BOOK OF THE MONTH: The Prophetic Books in the New Oxford Annotated Bible (5th Edition)

MARCH BOOK OF THE MONTH

REVIEWER: Harry Fenner Crawley

BOOK: The New Oxford Annotated Bible (5th Edition) pages 971 - 1371
EDITOR: Michael D Coogan
(OUP, 2018) 2416pp, paperback 

Amongst NRSV translations, this one stands out. Each book has a summary beforehand from a leading scholar, drawing out the context in which the book was written, what we know about the author, the structure of the book and the central themes. Once the reader begins reading the biblical text, there are commentary notes throughout which highlight key verses. These notes do not analyse every verse; instead, they guide the reader without constricting their opinions. The commentators avoid controversy or detailed discussions, but give a broad overview of what the biblical author is communicating. I prefer this, as it allows the space to form one’s own thoughts and listen to the Holy Spirit.  

We are at a disadvantage, however, in reading the Minor Prophets in English. The word play, poetry, and puns are lost on us as non-Hebrew readers. The running commentary highlights these points. Particularly helpful is setting the books in their historical context. Writing on Amos, Gregory Mobley gives archeological evidence for an earthquake also covered by Zechariah (14:5): ‘Did this earthquake… offer cosmic validation of Amos’s preaching?’ It is a fascinating insight into Amos 9:9. It must be noted, however, that historical and archeological evidence does not always corroborate with the biblical narrative.  

One benefit of the NOAB is keeping abreast of the scholarly conversation around biblical studies with each revised edition. The main benefit is largely convenience. The reader doesn’t need to have a second, possibly distracting, book next to their Bible or phone. The book includes essays on textual criticism, interpretation and hermeneutics, and historical contexts as well as maps, timelines, and a glossary.  

Unfortunately, the NOAB text is very small, and this can lead to difficulty when reading. It is something important to be aware of before purchasing. But I’ve settled on this Bible for both personal devotion and preaching preparation. Even beyond the Minor Prophets, I would recommend the New Oxford Annotated Bible to preachers looking to understand the academic discussion, but also wanting to form their own opinions.

Reviewer: Harry Fenner Crawley
MA Theology, Community Engagement Manager for Bible Society, Bristol-based Bible-lover and landscape gardener: X - @CrawleyFenner