The Word Biblical Commentary is a conservative and scholarly approach to the scriptures. This volume on Exodus by Durham begins with the text and historicity of the book as well as a discussion of past commentaries on this text. This book contains a good bibliography of commentaries and related works. The following commentary discusses the events of Exodus as well as the language and theological issues within this second book of the Pentateuch.

In Exodus 1-18, William H. C. Propp translates the original text in all its grandeur, then provides a masterful exploration and analysis of the book's first eighteen chapters. Here the fate of the Hebrew slaves hangs in the balance of the dramatic conflict between the God of Israel and the Pharaoh of Egypt. From the discovery of Moses in a basket made of bulrushes to the story of the Burning Bush, from the ten plagues visited upon Egypt by God to water from the rock and quail and manna from the skies, Exodus is filled with the miraculous and the dramatic.

God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt is the touchstone saving act in Old Testament history. From it sprang untold ramifications for what it means to be the people of God. In this volume, Propp looks at all facets of God's covenant with Israel, the giving of the law, the building of the tabernacle, and more. He exhaustively examines each individual Hebrew phrase and places the book in its ancient context. Throughout, he adopts the schema of V.I. Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale to highlight the relationship of Yahweh to Moses and Israel. One strong point is the many mini-essays scattered throughout, elucidating major themes and textual questions. Propp is nothing if not thorough, with over 1,000 works listed in the bibliography.

Israel's liberation from bondage to Pharaoh is one of the great turning points in Old Testament history. Defending the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch and the historicity of the plagues and wanderings in the wilderness, Stuart throws considerable light on the book's literary, theological, and sociological dimensions.

Written by four outstanding Torah scholars, the JPS Torah Commentary series represents a fusion of the best of the old and new. Utilizing the latest research to enhance our understanding of the biblical text, it takes its place as one of the most authoritative yet accessible Bible commentaries of our day. The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah. Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field. Every page contains the complete traditional Hebrew text, with cantillation notes, the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures, aliyot breaks, Masoretic notes, and commentary by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar, integrating classical and modern sources. Each volume also contains supplementary essays that elaborate upon key words and themes, a glossary of commentators and sources, extensive bibliographic notes, and maps.