Judges, Ruth

Block’s commentary is nearly a quarter century old, but it remains the standard on Judges and Ruth. Becuase it is thorough, it is a helpful beginning survey for students looking for an overview of the secondary literature on this historical book. [Full Review]

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Daniel Block’s NAC volume on Judges is older, but has become a classic. He follows Webb in more cohesive reading strategies, and builds upon them to offer a thorough and technical commentary that is just as pastoral and convicting as it is rigorous. Block’s careful attention to the structure of the Hebrew text will be a help to any reader working through the book in its original language. [Full Review]

Lived in Israel most of my life. Just felt commentators didn't understand the point of some dialogue. Otherwise, I thought it was mostly average.

My comment does not include Judges. My comment is directed at the book of Ruth, since that's why I bought it. I had hoped for something more insightful. Would love to read something by a more capable commentator (AND I'VE SEARCHED!). So, I can only give this cautious piece of work a tepid two stars.

Another two-for-one deal here, and yet again, I have not read any of the commentary on Ruth. But, yet again, like Chisholm, Block’s commentary on Judges is superb. It’s really bugging me to have this commentary listed as number “3”; it’s just too good to be number 3, but I have Dr. Chisholm as a professor, so he edges out Block because of my personal bias. In all seriousness though, Block’s commentary cannot be overlooked... [Full Review]

Tremper Longman, who has not reviewed Dale Ralph Davis’ volume, gives Block’s commentary a 5-star rating and says, “This contribution is clearly the best thing available on the book of Judges. Block is thoroughly aware of all the literature that precedes his own, and he incorporates what is good and criticizes what is bad.” He also praises Block’s insights along with his literary and theological analysis. This commentary is slightly more advanced and in-depth than Davis’. Block’s commentary covers both Judges and Ruth and is highly recommended for its treatment of both books. Longman gives it a 5-star rating and says “This contribution is clearly the best thing available on the book of Judges [and, Ruth]. Block is thoroughly aware of all the literature that precedes his own, and he incorporates what is good and criticizes what is bad.” He also praises Block’s insights along with his literary and theological analysis. [Full Review]

This commentary certainly deserves its place atop most lists of commentaries for Judges. For the serious student it is highly recommended. That is not to say it is hard to understand or overly technical. The commentary does an excellent job at keeping all technical and scholarly notes in the notes, keeping the commentary itself very readable. Block does a great job at showing why he is choosing to interpret the text the way he does and how each passage fits into the larger themes of the author. I would add, however, that I do not recommend that this be the only commentary you use on Judges. I have found that among even the evangelical commentaries on Judges there is a very wide spectrum on how we should view the character of the judges. Are they heroes or anti-heroes? Are they role-models that we should follow in their faith and devotion to God or are they just as often compromised idol-worshipers whom God just happened to use. Block is much further towards the second of these options. Indeed, I would say too far. Though many of his arguments are convincing, I just as often found myself wondering if he missed the point of the author or went too far in seeing the bad in a character. Are we really to see Gideon as disobedient because he called in help from Ephriam after he had put his enemies to flight? Are we really supposed to conclude that Monoah (Samson's father) is presented as comical, restless, impotent, insecure, jealous, resentful, obtuse, dim-witted, ignorant, and unbelieving? The list could go on. It is hard to see how the writer of Hebrews could see any acts of faith in these judges if Block is completely right. This would not be my first choice in a commentary on Judges. The pastor and beginning student just looking to understand or teach on Judges will be better served by Davis and Wilcox. Block does not have a much help for the pastor (not necessarily a drawback considering the commentary is already quite long). But for the student studying Judges more in depth, Block is a must.

Block is a good commentary writer. This volume is great on Judges and is good on Ruth. He takes a literary view of the material without denying the essential historicity of the events described.

With the book of Judges, I really need two first place "ribbons." For those looking for something more in-depth on the book of Judges, the commentary by Daniel Block in the NAC series is the place to start. It is, by far, the best intermediate-advanced level commentary on the book. If you can only afford one commentary on the Book of Judges, sell something you don't need and get Block to consult along with Davis. Highly recommended. [Full Review]

Christ-centered exposition!

Evangelical, thorough, and detailed exegesis. [Full Review]

Evangelical, thorough, and detailed exegesis. [Full Review]