Job, ESV Expository Commentary

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingTop choice
Bible Book: Job
Publisher: Crossway
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Looking for alternatives? Compare Job commentaries.

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.5/10

A practical mid level resource for Job that keeps us anchored in the text.

Publication Date(s): 2020
Pages: 576
ISBN: 9781433546402
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.5/10
We find Douglas Sean O’Donnell attentive to context in Job, following the flow of the passage and keeping the main point in view.
Christ Centredness: 8.2/10
We are helped to preach Christ from Job with restraint and confidence, tracing promise and fulfilment without forcing connections.
Depth of Insight: 8.4/10
We gain solid insight into structure and themes, with enough engagement to sharpen our judgement for preaching and teaching.
Clarity of Writing: 8.7/10
The writing is clear and well organised, making it workable for weekly preparation and easy to consult in the study.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.6/10
The commentary repeatedly helps us move from explanation to congregational use, with application that is direct, wise, and not gimmicky.
Readability: 8.4/10
It is substantial, but it is paced for pastors and teachers, and it rewards steady use over time.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
576 pages
Type
Expository (Mid-Level)
Theo. Perspective
Broadly Evangelical
Overall score
8.5 / 10
Strength
Workable blend of explanation and application without gimmicks.
Limitation
Not designed for exhaustive original language discussion.

In Job, ESV Expository Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell helps us trace the message of Job with patience and balance. The series is designed for pastors and teachers, so it keeps explanation moving toward proclamation. Volume 4.

We are helped by the way the commentary keeps the passage in front of us. It does not try to impress, it tries to serve, and that makes it easier to use with confidence.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own it because it helps us do the basic work well. It keeps the main line of the passage in view, it highlights patterns worth preaching, and it guards us from hobby horses and clever shortcuts.

It is especially useful when we are planning a series. The outlines and section summaries help us decide where to linger, where to move more quickly, and what the congregation most needs to hear.

When we need deeper detail, we can add a more technical work alongside it. Even then, this volume often gives the clearest path from study to sermon shape.

Closing Recommendation

We commend Job, ESV Expository Commentary for regular ministry use. It will not replace slow work in the text, but it will sharpen it and steady it.

Used alongside prayerful study, it helps us speak with greater clarity and conviction, and it keeps our application tied to the text.

As pastoral next steps, we can visit the Bible Book Overview, browse Top Recommendations, and use the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser working library.


Where to buy
exlib_wtb_inserted

Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Top choice

Build your shelf for this Bible book

Top picks connected to this Bible book, plus a few trusted global staples.

Commentary

Bible Atlas

Reviewed by

An Expositor

↑ Back to the top
Previous review: Job  |  Next review: Job