In the New International Commentary: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, F. Charles Fensham carefully walks readers through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah—two books that are central for a correct understanding of the origins of Judaism, particularly the roots of the Pharisees. This serves as invaluable background to Jesus’ interactions with the Jewish authorities in the New Testament.

Fensham is widely regarded for his studies of the ancient Near East, specifically the Ugarit language. He compares/contrasts Ezra and Nehemiah with the ancient Near Eastern world and addresses authorship and the original unity of the two books in his introduction. He deals with matters of historical and religious context, paying heightened attention to the growth of Jewish religion after the Babylonian exile. He then analyzes text and language and concludes with a comprehensive bibliography for readers who want to study further.

For the commentary itself, Fensham works with his own translation of the Biblical text. He doesn’t hesitate to consult of the work of others, however, and shows wise judgment in his translation—not to mention shrewd intuition when it comes to the meaning of these significant Hebrew texts.

New International Commentary on the Old Testament - Series Editor: Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Maneuvering through Levitical laws, bloodshed in Joshua, or Daniel's apocalyptic visions, sincere readers often wonder what the Old Testament means and how it can be the Word of God. For several decades the New International Commentary on the Old Testament has helped countless people traverse this difficult literary terrain.

All 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.