Summary
John Goldingay’s Jeremiah in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament is a large, careful, and often searching walk through a difficult prophetic book. Jeremiah is long, uneven in tone, and full of sorrow and confrontation, yet Goldingay works steadily through the whole text with his own translation, detailed notes, and sustained exposition. He pays attention to shifts between prose and poetry, to the different kinds of material in the book, and to the way Jeremiah’s words arise out of concrete historical moments in Judah’s final years.
Goldingay is an experienced Old Testament scholar, and that shows. He is willing to engage questions of composition, redaction, and structure, yet he treats Jeremiah as Christian Scripture rather than as an archaeological specimen. The book’s theology of covenant, judgement, mercy, and new heart is brought into view, and he helps readers see how these themes are woven through oracles, narratives, and symbolic actions. This is not a light read, but it is a serious attempt to listen carefully to what Jeremiah actually says and why it still matters.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
If you are planning to preach or teach Jeremiah, this volume gives you something pastors rarely have with this book: a steady guide. When you come to a confusing chapter, a harsh oracle, or a tangled sequence of events, Goldingay maps the terrain, explains the likely flow, and sets out the main interpretive options with reasons. That does not remove all difficulty, but it does mean you are not guessing in the dark when you stand up to preach.
From a Reformed and evangelical perspective, there is much to appreciate and a few things to watch. Goldingay is broadly evangelical in tone and treats Jeremiah as the Word of God, but he is also comfortable with some critical questions about how the book has been shaped. For many pastors that will be acceptable and even stimulating, though some may wish to read with discernment at points where he is more open to complex compositional history. What is encouraging is that he does not hollow out the message of judgement, sin, and grace that runs through the book.
Jeremiah is also a book where Christ centred preaching can feel difficult. Goldingay does not press hard into explicit Christological readings, but he gives you the theological scaffolding you need. The new covenant promises, the theme of a faithful remnant, the hope of restored hearts and a renewed relationship with God, all receive careful attention. A Reformed preacher can then trace how these strands find their fulfilment in Christ and the gospel, without feeling that they are ignoring the text’s own structure and emphasis.
Closing Recommendation
We recommend John Goldingay’s Jeremiah in NICOT as a substantial, thoughtful companion for pastors, students, and serious Bible readers. It is not a quick reference or a sermon outline factory. It is a deep resource that will help you handle Jeremiah with more confidence and more care. Used alongside more explicitly Christ focused and pastoral works, it can play a very valuable role in a well rounded preaching library on the prophets.