The church fathers displayed considerable interest in the early chapters of Genesis, and often wrote detailed commentaries or preached series of homilies on the Hexameron--the Six Days of Creation--among them Eustathius of Antioch, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Theodore of Mopsuestia, Ambrose, John Chrysostom and Augustine. This volume of Ancient Christian Texts offers a first-time English translation of Severian of Gabala's In cosmogoniam and a fresh translation of a portion of Bede the Venerable's Libri quatuor in principium Genesis. Severian, bishop of Gabala in Syria, who early on was a friend of John Chrysostom, later turned against him and opposed him at the Synod of Oak in 403. Though displaying his own strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, Severian still represents the so-called Antiochene school with its preference for literal over allegorical interpretation of texts. The text derives from the six homilies found in Migne's Patrologia graeca, volume 56, together with a seventh homily found only in the 1613 Eton edition of John Chrysostom's works, edited by Henry Savile, and falsely attributed to Chrysostom. These homilies have been ably translated with explanatory notes by Robert C. Hill. The commentary from Bede the Venerable derives from Book I of his four-book commentary on Genesis from the account of creation to the casting out of Ishmael. Bede was a polymath--teacher, computist, exegete, historian--and one of the foremost scholars from Anglo-Saxon England. As a teacher, Bede strove to hand on the tradition of the church in a form easily understood by those who might not be well educated. These early chapters in Genesis provided teaching on creation, human origins, sin and redemption. The text deriving from Corpus Christianorum Latina is ably translated with explanatory notes by Carmen Hardin.

The Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries series collects the best and most trusted Eerdmans commentaries from years gone by in a format that will make them available to readers for years to come. Some of the ECBC volumes were originally published in major commentary series, others as freestanding books. Some were first published decades ago, others more recently. Though written over the years for various levels of readers, the Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries all have this in common: pastors, scholars, and serious students of the Bible continue to read them, study them, and rely on them to help unlock the meaning and message of the Scriptures.

Originally published in 1987 as part of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series, this commentary by Pieter Verhoef offers a thorough exegesis and exposition of Haggai and Malachi and highlights the ongoing relevance of their prophetic messages for the Christian church. Bringing his knowledge of the ancient Near East, the Old Testament, and biblical scholarship to bear, Verhoef displays the theological acumen and pastoral sensitivity that have made this commentary a standard resource for students, scholars, and pastors alike.

A fascinating commentary on one of the most difficult of the Old Testament prophets.