books: The Death and Resurrection of Israel. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1998.

Hays, J. Daniel, and Tremper Longman. Message of the Prophets: A Survey of the Prophetic and Apocalyptic Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.

*Robertson, O. Palmer. The Christ of the Prophets. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2004.

Smith, Gary V. Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2014.

Taylor, Richard A. Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2016.

VanGemeren, Willem. Interpreting the Prophetic Word: An Introduction to the Prophetic Literature of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.

Williams, Michael J. The Prophet and His Message: Reading Old Testament Prophecy Today. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2003.