Genesis

Author Derek Kidner
Publisher IVP £16.99  2019
Format pbk
ISBN 9781789741001

Originally published in the Tyndale Classic Commentaries series in 1967, this is a re-issue of this famous commentary. In his introduction Kidner tackles the issue of authorship, writing that ‘the inclusion of Genesis among the writings of Moses’ is an open question, but he praises the conception and artistry of the work irrespective of the authorship question. There follow ten pages of ‘pentateuchal criticism’, an interesting section on ‘human beginnings’ and ten pages on ‘the theology of Genesis’. The commentary is in two parts: Genesis Chapters 1 to 11 and 12 to 50 which generally focus directly on the text. There are footnotes to the chapters in both parts but no overall bibliography though there are additional notes on what might be regarded as more controversial issues in the late 1960s. As a Reader I felt more comfortable with Kidner’s 1967 commentary than Steinmann’s new book (see previous review). But I much prefer Clare Amos’ The Book of Genesis (Epworth) which I reviewed for The Reader in 2004; and there will have been several more modern commentaries in the last 15 years.
DAVID SELLICK