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One of the amazing distinctives of the Bible is its unity. It is in reality a book containing many books, written over centuries by all kinds of people—shepherds and kings, priests and prophets—yet it paints one big, remarkably clear picture. This cohesiveness is what makes the Bible unique.
The NIV Compact Bible Commentary explains the Bible book by book. But unlike other commentaries, it begins with the larger context—the Bible as a whole—then shows you how all its books fit into the grand picture. Instead of a verse-by-verse exposition, it unlocks the meanings of larger sections of Scripture. You'll see how key themes, concepts, and even specific terms from earlier books of the Bible are echoed and expanded on in later books.
If you're serious about studying the Bible, if you need a resource to prepare a Bible lesson, or if you simply want to know the Bible better, this is one commentary you should have, even if you already own several. Written by respected theologian John Sailhamer, its insights offer valuable, wide-angle perspectives on the central messages of Scripture, and its compact size makes it perfect for school, church, the workplace, and as a travel companion.
Author Biography: John H. Sailhamer was formerly associate professor of Old Testament and semitic languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.
