The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah

Fensham’s commentary is slightly more readable than Williams, which is especially helpful for students. [Full Review]

More pastor-friendly than Williamson and Blenkinsopp, with less discussion of text criticism and historical criticism. Still provides enough depth to feel sufficient. Could maybe use some revision to engage with some commentaries which have been published since.

Most commentators on the commentaries rate this as the best volume on Ezra and Nehemiah. Fensham takes the traditional approach to the books’ dating, authorship and other elements. His strength is apparently in his emphasis on history and culture. Jim Rosscup says this commentary is “an evangelical effort knowledgeably rich in exegesis with a firm grasp of Hebrew, matters of introduction, and solid explanation of many of the verses.” [Full Review]

A serious commentary; takes a traditional approach to dating, theology, etc.

Ezra and Nehemiah are challenging books for contemporary readers. The best commentaries for those seeking to understand these books are the commentaries by Fensham and Williamson [WBC]. I find Fensham's work somewhat more helpful simply because the NICOT format is much more reader friendly. [Full Review]

Evangelical focus on the historical and archaeological background. [Full Review]