Nobuyoshi Kiuchi has produced a massive volume on Leviticus in the “Apollos Old Testament Commentary” series (InterVarsity Press). Kiuchi offers over five hundred pages of in-depth exegesis of this important book. The work is not likely to be surpassed in terms of scholarship in this generation. Another helpful work on Leviticus is The Beauty of Holiness: The Book of Leviticus Simply Explained (Evangelical Press) by Philip H. Eveson, which offers an accessible exposition of the book. As Evenson explains, “Without this book we cannot begin to understand the death of Christ and His priestly work on our behalf, as the author of Hebrews constantly indicates. Neither can we appreciate the many references to cleansing, purity, wholeness, separation, and holiness that we find in the New Testament.”

Pastors will find another helpful resource in Deuteronomy (Evangelical Press) by John D. Currid. Other important Old Testament commentaries released in the past year include 1 and 2 Kings (Zondervan) by August H. Konkel and Zechariah (P&R Publishing) by Richard D. Phillips. Phillips brings the book to life, indicating “the hero of Zechariah is none other than Jesus Christ, whose portraits fill this prophecy with a depth and vibrancy unsurpassed anywhere else in the Old Testament.” This volume is one of several released this past year in the “Reformed Expository Commentary.”

Other Old Testament commentaries released in the past year include Gerald H. Wilson’s Job (Hendrickson) in the “New International Biblical Commentary” series, and two volumes in the “The Gospel According to the Old Testament” series (P&R Publishing). These two volumes include After God’s Own Heart:The Gospel According to David by Mark J. Boda and Crying Out for Vindication: The Gospel According to Job by David R. Jackson. Both of these volumes are helpful in placing these Old Testament books within the story-line of God’s saving work.

Significant New Testament commentaries released over the past year include 1 Timothy (P&R Publishing) by Philip Graham Ryken and James (P&R Publishing) by Daniel M. Doriani. Ryken, senior minister at Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church, reflected that his study of the epistle “was like sitting shoulder to shoulder with Timothy during his pastoral internship with the best of teachers: the apostle Paul.” Doriani, senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton, Missouri, demonstrates that James is “eminently practical” and “full of vivid exhortations to godly living.” As he explains, “In short compass it offers concrete counsel on an array of issues Christians confront every day: trials, poverty and riches, favoritism, social justice, the tongue, worldliness, boasting, planning, prayer, illness and more.”