The best Deuteronomy commentaries are listed below. There are exegetical commentaries, scholarly and technical commentaries, as well as commentaries that are easy to understand. The “Top 10” list is based on aggregate reviews.
This list of commentaries is intended to help the reader understand and apply Moses’ message in the book of Deuteronomy. They are not suggested as a replacement for prayer, the Holy Spirit, and the reader’s own diligent study of Scripture.
It is hoped that these books will aid the Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, student, as well as any Bible reader that wants to understand more about Deuteronomy.
May each reader’s aim be to glorify God in Jesus Christ; to strengthen Christ’s bride, the Church; and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.
After browsing the commentaries below, please see Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
10 Best Deuteronomy Commentaries
Please read: The “Top 10” list below is a starting point for learning about Deuteronomy commentaries. It is not intended to be the “final word” because of its limitations.
Nevertheless, a list based on aggregate reviews is likely to point many people in the right direction to find the right resource for their purposes.
#1
Deuteronomy
Apollos Old Testament Commentary
by J.G. McConville
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on Deuteronomy (tied)
• Tremper Longman: “accessible… theologically sensitive”
• Keith Mathison: #2 ranked commentary on Deuteronomy, “Another strong contender for the top spot is the recent commentary by McConville. The layout of the Apollos commentaries makes them somewhat more helpful for those seeking contemporary application.”
Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOTC) aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture.
It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to non-experts, and it shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers.
Written by an international team of scholars and edited by David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, these commentaries are intended to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament, as well as scholars and all serious students of the Bible.”
See more about the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series.
Also see the best one-volume bible commentaries, based on aggregate reviews.
#2
Deuteronomy
Tyndale Old Testament Commentary
by J.A. Thompson
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: “stimulating and full of helpful information”
• John H. Walton and Andrew E. Hill: “Brief but solid evangelical commentary.”
• Keith Mathison: #3 ranked commentary on Deuteronomy, “For an introductory level commentary, it is surprisingly insightful.”
Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: This series is “designed to help readers understand what the Bible actually says and what it means… [each commentary] examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes.
It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.
The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.”
See more about the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.
#3
Deuteronomy
New International Commentary on the Old Testament
by Peter C. Craigie
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: “high quality…adopts a firmly evangelical approach”
• Keith Mathison: #1 ranked commentary on Deuteronomy, “Craigie’s commentary in the NICOT series is probably still the best place to start. It is a competent and clear work written from an evangelical perspective.”
Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “All of the NICOT volumes combine superior scholarship, an evangelical view of Scripture as the Word of God, and concern for the life of faith today.
Each volume features an extensive introduction treating the biblical book’s authorship, date, purpose, structure, and theology.
The author’s own translation of the original Hebrew and verse-by-verse commentary follow.
The commentary itself carefully balances coverage of technical matters with exposition of the biblical text’s theology and implications.”
See more about the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series.
#4
Deuteronomy
Understanding the Bible Commentary Series
by Christopher J.H. Wright
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Desiring God: #1 recommended commentary on Deuteronomy (tied)
• Tremper Longman: 4 out 5 stars, “sensitive to the book’s trajectory to the New Testament”
Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “Each volume in the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series breaks down the barriers between the ancient and modern worlds so that the power and meaning of the biblical texts become transparent to contemporary readers.
They present a careful section-by-section exposition of the biblical books with key terms and phrases highlighted and all Hebrew transliterated.
Notes at the close of each chapter provide additional textual and technical comments for those who want to dig deeper.”
See more about the Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.
#5
Deuteronomy
Evangelical Press Study Commentary
by John D. Currid
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Keith Mathison: #4 ranked commentary on Deuteronomy, “Combining exegesis and application, Currid’s commentaries on the books of the Pentateuch have so far been very helpful. His commentary on Deuteronomy continues the standard of excellence.”
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: “EP Study Commentaries are invaluable tools for the minister, theologian and serious students of the Scriptures. This series is both readable and user- friendly.” See more about Evangelical Press Study Commentaries.
#6
Deuteronomy
JPS Torah Commentary
by Jefferey A. Tigay
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: 4 out 5 stars, “well-written and beautifully produced”
• Keith Mathison: #5 ranked commentary on Deuteronomy, “Tigay writes from a somewhat critical stance, so this commentary can only be recommended with qualification for discerning pastors and seminary students.”
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah.
Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field. Every page contains the complete traditional Hebrew text, with cantillation notes, the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures, aliyot breaks, Masoretic notes, and commentary by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar, integrating classical and modern sources.
Each volume also contains supplementary essays that elaborate upon key words and themes, a glossary of commentators and sources, extensive bibliographic notes, and maps.”
See more about the JPS Torah commentary series.
#7
Deuteronomy
Tyndale Old Testament Commentary
by Edward J. Woods
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: 4 out 5 stars, “the exposition is helpful and clear”
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: This series is “designed to help readers understand what the Bible actually says and what it means… [each commentary] examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes.
It also comments on individual verses and deals with problems of interpretation.
The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the Bible and to make its message plain to readers today.”
See more about the Tyndale Old Testament Commentary series.
#8
Deuteronomy
Interpretation
by Patrick D. Miller
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: 4 out of 5 stars, “helpful and well-written”
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “This series of commentaries offers an interpretation of the books of the Bible.
It is designed to meet the need of students, teachers, ministers, and priests for a contemporary expository commentary.
These volumes will not replace the historical-critical commentary or homiletical aids to preaching.
The purpose of this series is rather to provide a third kind of resource, a commentary which presents the integrated result of historical and theological work with the biblical text.”
See more about the Interpretation Bible commentary series.
#9
Deuteronomy
Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries
by Moshe Weinfeld
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: 4 out 5 stars, “much interesting literary and theological discussion”
Best for: students, pastors, teachers, professors, and scholars with training in Hebrew who can follow a technical commentary
Purpose: From the publisher: “The series “vigorously pursues the goal of bringing to a wide audience the most important new ideas, the latest research findings, and the clearest possible analysis of the Bible.”
See more about the Anchor Bible Commentary series.
#10
Deuteronomy
Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible
by Telford Work
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Reviews and Accolades:
• Tremper Longman: 4 out of 5 stars, “remains grounded in the text…often-insightful, fresh look at the book”
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible enlists leading theologians to read and interpret Scripture for the twenty-first century, just as the church fathers, the Reformers, and other Orthodox Christians did for their times and places.
The commentaries are designed to serve the church — through aid in preaching, teaching, study groups, and so forth — and demonstrate the continuing intellectual and practical viability of theological interpretation of the Bible.”
See more about the Brazos Theological Commentary series.
More Book of Deuteronomy Commentaries for Christian Ministry
Please read: Why are the Deuteronomy commentaries below not in the “Top 10”? It’s not because they have received poor reviews or because people haven’t found them helpful. The reasons vary:
- Some are relatively new and haven’t been widely reviewed, read, or used yet.
- Others haven’t been widely distributed, so it is difficult to get enough information to aggregate.
- Still others may be outdated in relation to biblical scholarship or out of print and difficult to acquire.
The “Top 10” list is reviewed annually. Readers are encouraged to consider the volumes in this section before making a purchase. These 10 are not in any particular order.
Deuteronomy
New International Version Application Commentary
by Daniel I. Block
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Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the General Editor: The primary goal of the NIV Application Commentary Series is to help you with the difficult but vital task of bringing an ancient message into a modern context.
The series not only focuses on application as a finished product but also helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance.
These are commentaries, not popular expositions. They are works of reference, not devotional literature.”
See more about the NIV Application Commentary series.
Deuteronomy
Preaching the Word
by Ajith Fernando
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Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readersPurpose: From the publisher: “For years, Crossway’s Preaching the Word commentary series has helped pastors, preachers, and anyone who teaches God’s Word to better interpret and apply the message of the Bible.
Under the careful editorial oversight of experienced pastor and best-selling author R. Kent Hughes, this series is known for its commitment to biblical authority, its pastoral tone and focus, and its overall accessibility.”
See more about the Preaching the Word commentary series.
Deuteronomy
Belief: A Theological Commentary
by Deanna Thompson
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “Building on a wide range of sources from biblical studies, the history of theology, the church’s liturgical and musical traditions, contemporary culture, and the Christian tradition, noted scholars focus less on traditional historical and literary angles in favor of a theologically focused commentary that considers the contemporary relevance of the texts.
This series is an invaluable resource for those who want to probe beyond the backgrounds and words of biblical texts to their deep theological and ethical meanings for the church today.”
Deuteronomy
The Bible Speaks Today
by Raymond Brown
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Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: The “the three distinctives of The Bible Speaks Today series are (1) “BST authors are committed to a serious study of the text in its own integrity,” (2) that “expositors should not be antiquarians, living only in the remote past” but suggest application for living, and (3) “each book is intended to be both readable in style and manageable in size.”
See more about the Bible Speaks Today commentary series.
Deuteronomy
Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Revised
by Michael A. Grisanti
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Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “Written primarily by expositors for expositors… its stance is that of a scholarly evangelicalism committed to the divine inspiration, complete trustworthiness, and full authority of the Bible… the chief principle followed in this commentary is the grammatico-historical.”
See more about the Expositor’s Bible Commentary series.
Deuteronomy
Abingdon Old Testament Commentary
by Walter Brueggemann
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries series offers compact, critical commentaries on all the books of the Old Testament.
In addition to providing fundamental information on and insights into Old Testament writings, these commentaries exemplify the tasks and procedures of careful, critical exegesis so as to assist students of the Old Testament in coming to an informed engagement of the biblical texts themselves.
These commentaries are written with special attention to the needs and interests of theology students, but they will also be useful for students in upper-level college or university settings, as well as for pastors and other church leaders.”
See more about Abingdon commentaries.
Deuteronomy
New American Commentary
by Eugene H. Merrill
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Approach to Scripture: Evangelical
Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The New American Commentary is introduced to bridge the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.”
This “series has been designed primarily to enable pastors, teachers, and students to read the Bible with clarity and proclaim it with power.”
See more about the New American Commentary series.
Deuteronomy 1:1-21:9 and 21:10-34:12
Word Biblical Commentary
by Duane L. Christensen
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “WBC series delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation.
It emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence.
The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology.”
See more about the Word Biblical Commentary series.
Reading Deuteronomy:
A Literary and Theological Commentary
by Stephen L. Cook
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “Edited by Mark E. Biddle, Russell T. Cherry Professor of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, the Reading the Old Testament commentary series presents cutting-edge biblical research in accessible language.”
Deuteronomy
The Old Testament Library
by Gerhard Von Rad
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.”
See more about the Old Testament Library commentary series.
Deuteronomy
International Critical Commentary
by Samuel R. Driver
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Best for: students, pastors, teachers, professors, and scholars with training in Hebrew who can follow a technical commentary
Purpose: From the publisher: The ICC series has “sought to bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis, linguistic and textual no less than archaeological, historical, literary and theological to help the reader understand the meaning of the books of the Old and New Testaments…
No attempt has been made to secure a uniform theological or critical approach to the biblical text: contributors have been invited for their scholarly distinction, not for their adherence to any one school of thought.”
See more about the International Critical Commentary series.
Classic Deuteronomy Commentaries
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
edited by Joseph T. Leinhard
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Best for: expository preachers, Bible college and seminary students, church elders and teachers, experienced Bible readers
Purpose: From the publisher: “The vast array of writings from the church fathers — including much that is available only in the ancient languages — have been combed for their comment on Scripture.”
See more about the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series.
Also see:
Compare 75 different commentary series on the Bible Commentary Series Comparison Chart