Lively Commentary on Ruth, Jonah, Esther

Ruth, Jonah, Esther Eugene F. Roop. Believers Church Bible Commentary. Herald Press, 2002. 301 pages.

This is the second commentary Eugene F. Roop has produced for the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series (Genesis). In this new commentary on Ruth, Jonah, and Esther, Roop provides a highly readable commentary that is accessible to the non-specialist, yet remains of much interest to the professional scholar.

Each section opens with an overview that covers topics such as genre, meaning and purpose, and an outline of the major units.

One of the most interesting aspects of this commentary is the attention Roop gives to the interpretation of narrative. He demonstrates an excellent mastery of the narrative genre and leads the reader into an effective application of the method in Ruth, Jonah and Esther. Of particular note in that respect is Roop’s discussion of Jonah’s inherent humorous character (115). The comical dimension of Hebrew narrative is too often ignored by commentators, but in this case, Roop manages to bring it out very clearly.

Roop’s style is clear and lively, but still manages to outline the various dimensions of the most critical questions commentators face in these three books. In his treatment of the complex issue of the literary character of Jonah, the author succeeds in opening a window on the difficult problems involved without, however, getting bogged down.

Though minor, my only reservation is linked to the overall objective of the series to provide a commentary that is explicitly Anabaptist in character. Though I have sympathy for the overall purpose, at times – particularly so in the sections where the author attempts to point to the relevance of the biblical text for the Church or seeks to reflect the Anabaptist perspective – the applications feel “forced”, and the language/categories used will, in my opinion, feel dated in short order (for example, 31–32 and 97).

Sunday school teachers and pastors will find Roop’s commentary particularly useful. I warmly recommend it to all who wish to better understand these important narratives. Eugene F. Roop is president of Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Indiana, and also Wieand Professor of Biblical Studies. He is a member of the Richmond Church of the Brethren.

Pierre Gilbert is associate professor of Bible and theology at MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Cal. and Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.