New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary | Reviews and Volumes

The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary series is one of the most well-respected bible study tools available today.

NIBC commentaries provide detailed introductions to all 66 books of the bible. Authors also provide thorough explanations of each passage of Scripture.

New Interpreter's Bible Commentary
New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary cover design

For those that want to dig deeper, there are in-depth notes as well as discussion on alternate readings and translations.

The original New Interpreter’s Commentary series was published in the 1950’s, but it underwent a significant revision in the 1990’s.

The original series utilized the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version of the bible.

The updated edition used the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version.

Which commentary series is best for your purposes? See Best Bible Commentaries: Top 50. Based on aggregate reviews.

Note: The NIBC commentary is available in a 12-volume set or in a one-volume abridged edition. Scroll down to see both options.

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to see weekly videos on Bible commentaries.
Logos Bible Software

Want to save money on bible commentaries?

Logos Bible Software is the best digital resource for bible commentaries, theology books, and more. When you sign up through Best Bible Commentaries, you will save 10% on the cost of the software in addition to getting five free books. Click on the LOGOS image above to learn more.

New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary Series: Reviews

Patrick J. Wilson, The Christian Century:

“The New Interpreter’s Bible commentators are consistently aware that they are in conversation with preachers and teachers in the church. The New Interpreter’s Bible is the commentary preachers and teachers need for the years ahead.”

James W. Cox, Review and Expositor:

“The entire set should be among the few sets of commentaries on the bookshelves of the serious student of the Scriptures.”

Victor P. Hamilton, Asbury College”

“The quality of both the commentary and the Reflections sections is consistently high. The New Interpreter’s Bible is an invaluable addition to the library of both academician and pastor.”

Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN

“For this magnificent achievement, Abingdon Press deserves praise from clergy, academics, and anyone interested in the Bible.”

Note: Compare the NIBC commentary series with dozens of other series on the Bible Commentary Comparison Chart.

Purpose of the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary Series

From the publisher: The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary offers critically sound biblical interpretations.

Guided by scholars, pastors and laity representing diverse traditions and academic experience, this collection of commentary meets the needs of preachers, teachers, and all students of the Bible.

Easy-To-Use Format

  • A detailed, critical commentary providing an exegetical “close-reading” of the biblical text
  • Reflections that present a detailed exposition of issues raised in the biblical text
  • Introductions to each book that cover essential historical, sociocultural, literary, and theological issues
  • An ecumenical roster of contributors
  • Comprehensive, concise articles
  • Numerous visual aids (illustrations, maps, charts, timelines) enhance use

Interviews from the New Interpreter’s series on Best Bible Commentaries

Robert W. Wall on Acts: (click to read full Q & A)

Preview: “I was at Tyndale House in Cambridge on sabbatical when I wrote a first draft or the first half of Acts.

Lots of people there were also working on Acts — typically using more ‘traditional’ approaches to its narrative.

More than a particular passage, what is memorable are those conversations with others about interpreting Acts. Almost daily ‘a-ha’ experiences.”


One-Volume NIBC Edition


Get this book on: Amazon using it’s exact ISBN.

From the publisher: “The portability, accessibility, and affordability of the one-volume commentary will appeal to professors and students as well as lay persons and pastors.

This commentary contains articles on all the books of the Bible, including the Apocrypha, as well as numerous general articles on biblical interpretation, geographical and historical setting, religion, text, canon, translation, Bible and preaching/teaching, with bibliographies for each article.”


Volumes in the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary Series


Vol. 1: Genesis to Leviticus

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 1:
Introduction to The New Interpreter’s Bible: Leander E. Keck
How We Got Our Bible
Introduction to the Canon: Daniel J. Harrington
Modern English Versions of the Bible: Keith R. Crim
How the Bible Is Read, Interpreted, and Used
The Authority of the Bible: Phyllis A. Bird
How the Bible Has Been Interpreted in Jewish Tradition: Michael A. Signer
How the Bible Has Been Interpreted in Christian Tradition: Justo L. González
Contemporary Theories of Biblical Interpretation: Moisés Silva
Contemporary Methods of Reading the Bible: Carl R. Holladay
Reading the Bible from Particular Social Locations: An Introduction: James Earl Massey
Reading the Bible as African Americans: James Earl Massey
Reading the Bible as Asian Americans: Chan-Hie Kim
Reading the Bible as Hispanic Americans: Fernando F. Segovia
Reading the Bible as Native Americans: George E. Tinker
Reading the Bible as Women: Carolyn Osiek
The Use of the Bible in Preaching: David G. Buttrick
The Use of the Bible in Hymns, Liturgy, and Education: Catherine Gunsalus González
The Background of the Old Testament Texts
Life in Ancient Palestine: David C. Hopkins
The Ancient Near Eastern Literary Background of the Old Testament: Simon B. Parker
Introduction to the History of Ancient Israel: J. Maxwell Miller
Introduction to Israelite Religion: Gary A. Anderson
Introduction to Early Jewish Religion: John J. Collins
Ancient Texts and Versions of the Old Testament: Judith E. Sanderson
Introduction to the Pentateuch: Joseph Blenkinsopp
Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections

Genesis: Terence E. Fretheim

Exodus: Walter Brueggemann

Leviticus: Walter C. Kaiser Jr.

Vol. 2: Numbers to Samuel

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 2:
The Book of Numbers: Thomas B. Dozeman
The Book of Deuteronomy: Ronald Clements
Introduction to Narrative Literature: Peter D. Miscall
The Book of Joshua: Robert B. Coote
The Book of Judges: Dennis T. Olson
The Book of Ruth: Kathleen A. Robertson Farmer
The First and Second Books of Samuel: Bruce C. Birch

Vol. 3: Kings to Judith

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 3:
The First and Second Books of Kings: Choon-Leong Seow
The First and Second Books of Chronicles: Leslie C. Allen
The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah: Ralph W. Klein
The Book of Esther: Sidnie White Crawford
The Additions to Esther: Sidnie White Crawford
The Book of Tobit: Irene Nowell
The Book of Judith: Lawrence M. Wills

Vol. 4: 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 4:
1 Maccabees: Robert Doran
2 Maccabees: Robert Doran
Introduction to Hebrew Poetry: Adele Berlin
Job: Carol A. Newsom
Psalms: J. Clinton McAnn Jr.

Vol. 5: Proverbs to Sirach

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 5:
Introduction to Wisdom Literature: Richard J. Clifford
Proverbs: Raymond C. Van Leeuwen
Ecclesiastes: W. Sibley Towner
Song of Songs: Renita J. Weems
Book of Wisdom: Michael Kolarcik
Sirach: James L. Crenshaw

Vol. 6: Isaiah to Ezekiel

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 6:
Introduction to Prophetic Literature: David L. Petersen
The Book of Isaiah 1–39: Gene M. Tucker
The Book of Isaiah 40–66: Christopher R. Seitz
The Book of Jeremiah: Patrick D. Miller
The Book of Baruch: Anthony J. Saldarini
The Book of Jeremiah: Anthony J. Saldarini
The Book of Lamentations: Kathleen M. O’Connor
The Book of Ezekiel: Katheryn Pfisterer Darr

Vol. 7: The Twelve Prophets

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 7:
Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature: Frederick J. Murphy
Daniel: Daniel L. Smith-Christopher
The Additions to Daniel: Daniel L. Smith-Christopher
Hosea: Gale A. Yee
Joel: Elizabeth Achtemeier
Amos: Donald E. Gowan
Obadiah: Samuel Pagán
Jonah: Phyllis Trible
Micah: Daniel J. Simundson
Nahum: Francisco O. García-Treto
Habakkuk: Theodore Hiebert
Zephaniah: Robert A. Bennett
Haggai: W. Eugene March
Zechariah: Ben C. Ollenburger
Malachi: Eileen M. Schuller

Vol. 8: Matthew to Mark

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 8:
General Articles on the New Testament
Ancient Texts and Versions of the New Testament: Eldon Jay Epp
The Cultural Context of the New Testament: The Greco-Roman World: Abraham J. Malherbe
The Jewish Context of the New Testament: George W. E. Nickelsburg
The Ecclesiastical Context of the New Testament: Vincent L. Wimbush
The Gospels and Narrative Literature: Robert C. Tannehill
Jesus and the Gospels: Christopher M. Tuckett
Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections
Matthew: Eugene Boring
Mark: Pheme Perkins

Vol. 9: Luke to John

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 9:
Luke: R. Alan Culpepper
John: Gail R. O’Day

Vol. 10: Acts to First Corinthians

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 10:
The Acts of the Apostles: Robert W. Wall
Introduction to Epistolary Literature: Robert W. Wall
The Letter to the Romans: N. T. Wright
The First Letter to the Corinthians: J. Paul Sampley

Vol. 11: Second Corinthians to Philemon

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN.

Contributors to Volume 11:
The Second Letter to the Corinthians: J. Paul Sampley
The Letter to the Galatians: Richard B. Hays
The Letter to the Ephesians: Pheme Perkins
The Letter to the Philippians: Morna D. Hooker
The Letter to the Colossians: Andrew T. Lincoln
The First Letter to the Thessalonians: Abraham Smith
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians: Abraham Smith
The First and Second Letters to Timothy and the Letter to Titus: James D. G. Dunn
The Letter to Philemon: Cain Hope Felder

Vol. 12: Hebrews to Revelation

Get this volume on: Amazon using its exact ISBN. 

Contributors to Volume 12:
The Letter to the Hebrews: Fred B. Craddock
The Letter of James: Luke Timothy Johnson
The First Letter of Peter: David L. Bartlett
The Second Letter of Peter: Duane F. Watson
The First, Second, and Third Letters of John: C. Clifton Black
The Letter of Jude: Duane F. Watson
The Book of Revelation: Christopher C. Rowland

error: This content is copyrighted.