Leupold Old Testament Commentaries: Genesis
Overview
Leupold’s first volume in his two volume set of expositions on Genesis begins with a lucid introduction that discusses authorship, historicity, literary criticism, interpretation, and provides an outline of Genesis’ fifty chapters. Then beginning with creation and ending with the destruction of Sodom Dr. Leupold exhibits sound exegesis and a firm grasp on Hebraic linguistics. H.C. Leupold’s Exposition of Genesis made Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly’s best commentaries on the book of Genesis beside Luther’s works on Genesis. The second volume of Leupold’s work in Genesis begins with Abraham and Sarah at Gerar and continues through the story of Joseph at the close of the book. Leupold wraps up his commentary on Genesis with the same sort of sensible analysis that earned him a place in 1936’s Who’s Who In The Clergy.
Top Highlights
“The fact that the promise of God does not become a reality leads Abram and his wife to take recourse to human ingenuity.” (Page 493)
“Consequently, this passage teaches creatio ex nihilo, ‘creation out of nothing,’ a doctrine otherwise also clearly taught by the Scriptures; Rom. 4:17; Heb. 11:3; cf. also Ps. 33:6, 9; Amos 4:13. The verb is never used of other than divine activity.” (Page 41)
“The separation from Lot is a necessity growing out of deeper reasons than those usually cited.” (Page 430)
“God’s displeasure had revealed to Cain a reprehensible state of heart.” (Page 198)
“Since the contrast is so marked, there can be no doubt that the significant words ‘of the first-born’ and ‘some of the fat pieces’ in addition to ‘of his flock’ aim to show a distinguishing feature of this sacrifice. Since one merely gave of what he had acquired, but the other gave ‘firstlings’ and ‘fat pieces’ of what he had acquired, it is evident that the one gave because it was time and custom to give—pure formalism; whereas the other gave the best—pure, devout worship.” (Page 196)