The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Genesis-Deuteronomy

Written by John H. Walton and Victor H. Matthews Reviewed By John E Hartley

This volume provides Bible readers who have little knowledge of the ancient world an abundance of information on the socio-cultural background of texts throughout the Pentateuch. The authors present the materials in a clear, concise, straightforward manner.

For each book of the Pentateuch there is a brief introduction about the kind of comparative material that is germane for this particular book. Following are numerous notes identified by a scriptural reference and a title. These notes treat a variety of issues, including places, peoples, customs, rituals, worship practices, laws, economic matters, ceremonies, festivals, seasonal patterns, and other issues conditioned by time and place. Special attention is given to cultic and magical practices of Israel’s neighbours. Tribal structures are emphasized. A valuable section is an extended glossary. When a term defined in the glossary appears in a note, it is starred, enabling the reader to find quickly that term’s meaning.

The authors have a high regard for Scripture. They do not become engaged in reconstructions of the text, spend time identifying sources behind the present text, or get involved in controversial issues. Also the authors do not treat theological themes. Consequently this volume is not a substitute for good commentaries on the books of the Pentateuch. Rather it provides information on obscure words, places, and practices in order to make various texts more understandable and also to prevent their misinterpretation.

Several limitations of this volume may be noted, some of course due to its scope. Sometimes the authors do not bring out the significance of a comment. At Leviticus 16:34, e.g., they briefly describe annual Babylonian practices for purging a sanctuary, but do not show how these practices enlighten any of the rituals performed on the Day of Atonement. In a few notations there is a gap between the time of an incident or practice mentioned in a text and the material marshalled to illuminate or support it. For example, in commenting on Abraham’s surprise attack against the kings of the East who had taken Lot captive (Gn. 14:15), the authors state that ‘the strategy of night-time ambush’ is attested as early as the Judges. If one accepts the biblical chronology for Abraham which places him in the twenty-first century bc, there is a gap of several hundred years between Abraham and the supporting evidence. While such time gaps are admittedly rare in this volume, the reader must be alert to the quality of the comparisons being made.

Another limitation is the lack of footnotes for further research. This is intentional in order to keep the volume from becoming too cumbersome. But in places it is a troubling omission. For example, Genesis 15:1–3 says that the embalming of Jacob took forty days. Some sources indicate that the Egyptians took seventy days for embalming. So a citation could help the reader to resolve this apparent discrepancy. Furthermore, the authors bypass passages where little is known about the Hebrew terms, such as the lists of birds and reptiles in Leviticus 11.

Overall, however, this book is a splendid tool that provides ready access to the cultural background of the books of the Pentateuch.


John E Hartley

Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA