The Hermeneia bible commentary series is a technical-critical academic resource that has been published by Fortress Press since the late 1970’s.
The series includes commentaries on biblical books, as well as other ancient literature that is closely related to the Bible. [1] The word Greek word transliterated “Hermeneia” describes a systematic exposition of the biblical text. [2]
Readers who have training in Hebrew and Greek will maximize the information contained in Hermeneia volumes. Authors also utilize other languages such as Latin, Canaanite, and Akkadian, though English translations are provided.
The commentaries that were first published in this series are rooted in mid-twentieth century German scholarship (e.g. Zimmerli), but in the 1990’s and 2000’s more American writers contributed volumes.
There are approximately 40 volumes in the Hermeneia series, most of which are bible commentaries, though a few cover specialty topics such as The Sermon on the Mount and the theoretical Gospels-studies document, Q.
Volumes are still being published and Fortress Press indicates that new volumes will eventually replace the older ones in the series. Hermeneia hardbacks are relatively over-sized, measuring 9.5 inches top to bottom and 8.6 inches left to right. Volumes are also available on CD-Rom. [3]
Which commentary series is best for your purposes? See Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.
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Hemerneia Commentaries (HERM): Reviews
Among the well-reviewed recent releases include Paul Achtemeier’s 1 Peter commentary, Hans Conzelmann’ s Acts commentary, and Harold W. Attridge’s Hebrews commentary.
Morna D. Hooker of University of Cambridge states that “taken together, Hermeneia represents some of the best recent biblical scholarship” and Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann has written that the “Hermeneia will be the benchmark and reference point for all future work.”
Fortress Press states that editors “of Hermeneia impose no systematic-theological perspective upon the series (directly, or indirectly by selection of authors).” [4] Theological reflection, as well as personal and corporate application, are not priorities of the series.
Interviews from the Hermeneia series on Best Bible Commentaries
I am pleased to have conducted a question-and-answer on the Philippians volume in the Hermeneia series with author Paul A. Holloway. Here is a preview:
“I did not think I was going to enjoy writing on the so-called Christ Hymn in Phil 2:6-11, since so much has been written on it. But in fact it was great fun.”
Please see the entire Paul A. Holloway interview.
New Testament Volumes in the Hermeneia Series
The links below go to Amazon using each book’s exact ISBN.
The Apostolic Tradition | Publication Date: 2002 | ISBN: 9780800660468
The Didache | Publication Date: 1998 | ISBN: 9780800660277
Ignatius of Antioch | Publication Date: 1985 | ISBN: 9780800660161
The Shepherd of Hermas | Publication Date: 1999 | ISBN: 9780800660635
The Odes of Solomon | Publication Date: 2009 | ISBN: 9780800660567
Matthew 1–7 – Ulrich Luz | Publication Date: 2007 | ISBN: 9780800660994
Matthew 8–20 – Ulrich Luz | Publication Date: 2001 | ISBN: 9780800660345
Matthew 21–28 – Ulrich Luz | Publication Date: 2005 | ISBN: 9780800637705
The Sermon on the Mount – Hans Dieter Betz | Publication Date: 1995 | ISBN: 9780800660314
Mark – Adela Yarbro Collins | Publication Date: 2007 | ISBN: 9780800660789
Luke 1:1–9:50 – François Bovon | Publication Date: 2002 | ISBN: 9780800660444
Luke 9:51–19:27 – François Bovon | Publication Date: 2013 | ISBN: 9780800697594
Luke 19:28–24:53 – François Bovon | Publication Date: 2012 | ISBN: 9780800697600
The Critical Edition of Q – Paul Hoffman, John S. Kloppenborg, and James M. Robinson | Publication Date: 2002 | ISBN: 9780800631499
John 1–6 – Ernst Haenchen | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660130
John 7–21 – Ernst Haenchen | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660154
Acts of the Apostles – Hans Conzelmann | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660185
Acts – Richard I. Pervo | Publication Date: 2008 | ISBN: 9780800660451
Romans – Robert Jewett | Publication Date: 2006 | ISBN: 9780800660840
1 Corinthians – Hans Conzelmann | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660055
2 Corinthians 8 and 9 – Hans Dieter Betz | Publication Date: 1985 | ISBN: 9780800660147
Galatians – Hans Dieter Betz | Publication Date: 1989 | ISBN: 9780800660093
Colossians and Philemon – Eduard Lohse | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660017
The Pastoral Epistles – Hans Conzelmann and Martin Dibelius | Publication Date: 1989 | ISBN: 9780800660024
Hebrews – Harold W. Attridge | Publication Date: 1989 | ISBN: 9780800660215
James – Martin Dibelius | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660062
1 Peter – Paul J. Achtemeier | Publication Date: 1996 | ISBN: 9780800660307
The Johannine Letters – Georg Strecker | Publication Date: 1996 | ISBN: 9780800660475
The Johannine Epistles – Rudolf Bultmann | Publication Date: 1973 | ISBN: 9780800660031
Old Testament Volumes in the Hermeneia Series
Links go to Amazon.
1 Chronicles – Ralph W. Klein | Publication Date: 2006 | ISBN: 9780800660857
2 Chronicles – Ralph W. Klein | Publication Date: 2012 | ISBN: 9780800661014
Psalms 2 (Psalms 51–100) – Frank Lothar Hossfeld and Erich Zenger | Publication Date: 2005 | ISBN: 9780800660611
Psalms 3 (Psalms 101–150) – Frank Lothar Hossfeld and Erich Zenger | Publication Date: 2011 | ISBN: 9780800607623
Qoheleth – Thomas Krüger | Publication Date: 2004 | ISBN: 9780800660369
The Song of Songs – Roland E. Murphy | Publication Date: 1990 | ISBN: 9780800660246
First Isaiah – J.M.M. Roberts | ISBN: 9780800660802
Deutero–Isaiah – Klaus Baltzer | Publication Date: 2001 | ISBN: 9780800660390
Jeremiah 1 – William L. Holladay | Publication Date: 1986 | ISBN: 9780800660178
Jeremiah 2 – William L. Holladay | Publication Date: 1989 | ISBN: 9780800660222
Ezekiel 1 – Walther Zimmerli | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660086
Ezekiel 2 – Walther Zimmerli | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660109
Daniel – John J. Collins | Publication Date: 1994 | ISBN: 9780800660406
Hosea – Hans Walter Wolff | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660048
Joel and Amos – Hans Walter Wolff | Publication Date: 1977 | ISBN: 9780800660079
Amos – Shalom M. Paul | Publication Date: 1990 | ISBN: 9780800660239
Micah – Delbert R. Hillers | Publication Date: 1988 | ISBN: 9780800660123
Zephaniah – Marvin A. Sweeney | Publication Date: 2003 | ISBN: 9780800660499
1 Enoch 1 – George W.E. Nickelsburg | Publication Date: 2001 | ISBN: 9780800660741
1 Enoch 2 – George W.E. Nickelsburg and James C. VanderKam | Publication Date: 2011 | ISBN: 9780800698379
Fourth Ezra – Michael E. Stone | Publication Date: 1990 | ISBN: 9780800660260
Footnotes