★ Andersen, Francis I. [ℳ], (AB) 2001. The advanced student and specialist have a treat here, but most pastors will find this 400-page book daunting. There is help in the areas of philology, poetic analysis, structure, textual criticism, and translation. There are relatively few theological conclusions drawn. See the other Andersen-Freedman AB commentaries on Hosea, Amos, and Micah. If you are more academically oriented and plan to spend good time mining this prophecy to its depths, buy this. If your interests are less academic and technical, substitute Bailey or Baker. [JTS 10/02; Int 7/02; ExpTim 6/02; BSac 10/02; Bib 83.3; JSOT 99].
★ Bruckner, James K. Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (NIVAC) 2004. See under Jonah.
★ Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn. From Fear to Faith, 1953. This is a very rich exposition from a Reformed perspective. Those who look to make this purchase will find that it has been republished with his exposition of Psalm 73 under the title, Faith Tried and Triumphant (IVP, 1987). [EvQ 7/54].
★ Patterson, Richard. (WEC) 1993. See under Nahum. Here he builds on his article, “The Psalm of Habakkuk,” in Grace Theological Journal 8 (1987): 163 – 94. This commentary on Habakkuk may be the best researched in the vol. and should be more widely available than it is.
★ Robertson, O. Palmer. (NICOT) 1990. See under Nahum. The more scholarly pastor would probably also want to consider purchasing Roberts below, in addition to these recommended works. See Renz below.
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. [ℳ], (I) 1986. See Nahum above.
☆ Armerding, Carl E. (EBCR) 2008. I am happy that the fine 1985 EBC (a leading commentary of its time) now has extended life in the EBCR (44pp.). On the negative side, there is less revision and update here. On the positive side, for students at least, there is fuller research and discussion of the Hebrew than in a lot of other EBCR contributions. See also his Obadiah and Nahum.
☆ Baker, D. (TOTC) 1988. See Nahum above.
☆ Barker, Kenneth L., and Waylon Bailey. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (NAC) 1999. See Nahum above.
✓ Boadt, Lawrence. ‡ Jeremiah 26 – 52, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Nahum (OTM) 1982. This is well done, by a highly-esteemed, conservatively critical Catholic scholar.
☆ Brown, William P. ‡ Obadiah – Malachi (WestBC) 1996. See Obadiah.
☆ Bruce, F. F. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 2, Ed. Thomas E. McComiskey, 1993. Many students do not realize that Bruce, long the editor of the NICNT series, also commented on OT books in an able, sober way — see “The Legacy of F. F. Bruce” in CT, Nov. 5, 1999. This is not one of my first picks on Habakkuk, but I have recommended the whole set above.
F Callender, Dexter. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Illum).
F Cathcart, Kevin J. ‡ (ICC – new series). See under Nahum.
✓ Clark, David J., and Howard A. Hatton. (UBS) 1989. See Nahum above.
Davidson, A. B. [ℳ], (CBSC) 1896. See Nahum above.
F Dietrich, Walter. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (IECOT) 2015?
Eaton, J. H. ‡ (Torch) 1961. See under Obadiah.
✓ Floyd, Michael H. ‡ Minor Prophets, Part 2 (FOTL) 1999. See Nahum above.
☆ Goldingay, John, and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II (NIBC) 2009. See under Nahum.
✓ Gowan, Donald E. ‡ The Triumph of Faith in Habakkuk, 1976. This useful theological study was published by John Knox Press. Suitable even for a lay readership.
✓ Haak, Robert D. ‡ Habakkuk, 1992. Haak’s revised PhD for the U. of Chicago contains extensive textual and translation notes — essentially a technical commentary — and has received much attention from scholarship. [CBQ 7/93; JBL Fall 93; JTS 4/93; JSS Aut 98; VT 46.3; JSOT 59; BSac 1/95; HS 1993].
F Hartzfeld, David. (Apollos).
✓ Hiebert, Theodore. ‡ (NIB) 1996. His research goes back to a 1984 Harvard dissertation, published as God of My Victory: The Ancient Hymn of Habakkuk 3 (1986).
F Idestrom, Rebecca G. S. (Pentecostal Commentary).
☆ Kaiser, Walter. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (WCC) 1993. See under Micah.
Kleinert, Paul. (Lange) ET 1874.
Legg, John. When We Don’t Understand: God’s Ways with Jonah and Habakkuk (WCS) 1986.
✓ Mack, Russell. Neo-Assyrian Prophecy and the Hebrew Bible, 2011. See Nahum.
Mackay, John L. Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Focus on the Bible) 2008. See under Jonah.
Marbury, E. Obadiah and Habakkuk, 1650. See under Obadiah.
✓ Mason, Rex. ‡ Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel (OT Guides) 1994.
✓ O’Brien, Julia. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (AbOTC) 2004. See under Nahum.
☆ Patterson, Richard. (CorBC) 2008. See under Hosea.
F Prinsloo, Gert T. M. ‡ (HCOT).
☆ Prior, David. Joel, Micah, Habakkuk (BST) 1998. See Joel above.
F Renz, Thomas. (NICOT replacement). This should be a strong contribution. See under Nahum.
☆ Roberts, J. J. M. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (OTL) 1991. See under Nahum.
✓ Smith, Ralph L. ‡ (WBC) 1984. See Micah above.
F Stuart, Douglas. Micah – Malachi (WBC replacement). See under Micah.
✓ Szeles, Maria E. ‡ Habakkuk, Zephaniah (ITC) 1987. [JETS 3/91; Evangel Spr 90; HS 1989].
F Vanderhooft, David. ‡ (Herm). I am not fully convinced it is an accurate report.
✓ Ward, W. H. ‡ (ICC) 1911.
F Warstler, Kevin. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (EEC).
☆ Wiersbe, Warren W. From Worry to Worship, 1983. This popular exposition rivals Lloyd-Jones. Wiersbe is easier reading, while Lloyd-Jones is more penetrating and forceful.
NOTES: (1) Consult the list of works in the above section, The Twelve Minor Prophets. (2) Oskar Dangl, “Habakkuk in Recent Research,” CurBS 9 (2001): 131 – 68. (3) E. Ray Clendenen, “Salvation by Faith or Faithfulness in the Book of Habakkuk?” BBR 24.4 (2014): 505 – 13.
★ Berlin, Adele. ‡ (AB) 1994. One of the three most complete scholarly commentaries available on this Bible book (too much of an expense to recommend to pastors for purchase?). The Jewish author is a shrewd exegete, shows good respect for the text, and treats the final form. She has gained quite a reputation for her analysis of rhetorical devices, particularly parallelism, in the Hebrew Bible. The AB’s literary sensitivity and “close reading” is the perfect complement to Robertson’s theological exposition. Students will also gravitate toward Sweeney, Vlaardingerbroek, and Roberts. Pastors who would prefer an evangelical commentary can replace this recommendation with Bailey. [SwJT Spr 96; JETS 9/98; Int 10/96; CBQ 1/97].
★ Bruckner, James K. Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (NIVAC) 2004. See under Jonah. Other expository helps for the pastor’s study, of which there are fewer on this prophecy, would be Calvin, Craigie, Boice, and Mackay. More critical but well-done are Achtemeier and Brown.
★ Motyer, J. Alec. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 3, Ed. Thomas E. McComiskey, 1998. I have already recommended this set for purchase above. Motyer is a veteran at writing commentaries, and I would argue he has done his best work on the prophetic literature. This is excellent. [BSac 1/99].
★ Patterson, Richard. (WEC) 1993. See under Nahum.
★ Robertson, O. Palmer. (NICOT) 1990. See under Nahum. His 95-page treatment of Zephaniah is especially fine.
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. [ℳ], (I) 1986. See Nahum above.
☆ Baker, D. (TOTC) 1988. See Nahum above. Was Stuart’s favorite in 1990.
☆ Barker, Kenneth L., and Waylon Bailey. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (NAC) 1999. See Nahum above. With over 120 quality pages on this brief prophecy, the well-read Bailey deserves wide use by both students and pastors.
✓ Bennett, Robert A. ‡ (NIB) 1996.
✓ Ben Zvi, E. ‡ A Historical-Critical Study of the Book of Zephaniah, 1991. Contains a lengthy commentary, which reveals the author’s overriding form-critical concerns, and a vast section of exegetical and thematic notes. Published by de Gruyter. [JSOT 58].
Boadt, Lawrence. ‡ Jeremiah 26 – 52, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Nahum (OTM) 1982.
☆ Bridger, Gordon. The Message of Obadiah, Nahum & Zephaniah (BST) 2010. See Obadiah.
☆ Brown, William P. ‡ Obadiah – Malachi (WestBC) 1996. See Obadiah.
F Callender, Dexter. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Illum).
F Cathcart, Kevin J. ‡ (ICC – new series). See under Nahum.
✓ Clark, David J., and Howard A. Hatton. (UBS) 1989. See Nahum above.
✓ Davidson, A. B. [ℳ], (CBSC) 1896. See Nahum above.
F Dietrich, Walter. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (IECOT) 2015?
F Duguid, Iain. Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi (REC).
Eaton, J. H. ‡ (Torch) 1961. See under Obadiah.
✓ Floyd, Michael H. ‡ Minor Prophets, Part 2 (FOTL) 1999. See Nahum above.
☆ Goldingay, John, and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II (NIBC) 2009. See under Nahum.
✓ House, Paul R. Zephaniah: A Prophetic Drama, 1988. This dissertation for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary includes a brief commentary. The evangelical author also has capable works on 1 & 2 Kings and Lamentations and a full-length OT Theology. [JBL Fall 00; CBQ 7/90; Int 10/90; Chm 103.4].
F Idestrom, Rebecca G. S. (Pentecostal Commentary).
☆ Kaiser, Walter. (WCC) 1993. See under Micah.
✓ Kapelrud, A. ‡ The Message of the Prophet Zephaniah, 1975.
✓ Kleinert, Paul. (Lange) ET 1874.
F Luter, Boyd. (Apollos).
✓ Mack, Russell. Neo-Assyrian Prophecy and the Hebrew Bible, 2011. See Nahum.
Mackay, John L. Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Focus on the Bible) 2008. See under Jonah.
✓ Mason, Rex. ‡ Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Joel (OT Guides) 1994.
✓ O’Brien, Julia. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (AbOTC) 2004. See under Nahum.
☆ Patterson, Richard. (CorBC) 2008. See under Hosea.
F Renz, Thomas. (NICOT replacement). See under Nahum.
☆ Roberts, J. J. M. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (OTL) 1991. See under Nahum.
✓ Ryou, Daniel Hojoon. ‡ Zephaniah’s Oracles against the Nations: A Synchronic and Diachronic Study of Zephaniah 2:1 – 3:8, 1995. A research for the Free University of Amsterdam.
✓ Smith, J. H. P. ‡ (ICC) 1911.
✓ Smith, Ralph L. ‡ (WBC) 1984. See Micah above.
F Stuart, Douglas. Micah – Malachi (WBC replacement). See under Micah.
✓ Sweeney, Marvin A. ‡ (Herm) 2003. The author teaches at Claremont. This is an exceedingly thorough and rigorous text-critical and (newer style) form-critical analysis, the conclusions of which can be compared with Floyd and Ben Zvi above. More conservative readers will like his arguments for an earlier, pre-exilic dating of the prophecy (with little secondary material). For a more diachronic approach, this is now the authoritative commentary to consult (but cf. Vlaardingerbroek). Berlin’s more literary reading complements this nicely. [JTS 10/04; CBQ 10/04; JSOT 28.5; JETS 12/04; Int 10/05; VT 57.1; JNES 7/08; CurTM 6/05; RBL; JHebS (Watts)].
✓ Szeles, Maria E. ‡ Habakkuk, Zephaniah (ITC) 1987. [JETS 3/91; HS 1989].
✓ Vlaardingerbroek, Johannes. ‡ (HCOT) ET 1999. This 222-page translation from the Dutch is called “a splendid tool” by Mason [JSOT 89]. The thorough exegesis provided here will be consulted by students of the prophets for decades to come. Vlaardingerbroek rivals Berlin’s work in quality and depth, though the exegetical method has a different focus (more historical-critical), and he is not as practiced a literary critic as she. [RelSRev 4/00].
☆ Walker, Larry. (EBCR) 2008. I have not used this 45-page commentary much but am glad there is a revised and updated work. Walker’s EBC was not considered one of the best in the 1985 EBC, but he is a capable scholar and has done a thorough rewrite here, with many notes on the Hebrew. Worth having.
F Warstler, Kevin. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (EEC).
NOTES: (1) Consult the list of works in the above section, The Twelve Minor Prophets. (2) For a review-essay on scholarship, appearing prior to his commentary, see Marvin A. Sweeney, “Zephaniah: A Paradigm for the study of the Prophetic Books,” CurBS 7 (1999): 119 – 45.
★ Boda, Mark J. Haggai, Zechariah (NIVAC) 2004. A well researched exposition by a Westminster Seminary graduate who did a Cambridge PhD on Zechariah. Boda teaches at McMaster University and is considered a leading scholar on this literature. After an 84-page Introduction, he gives Haggai about 90pp. and Zechariah about 370pp. He is not as courageous as I wish he were on the higher critical issue of a divided Zechariah. Both exegetically and theologically, this work is deeply satisfying; a little less satisfying is his guidance in application. For additional help in discerning the contemporary relevance of these books, one could look up the BST vols., or from the more critical side, Achtemeier and Brown. [CTJ 4/08]. Students will gladly use another Boda work too: Haggai and Zechariah Research: A Bibliographic Survey (2003) [BL 2005; RelSRev 1/05; VT 55.3; ExpTim 11/04].
★ Fyall, Robert. The Message of Ezra and Haggai (BST) 2010. See Ezra. This is an excellent help to expositors, written by a man with a good theological head and an ability to probe the relevance of the Bible’s message today (46pp.). He has repeatedly preached on Haggai, and that makes all the difference.
★ Motyer, J. Alec. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 3, Ed. Thomas E. McComiskey, 1998. I have already recommended the set for purchase above. This is as valuable as Verhoef and is a little briefer. Motyer instinctively drives to the heart of a passage and its theological message. He adopts a strongly conservative stance on critical issues. See Zephaniah.
★ Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi (Apollos) 2015. The author lectures at Morling College in Australia, having previously pastored Baptist churches in Sydney and Dublin. His doctoral research was on Zechariah (see under Zechariah). Petterson’s commentary is of good length (over 400pp.) and shows him to be an adept exegete. After 20pp. of General Introduction, situating the prophets in their historical, canonical, and biblical-theological contexts, Haggai receives a 45-page treatment, with a fresh translation, notes on the text (textual critical, lexical, and syntactical), discussion of the form and structure, exegetical comment, and theological explanation. This Apollos vol. benefits both students and pastors, who will appreciate the references to the NT. Note to students: the older Verhoef is far more extensive (150pp.) than Petterson and should not be missed.
★ Taylor, Richard A., and E. Ray Clendenen. Haggai, Malachi (NAC) 2004. A vol. so thoroughly researched and well-done that one may call it a good replacement for Verhoef’s conservative exegesis. Both Taylor’s “Haggai” and Clendenen’s slightly less technical “Malachi” are competent and full (496pp. total). There are differences in hermeneutical approach between these two. While Taylor pursues a traditional grammatico-historical exegesis, long taught at his own Dallas Seminary, Clendenen practices discourse-analysis. Boda and Motyer provide more biblical theological reflection than Taylor. Yes, there is a dispensational orientation here, but it is not so noticeable. [CBQ 7/05; JETS 9/05; BSac 7/06; SwJT Fall 04].
✓ Achtemeier, Elizabeth. [ℳ], (I) 1986. See Nahum above.
Alden, Robert L. (EBC) 1985. Fine work from a well-known evangelical who taught at Denver Seminary, now with the Lord. See Merrill’s EBCR below.
☆ Baldwin, Joyce G. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (retired TOTC) 1972. This excellent work used to be the first choice for pastors, and it remains a smart purchase. In 2010 I wrote of the need for an updated TOTC after Meyers, Petersen, Verhoef, and Wolff. Now see the Hill replacement.
Barnes, W. E. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (CBSC) 1917.
☆ Bentley, Michael. Building for God’s Glory (WCS on Haggai and Zechariah) 1989.
✓ Boda, Mark, and Michael Floyd, eds. Tradition in Transition: Haggai and Zechariah 1 – 8 in the Trajectory of Hebrew Theology, 2008. [CBQ 1/10; BL 2010; RelSRev 3/11].
☆ Brown, William P. ‡ Obadiah – Malachi (WestBC) 1996. See Obadiah.
✓ Clark, David J., and Howard A. Hatton. A Handbook on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (UBS) 2002. [CBQ 10/04].
F Coggins, Richard. ‡ (BBC). I anticipate a vol. on Haggai – Malachi. Worth noting, too, is his brief Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (1987) in OT Guides.
F Cook, Stephen. ‡ Haggai & Zechariah (Illum).
F Coover-Cox, Dorian, and Daniel Lowery. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EEC).
✓ Driver, Samuel R. ‡ (Century Bible) 1906. See Nahum above.
☆ Duguid, Iain M. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EPSC) 2010. I am in a quandary because I want to recommend that pastors purchase this rich, succinct theological exposition (255pp.). It is built on exegetical decisions (as far as I have checked) with which I agree all the way down the line. The problem is that, with a larger font and clearly written on a popular level, the book doesn’t have enough substance to list for $29.50, even in hb. Why not offer us this really good book in pb for $19.95? Unless they look closely, students are likely to miss the fact that Duguid offers his own (fine) translation of the Hebrew. See the author’s other works on Genesis, Ezekiel, Ruth & Esther, and Daniel.
F Duguid, Iain. Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi (REC).
✓ Floyd, Michael H. ‡ Minor Prophets, Part 2 (FOTL) 1999. See Nahum above.
☆ Goldingay, John, and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II (NIBC) 2009. See under Nahum.
F Hanson, Paul D. ‡ (Herm).
☆ Hill, Andrew. (CorBC) 2008. See under Hosea.
☆ Hill, Andrew. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (TOTC replacement) 2012. The author, a prof at Wheaton, builds upon his earlier work in both CorBC (on all three prophets) and AB (on Malachi). He gives special attention to intertextual relationships (p.12), and this compact commentary (about 350pp.) contains much fine exegesis and some theological interpretation. Like Baldwin, it includes more detail (e.g. discussion of Hebrew) than some other TOTC, and lay readers may struggle to follow it at points. Baldwin is still of great value, but Hill has the benefit of drawing on four decades of more recent research. (E.g. Hill points to the excellent scholarship on Zechariah’s prologue that “seeks to tie both halves of Zechariah together lexically, thematically, and theologically, by relating the message . . . to the generalized call to repentance voiced in the earlier prophets in Zechariah 1:4” [p.112].) Having both Tyndale vols. is not a bad idea. [Chm Win 13].
F Jacobs, Mignon. Haggai, Malachi (NICOT replacement).
✓ Jones, D. R. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Torch Bible Commentary) 1962. A brief, critical work of value years ago.
☆ Kaiser, Walter. (WCC) 1993. See under Micah.
✓ Kessler, John. The Book of Haggai: Prophecy and Society in Early Persian Yehud, 2002. A very large, expert, and more conservative study of Haggai’s prophecy, taken as a reproclamation of past traditions or Scriptures. This vol. contains much of the material one would expect in a commentary. [JSOT 27.5; VT 54.4].
F Koopmans, William Th. ‡ (HCOT).
F Luter, Boyd. (Apollos).
☆ Mackay, John L. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: God’s Restored People, 1994. Published by Christian Focus, this was until recently (see Duguid) about the best popular-level exposition from the Reformed side. I find it especially useful for Zechariah.
✓ March, W. Eugene. ‡ (NIB) 1996.
✓ Mason, R. A. ‡ (CBC) 1977. Covers through Malachi. Mason has been a leading scholar on Zechariah since his groundbreaking dissertation, “The Use of Earlier Biblical Material in Zechariah 9 – 14: A Study in Inner Biblical Exegesis” (London, 1973), which has recently seen publication (see Boda-Floyd under Zechariah).
✓ Meadowcroft, Tim. Haggai (Read) 2006. This exceedingly full exegesis (259pp.) has much to offer: historical-critical investigation (form, redaction, and reception history), a literary reading, discourse analysis, and theology. There are also forays into speech-act theory and contemporary application. Needless to say, there is a good mix of hermeneutics to try to meld. Discourse analysis features most prominently. He treats the prophecy as a unity. Meadowcroft teaches at Bible College of New Zealand. [CBQ 4/09; BL 2008; RelSRev 12/09].
☆ Merrill, Eugene H. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (intended for WEC?) 1994. A careful, dependable work that can certainly be appreciated by all evangelicals. Dispensationalists interpreting Zechariah will find it to be especially serviceable. Because it is thorough and includes Hebrew exegesis, and because there are fewer conservative scholarly works on these books, preachers and students do well to consult Merrill, even buy it. It went o/p with Moody but has been reprinted by Biblical Studies Press. [BSac 7/96].
☆ Merrill, Eugene H. (EBCR) 2008. This replaces Alden’s contribution to the old EBC and is a fine summary of his earlier dependable work (22pp.).
☆ Meyers, Carol L., and Eric M. Meyers. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah 1 – 8 (AB) 1988. This vol., which was very well received by the scholarly world, is moderately critical, helpful for philological details, and especially valuable for historical background. The Meyers couple, on faculty at Duke, provide an excellent commentary on Haggai, and the Zechariah treatment is even fuller and more detailed — perhaps more critical, too. Compare this vol. with Petersen. The serious drawback, from the pastor’s perspective at least, is that Meyers-Meyers and Petersen both have little to say theologically. [JBL 107.3, 114.3].
Mitchell, H. G. ‡ (ICC) 1912.
Moore, Thomas V. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (GS) 1856. A warm Reformed exposition from the 19th century, but not one of the best in the series. Still in print. For pastors, not students.
✓ O’Brien, Julia. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (AbOTC) 2004. See under Nahum.
Perowne, T. T. Haggai and Zechariah (CBSC) 1888, 2nd ed. 1901. Fairly conservative work by a leading scholar of that day that was replaced by Barnes.
☆ Petersen, David L. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah 1 – 8 (OTL) 1984. Moderately critical, this commentary has many fine points. It repays close study, but read with discernment. Not dissimilar in its approach and conclusions to the Meyers’s work. OTL, AB, and ContC are the leading critical exegeses available in English. See Zechariah. [JBL 105.4].
✓ Redditt, Paul L. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (NCB) 1995. This commentary covers these Bible books phrase-by-phrase in about 220pp. Redditt is professor emeritus at Georgetown College (KY), and he strongly prefers the diachronic approach (positing multiple redactions) to the newer literary critical methods. Worth consulting for exegesis, but I doubt you will find it stimulating. [CBQ 7/96; JETS 6/97; JSS Spr 97; VT 47.1; RTR 1/97; HS 1997; CRBR 1996; RBL].
F Shelley, Patricia. (BCBC).
✓ Smith, Ralph L. ‡ (WBC) 1984. See Micah above.
F Stuart, Douglas. Micah – Malachi (WBC replacement). See under Micah.
✓ Stuhlmueller, C. ‡ Haggai and Zechariah (ITC) 1988. Along with Brueggemann’s Jeremiah, one of the best in the series, even though it is somewhat brief (165pp.). [Evangel Win 89].
✓ Thomas, D. Winton. “The Book of Haggai — Exegesis” (IB) 1956. Because the author was an excellent philologist, this is still worthwhile.
✓ Tollington, Janet. ‡ Tradition and Innovation in Haggai and Zechariah 1 – 8 (JSOTSup) 1993. An Oxford dissertation.
☆ Verhoef, Pieter A. Haggai, Malachi (NICOT) 1987. This fine commentary, from a professor emeritus at Stellenbosch, was at the time a major addition to our literature on these Bible books. It remains significant because of its depth: 150pp. on Haggai, and 200pp. on Malachi. One only wished he had had opportunity to interact with Petersen’s 1984 work. Written at a higher scholarly level than most of the other older NICOT vols., Verhoef’s work (Motyer’s too) complemented Baldwin well. The advanced student and scholarly pastor will also be interested in Meyers, Petersen, and Wolff. Verhoef is to be replaced; see Jacobs above. This had been on the recommended purchase list, but now see Petterson. [WTJ Spr 89; JETS 12/88; Them 4/88; ExpTim 3/88; HS 1987].
F Wöhrle, Jakob. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah 1 – 8 (IECOT).
✓ Wolff, H. W. ‡ (ContC) ET 1988. Certainly a leading critical exegesis for students to consult. As one might expect from this scholar, Wolff pays close attention to what he perceives as a complicated compositional history with three “growth-rings” (p.18). He pursues a form-critical and tradition history approach with theological goals. See his other vols. under Hosea, Joel-Amos, Obadiah-Jonah, and Micah.
NOTES: (1) Consult the list of works in the above section, The Twelve Minor Prophets. (2) Mark Boda, “Majoring on the Minors: Recent Research on Haggai and Zechariah,” CBR 2.1 (2003): 33 – 68.
★ Baldwin, Joyce G. (retired TOTC) 1972. See Haggai above. Back in 1999 Wolters said, “For the preacher, the best current scholarly commentary in English is probably the little jewel by . . . Baldwin,” despite her “rather debatable overall literary structure” for the whole book of Zechariah [BSB 9/99]. While we long had Verhoef’s erudite work on Haggai and Malachi to complement Baldwin, we sadly lacked an in-depth, evangelical work on Zechariah. Merrill and McComiskey came along and were a good help, then accompanied by Klein, but students have looked for something more thorough. We certainly have it now in Boda’s NICOT! Students needing technical help should also go find Wolters, Meyers-Meyers, and Petersen in the library.
★ Boda, Mark J. The Book of Zechariah (NICOT) 2015. Many thanks to Eerdmans for allowing me a pre-publication look at this magnificent, comprehensive commentary (approx. 800pp.)! Many pastors will be happy enough with Boda’s extensive NIVAC on Zechariah (370 of 540pp.), but this NICOT is easily the studious pastor’s first choice for an exegesis. With the combination of Boda and Wolters — they will dominate the field for many years to come — Zechariah is probably better served by scholarly evangelical commentaries than any other OT book. Boda has studied and preached upon the prophet for 25 years, and it shows. (A page and half of the bibliography are his own publications.) There is painstaking textual work, lexical research, discussion of historical and religious background, compositional history, literary and structural analysis, restrained form criticism, thorough exegesis, and biblical-theological exposition. He finds evidence of editorial shaping of autobiographical accounts, original vision reports, and oracle collections extending over decades. At the same time as he recognizes distinctions between the styles of chs. 1 – 8 and 9 – 14, he adduces many strong reasons for his reading Zechariah as a single book. He shows interest in canonical shaping (literary links to Haggai and Malachi) and suggests that chs. 9 – 14 were joined to an already integrated Haggai 1 – Zech 8 work (date of the final-form in mid- to late-fifth century). Boda is a remarkably clear writer, even when treating technical matters.
★ Boda, Mark J. Haggai, Zechariah (NIVAC) 2004. See Haggai above. Note Boda’s NICOT above.
★ Klein, George L. Zechariah (NAC) 2008. This exegesis of nearly 450pp. is more extensive and contains more substantive research than most other vols. in the series. The treatment of the Hebrew is careful and workmanlike. The theological approach is that of moderate or progressive dispensationalism. Citing some of Blaising’s work, Klein argues that “it remains preferable to view biblical references to ‘Israel’ as applying to national Israel, not the Church” (p.67). Reformed students of biblical prophecy will prefer Boda, Wolters, Webb, and McComiskey at such points of interpretation where Klein marks a hard distinction between the OT and the NT people of God. Leaving aside eschatology, this is a very useful companion in walking through the text. [RelSRev 9/09].
★ McComiskey, Thomas E. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 3, Ed. McComiskey, 1998. Up to the same standard of excellence found in the Hosea contribution. This whole set has been recommended for purchase above. This is a dependable exegesis with solid theology, now outstripped in scholarship by Wolters and Boda.
★ Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi (Apollos) 2015. See Haggai. The 210pp. on Zechariah are the best segment of the work. Petterson’s doctoral research, Behold Your King [CBQ 1/11; JTS 10/10; JSOT 37.5; VT 61.4; RelSRev 9/13], focused upon the Davidic hope in Zechariah’s prophecy, and he argued for thematic unity (chs. 1 – 8 with 9 – 14) in that oft-divided book. See his summary article in JSOT 35.2 (2010). This is a very well-informed exegesis of Zechariah for pastors, who might shy away from the marvelously detailed vols. by Wolters and Boda (NICOT).
★ Webb, Barry G. (BST) 2003. An exposition which includes careful, insightful exegesis and especially rich biblical theological reflection — excellent for evangelical pastors (170pp.). Webb also produced the fine vol. on Isaiah in the same series. [JSOT 28.5; Chm Win 10].
Achtemeier, Elizabeth. [ℳ], (I) 1986. See Nahum above.
☆ Barker, Kenneth L. (EBCR) 2008. This revision of EBC (1985) is dispensationally oriented, but still valuable to others who do not take that stance. Barker is well-trained in Semitics (Dropsie PhD) and highly respected in evangelical circles, notably for his work as General Editor of the NIV Study Bible. He produced the helpful notes on this book for the NIV Study Bible (1985, rev. 2002). His work here in EBCR is about 90pp.
✓ Barnes, W. E. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (CBSC) 1917.
Baron, David. 3rd ed. 1919. A substantial exposition, repeatedly reprinted by various publishers. Baron was a converted Jew and was strongly premillennial.
☆ Bentley, Michael. Building for God’s Glory (WCS on Haggai & Zechariah) 1989. For the expositor.
✓ Boda, Mark J., and Michael H. Floyd, eds. [ℳ], Bringing Out the Treasure: Inner Biblical Allusion in Zechariah 9 – 14 (JSOTSup) 2003. Includes the publication of Mason’s groundbreaking PhD, noted above under Haggai. [RelSRev 10/04].
✓ Boda, Mark, and Michael Floyd, eds. [ℳ], Tradition in Transition: Haggai and Zechariah 1 – 8 in the Trajectory of Hebrew Theology, 2008. Invaluable essays, especially on Zechariah. [CBQ 1/10; BL 2010; RelSRev 3/11].
☆ Brown, William P. ‡ Obadiah – Malachi (WestBC) 1996. See Obadiah.
✓ Clark, David J., and Howard A. Hatton. A Handbook on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (UBS) 2002. [CBQ 10/04].
F Coggins, Richard. ‡ (BBC). I anticipate a vol. on Haggai – Malachi.
✓ Conrad, Edgar W. ‡ Zechariah (Read) 1999. At points Conrad is for me like a breath of fresh air. Reading Zechariah as a whole, instead of as a divided book, makes fresh insights possible. I am not saying he thinks the book is totally cohesive, however. Conrad uses literary methods like intertextuality in mainly unobjectionable ways. Some evangelical scholars will applaud Conrad’s methods and conclusions; all can learn from them. About 220pp. [JSOT 89; CBQ 7/00; Int 1/00; OTA 2/00; RelSRev 1/00].
F Cook, Stephen. ‡ Haggai & Zechariah (Illum).
F Coover-Cox, Dorian, and Daniel Lowery. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EEC).
✓ Curtis, Byron G. Up the Steep and Stony Road: The Book of Zechariah in Social Location Trajectory Analysis, 2006. A Westminster Seminary dissertation defending both the unity of the prophecy and authorship by the historical Zechariah. I confess I am not clear on his hermeneutical method. [CBQ 1/08].
☆ Duguid, Iain M. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EPSC) 2010. See under Haggai.
Feinberg, Charles L. God Remembers, 4th ed. 1979. Dispensationalists always gravitate toward the apocalyptic literature (Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation). This commentary is valuable to those sharing their perspective, but Reformed interpreters will not be able to agree with this scholar’s approach. Eschatology is the thrust here: Feinberg is militantly dispensational, strictly separating God’s program for Jews and Gentiles. He does, however, helpfully include many rabbinic quotes from Kimḥi and others. Barker, Merrill, and Klein are more moderate from a similar theological stance.
✓ Floyd, Michael H. ‡ Minor Prophets, Part 2 (FOTL) 1999. See Nahum above.
Goldingay, John, and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II (NIBC) 2009. See under Nahum. Scalise treats the last two prophets, Zechariah and Malachi, in this vol.
Gregory, Bryan R. Looking for God in an Age of Discouragement: The Gospel According to Zechariah (GAOT) 2010. Praised by Boda. I’ve not seen it.
F Hanson, Paul D. ‡ (Herm).
☆ Hill, Andrew. (CorBC) 2008. See under Hosea.
☆ Hill, Andrew. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (TOTC replacement) 2012. See Haggai. He seemed to me a bit unclear on 6:9 – 15: is the builder “the one who sprouts out of Joshua” (p.177) or Joshua (180)?
✓ Jones, D. R. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Torch Bible Commentary) 1962.
☆ Kaiser, Walter. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (WCC) 1993. See under Micah. This is a suggestive, full (135-page) exposition of this prophet; the approach is premillennial.
☆ Kline, Meredith G. Glory in Our Midst: A Biblical-Theological Reading of Zechariah’s Night Visions, 2001. A full, vigorous theological exposition (300pp.) published by Wipf & Stock. I regret I have had little opportunity to use this. He is so creative that readers often find him both stimulating and mystifying (how did he come up with that?).
F Lessing, R. Reed. (Concord).
Leupold, H. C. 1956. A dated, fairly thorough commentary, offering a traditional, conservative Lutheran interpretation (amillennial perspective).
F Luter, Boyd. (Apollos).
☆ Mackay, John L. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: God’s Restored People, 1994. See under Haggai.
✓ Mason, R. A. ‡ (CBC) 1977. See under Haggai.
☆ Merrill, Eugene H. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (intended for WEC?) 1994. See under Haggai. This has a dispensational orientation; Merrill is among the best, most judicious OT scholars in that camp. His work treats the Hebrew and is of greater value than Barker or Feinberg from that perspective. Many pastors would want to purchase this one; I did.
☆ Meyers, Carol L., and Eric M. Meyers. ‡ (AB) 2 vols., 1987 – 93. See Haggai above. The second vol. is astonishingly full; Zechariah 9 – 14 runs to 552pp.! They do not hold to the unity of Zechariah, but do take a more conservative approach to the text than many critics. There is an immense amount of learning in this set. Among critical commentaries on Zechariah, this is the first I reach for, if I’m not time-pressed. One caveat, though: pastors interested in theology will find that both the AB and OTL sets read the book more as political document — answering scholars’ questions about the socio-political context — and may disappoint in their theological discussion. This deficiency seems glaring with the arrival of Boda’s NICOT. [JBL 114.3].
Mitchell, H. G. ‡ (ICC) 1912.
☆ Moore, Thomas V. (GS) 1856. See Haggai above.
✓ O’Brien, Julia. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (AbOTC) 2004. See under Nahum.
✓ Ollenberger, Ben C. [ℳ], (NIB) 1996.
Perowne, T. T. Haggai and Zechariah (CBSC) 1888, 2nd ed. 1901. Fairly conservative work by a leading scholar of that day that was replaced by Barnes.
☆ Petersen, David L. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah 1 – 8 (OTL) 1984; Zechariah 9 – 14 and Malachi (OTL) 1995. See Haggai above. He does not hold to the unity of Zechariah. The pastor wanting to build a first-rate exegetical library might purchase the OTL set for its careful form-critical treatment and as a handier guide than AB. The Meyers’s AB set is much fuller and marginally more useful for certain kinds of work with the text. [Int 1/97; CBQ 7/96; JTS 10/96; JETS 6/97; JSS Spr 97; JTS 10/96; JSOT 76; SwJT, Sum 98; BSac 4/96].
☆ Phillips, Richard D. (REC) 2007. A well-done example of faithful, Christ-centered expository preaching. There is a lot of material here (351pp.). See REC in the Commentary Series section, and note also Phillips’s other REC on Hebrews. [JETS 9/08].
✓ Redditt, Paul L. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (NCB) 1995. See Haggai above.
✓ Redditt, Paul L. ‡ Zechariah 9 – 14 (IECOT) 2012. The author, now retired from Georgetown College (KY), updates and deepens his earlier NCB research. He remains convinced that discerning redactional layers is key to understanding the text; the chapters grew up around “four collections of traditional eschatological hope (9:1 – 17; 10:3b – 12; 12:1 – 4a, 5, 8 – 9; and 14:1 – 13, 14b – 21).” He also briefly discusses the material synchronically, as its relates to the whole of The Twelve (as a single work). Curiously, I found that an “Al Wolters” (see below) on Amazon panned the work as a “rehash” with “many misprints and philological mistakes.” [BBR 24.2; CBQ 7/13; VT 63.4; RevExp 2/14; RelSRev 9/13].
F Shelley, Patricia. (BCBC).
✓ Smith, Ralph L. ‡ (WBC) 1984. See Micah above. He believes Zechariah 9 – 14 to be a later gloss.
✓ Stead, Michael R. The Intertextuality of Zechariah 1 – 8, 2009. [JSS Aut 11; VT 61.3; RelSRev 6/11].
F Stuart, Douglas. Micah – Malachi (WBC replacement). See under Micah. Stuart had been slated to do the NICOT vol. on Zechariah, but that research will go into WBC.
✓ Stuhlmueller, C. ‡ Haggai and Zechariah (ITC) 1988.
✓ Thomas, D. Winton. “The Book of Zechariah 1 – 8, Exegesis” (IB) 1956. Because the author was an excellent philologist, this is still worthwhile.
✓ Tiemeyer, Lena-Sofia. ‡ Zechariah and His Visions, 2015. [JSOT 39.5].
Unger, Merrill. 1963. A dispensational exposition, based on the Hebrew.
✓ Wenzel, Heiko. Reading Zechariah with Zechariah 1:1 – 6 as the Introduction to the Entire Book, 2011. Quite stimulating, a Wheaton PhD.
F Wöhrle, Jakob. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah 1 – 8 (IECOT).
✓ Wolters, Al. (HCOT) 2014. Simply put, this is excellent through and through. Wolters worked on the prophecy for well over two decades, and he covers pretty much everything. As the jacket blurb says, the commentary makes several notable contributions: “close attention to philological detail, with a special focus on textual criticism, lexical semantics, and literary wordplay;” treatment of the entire history of interpretation, including rabbinics; intertextual studies; Christian theological interpretation; and a new proposal regarding composition. He dispenses with the usual two-part division and argues that the prophecy “consists instead of three independent and quite different parts, each of which is attributable to the prophet after whom the book is named.” Warning: this is a dense work (473pp.). If only the price were not $130 in pb! See also “Confessional Criticism and the Night Visions of Zechariah” in Renewing Biblical Interpretation, Scripture and Hermeneutics, Bartholomew et al., eds., 2000.
✓ Wright, C. H. H. Zechariah and His Prophecies, 1879. Fascinating for the student of Zechariah. These were the Bampton Lectures of 1878 and go into great depth (about 600pp.). This is a true classic in the history of interpretation and for generations was a favorite among conservatives. Reprinted by Klock & Klock in 1980.
NOTES: (1) Consult the list of works in the above section, The Twelve Minor Prophets. (2) See Michael Floyd’s “Zechariah and Changing Views of Second Temple Judaism in Recent Commentaries,” RelSRev 25.3 (1999): 257 – 263. (3) Mark Boda, “Majoring on the Minors: Recent Research on Haggai and Zechariah,” CBR 2.1 (2003): 33 – 68.
★ Adam, Peter. (BST) 2013. This Australian minister knows Malachi well, having preached and taught on the book for decades. His biblical theological approach helps make the exposition Christ-centered and edifying. Preachers will be instructed by his emphasis on corporate, as opposed to individual, application of the message. Simply put, this BST represents healthy, robust preaching. Compared with some other contributions to the series, however, there is less interaction with the best current scholarship. As Clendenen notes [Them 11/14], this presents a problem at 2:16 where Adam follows the 1984 NIV (cf. ESV and 2011 NIV).
★ Baker, David W. Joel, Obadiah, Malachi (NIVAC) 2006. This meets a real need, since we lack a good selection of strong expositions which offer guidance in applying Malachi today (105pp. on Malachi). I missed not having any discussion of tithing, which inevitably comes up for discussion in the churches. See under Joel.
★ Hill, Andrew. (AB) 1998. A full-length, satisfying commentary from an evangelical perspective — not really expected in AB, which is now more ecumenical than we thought. (Hill came to the attention of AB’s editor, David Noel Freedman, through doctoral studies at Michigan.) The best commentary on the book for exegetical work (because fullest, 425pp.), though compare with Stuart and Verhoef. There is more theological reflection here than in most other AB vols. Advanced students interested in the finer points of philology and grammar may be disappointed by Hill’s discussion in places; see Jack Collins’s review in TJ Fall 00. [BL 1999; EvQ 4/00; JBL Win 99; JTS 10/99; Bib 81.1; Int 4/99; AsTJ Fall 99; JR 10/99; RBL; DenvJ]. For a distillation of this work, see Hill’s TOTC and CorBC below.
★ Petterson, Anthony R. Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi (Apollos) 2015. See under Haggai. Though not as strong as his Zechariah section, Malachi is well done in 85pp.
★ Stuart, Douglas. The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Vol. 3, Ed. Thomas E. McComiskey, 1998. This set is already recommended for purchase above. Stuart’s handling of the Hebrew is accurate and reliable.
★ Taylor, Richard A., and E. Ray Clendenen. Haggai, Malachi (NAC) 2004. See under Haggai.
✓ Achtemeier, Elizabeth. [ℳ], (I) 1986. See Nahum above.
Alden, Robert L. (EBC) 1985. See under Haggai.
☆ Baldwin, Joyce G. (retired TOTC) 1972. See Haggai above.
Barnes, W. E. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (CBSC) 1917.
☆ Benton, John. Losing Touch with the Living God (WCS) 1985.
☆ Brown, William P. ‡ Obadiah – Malachi (WestBC) 1996. See Obadiah.
✓ Clark, David J., and Howard A. Hatton. A Handbook on Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi (UBS) 2002. [CBQ 10/04].
F Coggins, Richard. ‡ (BBC). I anticipate a vol. on Haggai – Malachi.
F Coover-Cox, Dorian, and Daniel Lowery. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EEC).
☆ Duguid, Iain M. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (EPSC) 2010. See under Haggai. It is worth noting that Duguid handles the difficult divorce text very well and succinctly.
F Duguid, Iain. Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi (REC).
☆ Eddinger, Terry W. Malachi: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text (BHHB) 2012. Those looking for an aid in translating the text and sorting out lexical forms and the grammar can pick up Eddinger. It would have been advantageous for him to use BHQ instead of BHS. [JSOT 39.5; RelSRev 6/13].
✓ Floyd, Michael H. ‡ Minor Prophets, Part 2 (FOTL) 1999. See Nahum above.
✓ Glazier-McDonald, Beth. ‡ Malachi: The Divine Messenger, 1987. This is a very important technical commentary published by Scholars Press which students should certainly consult. [JBL Spr 89].
Goldingay, John, and Pamela Scalise. Minor Prophets II (NIBC) 2009. See under Nahum. Scalise treats the last two prophets, Zechariah and Malachi, in this vol.
F Hanson, Paul D. ‡ (Herm).
☆ Hill, Andrew. (CorBC) 2008. Slightly updates and popularizes the in-depth commentary in his AB work. See under Hosea.
☆ Hill, Andrew. Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi (TOTC replacement) 2012. See Haggai, as well as his CorBC and AB entries above.
✓ Hugenberger, Gordon P. Marriage as a Covenant, 1994. Not a commentary. This is a sterling dissertation, published by Brill and then by Baker. Hugenberger focuses upon the Malachi 2 text but treats other Scriptures as well. This work is of interest to ethicists as well as OT exegetes. [JBL Sum 95; VT 46.3]. I am convinced by such scholars as Glazier-McDonald, Hugenberger, and Stuart that the Hebrew of 2:16 (backed by a correct interpretation of the LXX) is best read as a conditional sentence: “if one, hating [his wife], divorces . . . he covers his clothes with violence/crime” (cf. NIV 2011).
F Jacobs, Mignon. Haggai, Malachi (NICOT replacement).
☆ Kaiser, Walter C. Malachi: God’s Unchanging Love, 1984. With an analysis of the MT, the exposition is full, readable, and well-researched. Kaiser is concerned to discuss the theological issues and their contemporary relevance. He has a surprising bonus; Appendix B is entitled “The Usefulness of Biblical Commentaries for Preaching and Bible Study.” I consider this pb more useful than Kaiser’s WCC on Malachi below. The student prefers to work with this commentary because of the Hebrew. Preachers who are pressed for time will be tempted to opt for the Communicator’s Commentary. [JETS 6/85].
☆ Kaiser, Walter. Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (WCC) 1993. See Micah.
F Körting, Corinna. ‡ (Illum).
✓ Jones, D. R. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Torch Bible Commentary) 1962.
☆ Mackay, John L. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi: God’s Restored People, 1994. See Haggai.
✓ Mason, R. A. ‡ (CBC) 1977.
☆ Merrill, Eugene H. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (intended for WEC?) 1994. See Haggai and Zechariah above.
☆ Merrill, Eugene H. (EBCR) 2008. There are few good evangelical works to compete with this for brevity (27pp.). Students should mainly use the fuller work of 1994.
Moore, Thomas V. (GS) 1856. See Haggai above.
☆ Morgan, G. Campbell. Malachi’s Message for Today, 1972 reprint. A book of messages, by one of the 20th century’s greatest Bible expositors, formerly titled Wherein Have We Robbed God? It remains very suggestive and well worth buying, if you can find it s/h. See Hosea above.
✓ O’Brien, Julia. ‡ Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (AbOTC) 2004. See under Nahum.
Ogden, G. S., and R. R. Deutsch. ‡ Joel and Malachi (ITC) 1987.
☆ Petersen, David L. ‡ (OTL) 1995. See Zechariah above.
✓ Redditt, Paul L. ‡ Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (NCB) 1995. See Haggai above.
F Ross, Allen P. Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis, 2016.
F Schart, Aaron. ‡ (IECOT).
✓ Schuller, Eileen M. ‡ (NIB) 1996.
F Shelley, Patricia. (BCBC).
✓ Smith, J. H. P. ‡ (ICC) 1912.
✓ Smith, Ralph L. ‡ (WBC) 1984. See Micah above.
✓ Snyman, S. D. (Fanie). ‡ (HCOT) 2015. A well-rounded, major critical work on the Hebrew (192pp.), building on a more popular 1995 Afrikaans commentary. The author has worked on Malachi for nearly 30 years, finds “a mixture of genres . . . in each of the six units” (p.10), discusses antitheses in the prophecy, and has a healthy interest in the theology of the text. As usual with HCOT, the bibliographies are valuable.
F Stuart, Douglas. Micah – Malachi (WBC replacement). See under Micah.
☆ Verhoef, Pieter A. (NICOT) 1987. See Haggai above. Though this vol. began to have a somewhat dated feel, the rigorous exegesis and theological reflection long kept it on the recommended list. In my opinion, he does not get the crux at 2:16 right. Quite full on Malachi at 200pp.
F Woude, A. S. van der ‡ (Herm). The author is one of the great South African scholars.
NOTES: (1) Consult the list of works in the above section, The Twelve Minor Prophets. (2) I recommend looking up David Jones’s article, “Malachi on Divorce,” Presb 15.1 (1989): 16 – 22. His defense of the superior Septuagintal reading — once properly understood — is on target, and one needs to note it. He takes issue with a number of scholars over their exegesis of 2:16. Jones’s further research on the LXX is reflected in an article published in JBL (Win 1990). Another fine article is Markus Zehnder, “A Fresh Look at Malachi II 13 – 16,” VT 53.2 (2003): 224 – 59. Among the commentaries, Clendenen has an especially full (14pp.) and carefully thought-through exegesis of 2:15b – 16.