2 Chronicles: A Commentary (Hermeneia)

This volume completes Ralph Klein's magisterial commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles. Klein incorporates the breakthroughs of the last half-century of research. He shows that the Chronicler used a text of Kings significantly different from the Masoretic Text; argues that the Chronicler's departures from the historical picture of Kings result from a distinctive theological agenda for fourth-century Judah; and explores the contours of that messagewhat it meant to live faithfully, to participate in temple and worship life, in the absence of political independence. Review: "A lifetime studying Chronicles comes to its full fruition in this comprehensive commentary on a biblical book that is often overlooked. Klein's deep penetration into the text and meaning of Chronicles is unexcelled in the English language and provides the reader of the book all that he or she needs to understand and expound the meaning of the text. It will be the standard against which other commentaries on Chronicles are measured for years to come." --Patrick D. Miller, Princeton Theological Seminary ". . . meticulous and lucid interpretations of everything there is to be pondered at in that eminently theological composition of the postexilic period. Text, ancient manuscripts and versions, English translation, literary growth, forms, history, near eastern geography and ethnology, geo-politics, archaeological evidence, theological concepts the author pays scrupulous attention to every bit of significant testimony . . . [and] produces priceless insights for everyone interested in Hebrew Scriptures and biblical theology." --Erhard S. Gerstenberger, Emeritus, Marburg University From the Back Cover: Ralph W. Klein's magisterial commentary on 1 and 2 Chronicles is now complete. Klein brings to lively expression the unique theological voice of the Chronicler and demonstrates there have been far fewer secondary additions to the text than is normally assumed. 2 Chronicles takes full advantage of recent scholarship in the textual history of Samuel and Kings, demonstrating in many cases that the differences often ascribed to the Chronicler came in fact from the divergent copy of the canonical books he was rewriting.