Evaluation

Overall Score: 7.6/10

A strong technical companion that helps us handle the text with greater care and precision.

Publication Date(s): To be confirmed

ISBN: 9780849902048

Faithfulness to the Text: 8.1/10

We find the work careful with the text, patient in argument, and helpful in weighing options without rushing to easy answers.

Christ Centredness: 7.1/10

We do not come here for ready made Christ centred synthesis, but careful exegesis can strengthen our own movement from text to Christ.

Depth of Insight: 8.3/10

We benefit from sustained attention to structure, key terms, and interpretive decisions across extended passages.

Clarity of Writing: 7.4/10

Clear for a technical series, though it assumes we read slowly with the Bible open.

Pastoral Usefulness: 7.5/10

Most useful as an exegetical support that steadies our preparation, best paired with a more directly pastoral commentary.

Readability: 7.2/10

This is dense in places, so it works best in planned study rather than rushed reading.

Summary

At a Glance

Length: —
Type: Exegetical (Technical)
Theo. Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Overall score: 7.6 / 10
Strength: Detailed exegesis that keeps us close to the passage.
Limitation: Less direct help with sermon structure and immediate application.

We find Philip J. Budd’s Numbers a technical Word Biblical Commentary that keeps us close to the text. It is strongest when we need help with structure, key terms, and the flow of argument, especially in passages that reward slow reading.

This is not a sermon ready resource, but it can steady our preparation. It helps us see what is actually there, so our preaching is governed by Scripture rather than habit or guesswork.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary when we want careful exegesis to sit underneath our proclamation. The series aims for detailed engagement, and that can be a real help when we are working through difficult sections or disputed interpretations.

We also benefit when we need a reliable technical check. Used wisely, it can prevent avoidable errors, sharpen our observations, and give us better reasons for the decisions we make in the pulpit.

Because it does not do the whole Christward move for us, we will usually pair it with a more pastorally oriented volume. Even so, stronger text level footing often leads to clearer, more faithful Christ centred preaching.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as an advanced tool for serious study and careful sermon preparation. It serves best as a companion on the desk rather than the only voice we consult.

As pastoral next steps, we can read the Bible Book Overview, consult Top Recommendations, and browse the Reformed Commentary Index to build a wiser shelf.

Where to buy

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