Best Commentaries on Micah

“For those seeking a good introductory-level commentary on Micah, Mathison” states, “there is probably no better place to start than with David Prior’s volume in the BST series.”

Timmer is especially good at helping the English reader understand the literary structure of Micah’s messages to Jerusalem and Samaria. When readers see the structure, they’ll better understand the primary message of each section as well.

The author’s combination of a careful literary reading of the text with a robust biblical-theological and canonical reading produces an outstanding commentary. Mathison gives this overview of the commentary’s two parts: “After discussing questions of structure and authorship in his introduction, Dempster systematically works through the text, drawing links to the broader biblical story throughout. In the second part of his commentary, Dempster offers theological discussion that further explicates the most significant themes in Micah and their applicability to today’s Christians.”

Hoyt examines the theological themes of divine justice, mercy, judgment, and repentance in the book of Micah, revealing the complexity of the relationship between God and his people. Her close reading of the text gives us a scholarly and applicable exploration for the church.

Bruce Waltke’s commentary on Micah in this volume makes the underlying Hebrew grammar and literary structure of the book clear for the English reader. His focus on grammar isn’t merely academic but is intricately tied to the exegesis and application of each of the book’s section, making this commentary a strong foundation for faithful proclamation.

One of the most thorough treatments of the secondary literature on Micah available. “Although written from a more critical perspective than Waltke,” Mathison observes, this commentary “is worth consulting by those doing in-depth study of the book.” Longman agrees, “The authors, both senior members of the guild of Old Testament studies, have thoroughly researched the book and also canvassed the secondary literature. The exegetical conclusions are not always satisfying, and the authors have little interest in broader theological issues, but for what it is, it is excellent.”

Ben Zvi’s work on the literary forms of Micah is very helpful given the challenging nature of Micah’s poetic structures. Longman writes, “ben Zvi has produced the most comprehensive analysis of the form-critical nature of the prophet. He has some very interesting comments on the fact that Micah is a book that is constantly reread. Even those who will not accept the conclusions of his analysis— and many evangelicals will not— will still find this commentary a useful compendium of other people’s opinions.”

An intensely comprehensive and delightfully insightful commentary on Micah with even greater detail than in the author’s work in either the TGC Bible Commentary or McComiskey’s The Minor Prophets. Longman extols Waltke, “He addresses both interpretation and application. He discusses all the important interpretive debates and has mastered the secondary literature. While the amount of information and the detail of his interpretation appeals mainly to professionals, the motivated layperson will also find this helpful.” Mathison adds, “There is no contemporary commentator . . . who is more well-versed in the book of Micah than Bruce Waltke. It is a must-have for serious study of the book.”