Description
This list has been prepared to assist students at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary in selecting books for their
future ministries. It has been specifically designed to answer the question of which books are the best on a particular book of the Bible or theological subject. In the case of commentaries, best means those that are the most helpful in exegesis and exposition, as well as understanding the overall argument of a book. Commentaries of a sermonic and/or devotional nature, though helpful and oftentimes essential for sermon preparation, are not generally represented in this list. The books are listed in order of importance. The first book listed, if available, is the one the student should purchase first. However, it should not be assumed that one commentary will suffice for the task of teaching or preaching through a book. This is almost never the case.
Many of these commentaries are available from Logos Bible Software.
Add available commentaries to your library with discount
Genesis
Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis. 2 Vols. WBC. Thomas Nelson, 1987.
Genesis :
ranked 1

Genesis 1-15
Genesis 16-50
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1/2 Samuel
1/2 Kings
1/2 Chronicles
Selman, Martin J. 1 & 2 Chronicles. 4 Vols. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 2008.
1/2 Chronicles :
ranked 3

1 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
2 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary
Ezra/Nehemiah
Breneman, Mervin. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 1993.
Ezra/Nehemiah :
ranked 4
Esther : ranked 4

Esther : ranked 4
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Garrett, Duane A. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 1993.
Proverbs :
ranked 7
Ecclesiastes : ranked 6
Song of Songs : (not ranked)

Ecclesiastes : ranked 6
Song of Songs : (not ranked)
Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs. 2 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 2004.
Proverbs :
ranked 1

The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15
The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 15-31
Song of Songs
Garrett, Duane A. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 1993.
Proverbs :
ranked 7
Ecclesiastes : ranked 6
Song of Songs : (not ranked)

Ecclesiastes : ranked 6
Song of Songs : (not ranked)
Isaiah
Oswalt, John N. The Book of Isaiah. 2 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1986.
Isaiah :
ranked 1

The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39
The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
Block, Daniel I. The Book of Ezekiel. 2 Vols. NICOT. Eerdmans, 1997.
Ezekiel :
ranked 1

The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1-24
The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25-48
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Finley, Thomas J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. WEC. Moody Press, 1990.
Joel :
ranked 11
Amos : ranked 15
Obadiah : ranked 12

Amos : ranked 15
Obadiah : ranked 12
Obadiah
Alexander, T. Desmond; Baker, David W.; Waltke, Bruce K. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1989.
Obadiah :
ranked 3
Jonah : ranked 1
Micah : ranked 1

Jonah : ranked 1
Micah : ranked 1
Finley, Thomas J. Joel, Amos, Obadiah. WEC. Moody Press, 1990.
Joel :
ranked 11
Amos : ranked 15
Obadiah : ranked 12

Amos : ranked 15
Obadiah : ranked 12
Micah
Alexander, T. Desmond; Baker, David W.; Waltke, Bruce K. Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. TOTC. InterVarsity Press, 1989.
Obadiah :
ranked 3
Jonah : ranked 1
Micah : ranked 1

Jonah : ranked 1
Micah : ranked 1
Nahum
Patterson, Richard D. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah. WEC. Moody Press, 1991.
Nahum :
ranked 14
Habakkuk : ranked 13
Zephaniah : ranked 12

Habakkuk : ranked 13
Zephaniah : ranked 12
Haggai
Merrill, Eugene H. Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi - An Exegetical Commentary. aEC. Biblical Studies Press, 2003.
Haggai :
(not ranked)
Zechariah : (not ranked)
Malachi : (not ranked)

Zechariah : (not ranked)
Malachi : (not ranked)
Prophets
Matthew
Mark
Luke
Bock, Darrell L. Luke. 2 Vols. BECNT. Baker Academic, 1994.
Luke :
ranked 1

Luke 1:1-9:50
Luke 9:51-24:53
John
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Kent Jr., Homer A. Treasures of Wisdom: Studies in Colossians & Philemon. BMH Books, 2006.
Philemon :
(not ranked)
Colossians : (not ranked)

Colossians : (not ranked)
1/2 Thessalonians
Pastoral Epistles
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter/Jude
Revelation
Thomas, Robert L. Revelation. 2 Vols. WEC. Moody Press, 1992.
Revelation :
ranked 8

Revelation 8-22 Commentary
Revelation 1-7 Commentary
Special Studies in Acts
Kent Jr., Homer A. Jerusalem to Rome: Studies in the Book of Acts. Baker Academic, 1974.
Acts :
(not ranked)
Special Studies in Acts : (not ranked)

Special Studies in Acts : (not ranked)