The Old Testament: Septuagint and a Commentary on Deuteronomy-Ruth
The Lexham English Septuagint (Second Edition). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019. 1482 Pages. Cloth. $39.99. https://lexhampress.com/
Duguid, Iain M., James M. Hamilton, Jr., and Jay Sklar, Editors. Contributions by August H. Konkel, David Reimer, Miles V. Van Pelt, and Mary Willson Hannah. ESV Expository Commentary (Volume II, Deuteronomy-Ruth). Wheaton: Crossway,
A library three times as large as the New Testament, the Hebrew Old Testament deserves as much attention as the New. Do our libraries reflect its importance? If your personal collection needs a boost, consider investing in the two volumes we review below.
LXX anyone?
I'll keep asking Lexham for a print edition of the Lexham English Bible until they agree to do so. In the meantime, consider what the publisher has to say about this English translation of the Greek Translation of the Hebrew Old Testament.
A Fresh Translation of the Septuagint
The Lexham English Septuagint (LES) is a new translation of the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament writings used during New Testament times and in the early church. Beautifully typeset in a comfortable, single-column format, the LES provides a literal, readable, and transparent English edition of the Septuagint for modern readers. Retaining the familiar forms of personal names and places, the LES gives readers the ability to read it alongside their favored English Bible. Translated directly from Swete’s edition of the Septuagint, the LES maintains the meaning of the original text, making the Septuagint accessible to readers today.
The second edition of the LES makes more of an effort than the first to focus on the text as received rather than as produced. Because this approach shifts the point of reference from a diverse group to a single implied reader, the new LES exhibits more consistency than the first edition.
(Publisher's Website)
Would a translation of a translation of the Bible ever be my primary Bible? No. Yet, if you do not know Greek, or if your Greek translation skills are modest, slow, or you are limited on time, a resource like the LES should be a secondary tool for your Bible study.
Readers will note a single column format in a readable font of decent size for my almost-50 eyes. LES is based on an interlinear with a similar title. The first edition was edited by Randall Tan with significant contributions by Ken Penner and a host of others. This is a second edition, "revised with the assistance of Benjamin Pass and Christine Welles....and Dustin King" (viii). It is intended to be a literal and transparent translation of the Greek edition of Swete.
Titles of books are different, yet familiar names of people and places are retained. Samuel and Kings are 1-4 Kingdoms. You will note apocryphal books and additions to Esther and Daniel, plus all Maccabees books, Psalms of Solomon, Enoch, Odes, and alternate texts for Tobit, Daniel, Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon.
Yes, this is worth the $40 or less investment on your part, if nothing else than to read in English translation, the alternate readings marked LXX in the notes of your favorite translation in their entirety and in proper context.
Lexham, how about a print edition of the LEB now?
Four books in one. That's what you're getting for the cost of admission with this volume of the ESV Expository Commentary.
We all have our blind spots, theologically, experientially, and Biblically. If you don't know Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, or Ruth as well as you like, consider this volume.
Volume 2
A Passage-by-Passage Commentary of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth
Designed to strengthen the global church with a widely accessible, theologically sound, and pastorally wise resource for understanding and applying the overarching storyline of the Bible, this commentary series features the full text of the ESV Bible passage by passage, with crisp and theologically rich exposition and application. Editors Iain M. Duguid, James M. Hamilton Jr., and Jay Sklar have gathered a team of experienced pastor-theologians to provide a new generation of pastors and other teachers of the Bible around the world with a globally-minded commentary series rich in biblical theology and broadly Reformed doctrine, making the message of redemption found in all of Scripture clear and available to all.
With contributions from a team of pastors and scholars, this commentary’s contributors include:
August H. Konkel (Deuteronomy)
David Reimer (Joshua)
Miles V. Van Pelt (Judges)
Mary Willson Hannah (Ruth)(Publisher's Website)
My readthroughs of this thick tome of a commentary revealed much of help to the Bible scholar, pastor, and preacher. This book was printed in Italy. Binding and paper appear to be durable, just what I want to see in a book that could receive heavy use over the ministries of multiple owners. I rejoiced to see commentary that countered critical scholarship (e.g. 27, passim).
I thank the commentator on Deuteronomy for the honest admission (96) that we know there are Ten Commandments/Words, yet do not know how they are to be divided. A connection to the temptation of Jesus is noted on Deuteronomy 8, with connections for preaching (123). That the commentator knows of Darwin's Black Box by Behe is commendable (137). Read more about why prison was impossible in ancient times on p. 243.
Focusing the preacher on the right questions is important (318). You will benefit from the chart on the Narrative Arc of Joshua 1-12 (325ff). An alternative to the ESV translation is presented in the interest of clarity, accuracy, and good scholarship (e.g. 375; commenting on Joshua 6:1). Preachers will find commentary on Joshua 24:14-15 bracing, yet helpful (502-3).
The literary structure of Judges is striking (515)! I appreciated the connection between Hebrews and Judges (518). Properly defining the term that is the English title of the book is important to share with hearers (521; instruments of judgement). There are helpful parallels identified between the calls of Gideon and Moses (574) and the accounts Gideon and John the Baptist (623). Need help with the Judges 14:14 riddle or chapter 15 poem? Answers come from the Hebrew (633, 636-7). The Judges commentator provides advice and perspective on Samson (644-5).
Preaching from Ruth is a challenge and an opportunity. Prepare yourself with p. 685ff. I loved reading about the connections to Jesus and David on 718-9.
I recommend this volume, especially if you have no commentaries on these four books and as a companion to the commentaries you already have on one or all.
More ESV Expository Commentaries are on our review shelf. You'll hear more about them soon.
And Lexham, a print LEB, please?
Rev. Paul J Cain is Senior Pastor of Immanuel, Sheridan, Wyoming, Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School and Immanuel Academy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education, First Vice-President of the Wyoming District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a member of its Board of Directors, Rhetoric Teacher for Wittenberg Academy, and Editor of Lutheran Book Review. He has served as an LCMS Circuit Visitor, District Worship Chairman, District Evangelism Chairman, District Education Chairman/NLSA Commissioner, and District Secretary. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Rev. Cain is a contributor to Lutheran Service Book, Lutheranism 101, the Hymnal Companion hymn and liturgy volumes, and is the author of 5 Things You Can Do to Make Our Congregation a Caring Church. He is an occasional guest on KFUO radio. He has previously served Emmanuel, Green River, WY and Trinity, Morrill, NE. Rev. Cain is married to Ann and loves reading and listening to, composing, and making music.
