Biblical commentaries are a vital part of many assignments at the School of Theology. Search the below subject headings in BU Libraries Search to find biblical commentaries, or see a selection by toggling through the tabs.
In addition to searching our catalog, the commentaries are also easily browseable on our shelves. In the Library of Congress call number system, subclass BS is assigned to Biblical Studies.
| Hebrew Bible | New Testament | Apocrypha |
| Genesis BS 1231--1235.5 Exodus BS 1241--1245.5 Leviticus BS 1254--1255.5 Numbers BS 1261-1265.5 Deuteronomy BS 1271-1275.5 Joshua BS 1291-1295.5 Judges BS 1301-1305.5 Ruth BS 1311-1315.5 1-2 Samuel BS 1321-1325.5 1-2 Kings BS 1331-1335.5 1 & 2 Chronicles BS 1341-1345.5 Ezra BS 1351-1355.5 Nehemiah BS 1361 -1365.5 Esther BS 1371-1375.5 Job BS 1411-1415.5 Psalms BS 1418-1451 Proverbs BS 1461-1465.5 Ecclesiastes BS 1471-1475.5 Song of Solomon BS 1481-1485.5 Isaiah BS 1511-1515.5 Jeremiah BS 1521-1524.5 Lamentations BS 1531-1535.5 Ezekiel BS 1541-1545.5 Daniel BS 1551-1555.5 Hosea BS 1561-1565.5 Joel BS 1571-1575.5 Obadiah BS 1591-1595.5 Jonah BS 1601-1605.5 Micah BS 1611-1615.5 Nahum BS1621-1625.5 Habakkuk BS 1631-1635.5 Zephaniah BS 1641-1645.5 Haggai BS 1451-1555.5 Zechariah BS1661-1665.5 Malachi BS1671-1675.5 |
Matthew BS 2570-2575.53 Mark BS 2580-2515.53 Luke BS 2590-2595.53 John BS 2610-2615.53 Acts BS 2620-2625.53 Romans BS 2660-2665.53 1-2 Corinthians BS 2670-2675.53 Galatians BS 2680-2685.53 Ephesians BS 2690-2695.53 Philippians BS 2700-2795.53 Colossians BS 2710-2705.53 1-2 Thessalonians BS 2720-2725.53 1-2 Timothy BS 2740-2745.5 Titus BS 2750-2755.5 Philemon BS 2760-2765.53 Hebrews BS 2770-2775.53 James BS 2780-2785.53 1 & 2 Peter, Jude BS 2790-2795.53 1, 2 & 3 John BS 2800-2805.53 Jude BS 2810-2815.5 Revelation BS 2820-2825.5 |
1-2 Esdras BS 1711-1715.5 Tobit BS 1721-1725.5 Wisdom of Solomon BS 1751-1755.5 Ecclesiasticus BS 1761-1765.5 Baruch BS 1771-1775.5 Susanna BS 1791-1795.5 1,2,3,4 Maccabees BS 1821-1825.5 |
The New Interpreter's Bible by 
Fortress Commentary on the Bible. The New Testament by 
Fortress Commentary on the Bible : The Old Testament and Apocrypha by 
Expositors Bible Commentary by 
Expositor's Bible Commentary, Abridged Edition : Old Testament by 
Expositor's Bible Commentary : Abridged Edition : New Testament by 
Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible by 
The International Bible commentary with the New International Version by 
The Bible and Disability : a commentary by 
Global Bible Commentary by 
Africa Bible Commentary by 
The Africana Bible : reading Israel's Scriptures from Africa and the African diaspora by 
South Asia Bible Commentary by 
A Postcolonial Commentary on the New Testament Writings by 
Connections: a Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship by 
Texts for Preaching : a lectionary commentary, based on the NRSV.
Preaching Through the Christian Year : a comprehensive commentary on the lectionary by 
Psalms for Preaching and Worship : a lectionary commentary by 
Feasting on the Word : preaching the revised common lectionary by 
Preaching God's Transforming Justice : a lectionary commentary, year B by Commentaries get a lot of use from scholars trying to understand specific books and passages of scripture. Commentaries fall directly into the category of Biblical Studies.
However, commentaries are also useful in the areas of practical theology and ministry, where they are a vital resource for homiletics (preaching) and liturgy (worship). Many pastors and other clergy use commentaries to deepen their understanding and response to scripture passages in the lectionary readings. This allows them to present the texts and themes responsibly, with a broader sense of the meaning of (and controversies surrounding) a given pericope (scripture passage).
