Judges

by Mark J. Boda, Mary L. Conway

Summary

We review Judges by Mark J. Boda and Mary L. Conway, published by Zondervan in the Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series. This substantial volume—well over 900 pages—offers a disciplined, text-driven approach designed for pastors, teachers and serious students who want to understand the structure, flow and theology of Judges. It is a commentary written with academic precision but shaped with ministry use in mind.

The authors combine original-language engagement, discourse analysis and theological reflection in a format that walks through the book of Judges unit by unit. Each section provides translation, movement through the Hebrew text, an explanation of structure, and reflections on canonical significance. This makes it an excellent resource for those who want more than surface-level exposition while still needing clarity for sermon preparation.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

First, this commentary excels in helping the reader understand the internal logic and literary design of Judges. The book is not simply a sequence of isolated stories; it is a spiralling narrative of Israel’s increasing moral collapse and God’s persistent, gracious intervention. Boda and Conway make this structure clear, showing how each judge contributes to the overall theological burden of the book. For Reformed preachers, this helps illuminate themes of covenant faithfulness, human depravity and the need for a righteous king.

Second, its handling of the Hebrew text is robust without becoming inaccessible. The authors consistently explain textual decisions, structural markers and linguistic features in a way that benefits pastors who may not be fluent in Hebrew but desire depth. Their work fosters confidence: when preparing a sermon, you have a trusted companion who helps you understand not only what the text says but why it is written the way it is.

Third, this commentary is particularly strong in its theological reflections. The cyclical pattern of sin, judgment and deliverance in Judges is traced with care, helping preachers draw out redemptive-historical trajectories without forcing connections. While the Christological implications are not always explicitly developed, they are present—especially in the movement from flawed human deliverers to the need for a true and righteous Deliverer.

Closing Recommendation

We warmly recommend this commentary for pastors, elders, teachers and students committed to preaching or teaching Judges with clarity and conviction. Its depth, structural analysis and theological integrity make it one of the stronger modern resources for handling this challenging book.

If you are looking for a lighter, devotional-style commentary, this volume may feel demanding. But for those who want to honour the Hebrew text and shepherd their congregation through the message of Judges with seriousness and insight, this commentary is a worthy investment.

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