New Collegeville Bible Commentary Ezra, Nehemiah New Collegeville Bible Commentary Volume 11

Thomas Bolin's commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah provides a wealth of background information as well as insight into the literary construction of this scroll divided into two biblical books. This is a ready introduction for anyone interested in appreciating the history in, as well as the history of the making of, the Bible. Clearly written in a style that maintains the interest of the reader, this commentary succeeds in making an often obscure section of the Bible a lively, relevant and fascinating text. Highly recommended for clergy and laity alike.

Erudite and accessible, this commentary addresses the numerous challenges that arise when one reads Ezra and Nehemiah closely and takes seriously the books' historical context, the wake of the Babylonian exile. By chapter and verse, Thomas Bolin shows how the missions of these two biblical figures paralleled and complemented each other with a common emphasis on theological themes such as repentance, renewal and reconstruction. Bolin's commentary is essential reading for all who seek a deeper and fuller understanding of a seminal period in biblical history, the fifth century BC when Ezra and then Nehemiah helped chart the course of the Judean community.