User Guide

Commentaries

Primary Sources and Related Works

Textual Criticism

Lexicons

Theological Dictionaries and Word Studies

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Atlases, Geography, and Topography

OT Introductions

Old Testament Background, History, and Archaeology

Old Testament Theology

Biblical Theology

The Greek NT

Greek Grammar

NT Introductions

NT Background Studies

New Testament Theology

Gospels Studies

Studies on Acts

Pauline Studies

Studies on the General Epistles, Hebrews, and Revelation

Hermeneutics and Exegesis

Homiletics

Hermeneutics and Exegesis

Bateman, Herbert W. IV. Interpreting the General Letters: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2013.

Berkhof, Louis. Principles of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003.

Black, David Alan, and David S. Dockery, eds. Interpreting the New Testament: Essays on Methods and Issues. Nashville: B&H, 2001.

*Blomberg, Craig L. A Handbook of New Testament Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010. An informed but very practical, helpful guide to the task of exegesis. 

Bock, Darrell L., and Buist M. Fanning, eds. Interpreting the New Testament Text: Introduction to the Art and Science of Exegesis.Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006.

*Carson, D. A. Exegetical Fallacies. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1996. A classic book that addresses many of the most common mistakes exegetes and pastors make when interpreting the Bible. Should be required reading for any pastor.

Chisholm, Jr., Robert B. Interpreting the Historical Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2006.

Cotterell, Peter, and Max Turner. Linguistics and Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1989.

Curtis, Edward M. Interpreting the Wisdom Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2017.

*DeRouchie, Jason S. How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament: Twelve Steps from Exegesis to Theology. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2017. These comments apply both to this book and its companion on the NT by Andy Naselli (see below). We know of no other book that more clearly, comprehensively, and winsomely lays out the steps of interpretation from exegesis to theology and application than these volumes. What particularly sets these books apart is their utility for readers at virtually any level, from the normal reader wanting to do serious Bible study to the student beginning to utilize his original language training. This is now the first book we’d recommend to any pastor wanting to refresh (or reconstruct) his exegetical method. 

Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012.

Fee, Gordon D. New Testament Exegesis: A Handbook for Students and Pastors. 3rd ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2002.

Futato, Mark D. Interpreting the Psalms: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2007.

Goldsworthy, Graeme. Gospel-Centered Hermeneutics: Foundations and Principles of Evangelical Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2010.

Kaiser, Walter C. Toward an Exegetical Theology: Biblical Exegesis for Preaching and Teaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1998.

Kaiser, Walter C., and Moisés Silva. Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.

Klein, William W., Craig L. Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.

*Köstenberger, Andreas J., and Richard D. Patterson. Invitation to Biblical Interpretation: Exploring the Hermeneutical Triad of History, Literature, and Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2011. This meaty textbook (almost 900 pp.), co-authored by an OT and a NT professor, is at once accessible and thorough, addressing both hermeneutical theory (e.g., issues such as canon and genre) and the actual practice of interpretation. One should not be put off by the subtitle, which simply recognizes the importance of taking into account historical, literary, and theological dimensions of any text. Pastors will find great help in reviewing fundamentals of interpretation when approaching a new genre in their preaching. 

Longman, Tremper, III. Literary Approaches to Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.

Marshall, I. Howard. New Testament Interpretation: Essays on Principles and Methods. Carlisle, PA: Eerdmans, 1977.

McCartney, Dan, and Charles Clayton. Let the Reader Understand: A Guide to Interpreting and Applying the Bible. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2002.

McKnight, Scot. Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1988.

———. Introducing New Testament Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001.

*Naselli, Andrew David. How to Understand and Apply the New Testament: Twelve Steps from Exegesis to Theology. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R, 2017. These comments apply both to this book and its companion on the OT by Jason DeRouchie (see above). We know of no other book that more clearly, comprehensively, and winsomely lays out the steps of interpretation from exegesis to theology and application than these volumes. What particularly sets these books apart is their utility for readers at virtually any level, from the normal reader wanting to do serious Bible study to the student beginning to utilize his original language training. This is now the first book we’d recommend to any pastor wanting to refresh (or reconstruct) his exegetical method.

Osborne, Grant R. The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2006.

*Plummer, Robert L. 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2010. A very clear introduction to foundational aspects of hermeneutics.

*Piper, John. Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017. Unlike typical hermeneutics texts or exegetical handbooks, this book—the second in Piper’s trilogy on Scripture—inspires the reader as to the ultimate goal of reading the Bible is—the exaltation of God’s infinite worth and beauty in our hearts. Piper then excites faith by exploring the necessarily supernatural nature of Bible-reading. Finally, the book equips us in the task of supernatural reading with the fullest use of our natural powers. For pastors called to specialize in the Bible, this is one of Piper’s most important books.  

Porter, Stanley E, ed. A Handbook to the Exegesis of the New Testament. Leiden: Brill, 1997.

Poythress, Vern S. Reading the Word of God in the Presence of God: A Handbook for Biblical Interpretation. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016.

Ryken, Leland. How to Read the Bible as Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984.

Schreiner, Thomas R. Interpreting the Pauline Epistles. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.

*Silva, Moisés. Biblical Words and Their Meaning: An Introduction to Lexical Semantics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1995. An outstanding treatment of lexical semantics—in brief, how words work—that addresses one of the most abused areas of biblical interpretation.

Smith, Gary V. Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2014.

Stuart, Douglas K. Old Testament Exegesis: A Primer for Students and Pastors. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1984.

Taylor, Richard A. Interpreting Apocalyptic Literature: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2016.

Vogt, Peter T. Interpreting the Pentateuch: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2009.