Biblical Theology: Past, Present, and Future (I)
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 55, No. 2 – Spring 2013
Managing Editor: Terry L. Wilder
By Victor P. Hamilton. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. 752 Pages. Hardcover, $54.99.
The value of reading works by Victor Hamilton is his skill at making the complex practical and understandable. In this commentary on the book of Exodus, Hamilton has once again carefully and adeptly addressed the text with clarity and precision and produced a volume that is of value for the church as well as the academy.
The stated goal of the work is to engage in the discussion among academia, but also to serve as a resource for pastors (xi). He has accomplished that with relevant interaction with current scholarship and practical application for the church. While the scholarship of the text will make it useful, its very readable style and functional organization make it attractive.
The introduction of the work is brief, but does delineate some of the key themes of the book as well as demonstrate the contemporary relevance of the book of Exodus. At the end of the introduction (xxviii-xxix) Hamilton offers a simple and coherent (rhyming) outline of the book, though it is not the one that he uses in the commentary.
The organization of the commentary is clear and easy to follow. The work includes seven parts that are logically arranged around the key movements in the text. Within each part, the work is divided into smaller pericopies. Each section includes his translation, grammatical and lexical notes, as well as commentary. One of the strengths of the work is the frequent drawing of connections to the rest of Scripture. The commentary includes references to every book in the Old Testament and every chapter in the Pentateuch.
Hamilton demonstrates excellent interaction with the Hebrew in both the notes and commentary sections of the work. He interacts well on most of the critical positions within the book presenting all sides fairly, but offering compelling evidence for the positions he espouses.
Interested readers will find helpful the discussions on the Hebrew midwives (11-16), bridegroom of blood (80-83), the Red Sea (207), the offerings (495-508), and the golden calf incident (529-34), along with an excellent excurses on the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart (170-74).
Some will find the absence of extended discussions on the date of the Exodus, the route of the Exodus, or the numbers of Israelites who left Egypt curious. On the question of the date of the Exodus, Hamilton sort of dismisses the question completely, and refers the reader to others “who have addressed the date of the exodus” (10), though he does recommend a couple of sources that do handle the discussion in detail. With regard to the route, only a brief non-descript reference can be found (206). He does mention the question of the numbers of people who left Egypt three times, twice parenthetically (8, 544) and once simply to conclude that “whatever size the departing body of Israelites is, it is large enough for Pharaoh to say, ‘The Israelites have become more numerous for us/than we’” (194).
The strength of this commentary is seen in its two most extended sections on Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh along with the corresponding plagues (97-196) and the Covenant at Sinai which is climaxed with the Decalogue (291-354). His unique style and insights will challenge students and pastors as they engage the text of Scripture. Those hungry for a fresh approach to the central story of the Exodus will not leave unsatisfied. It will not gather dust on anyone’s bookshelf.
