2. The modem Germans, prolific as they are in theo- logical works, have seldom ventured to undertake an exposition of the whole Bible. Each writer usually (confines himself to the task of commenting on a tew books. In this their wisdom is manifested. Yet they do not usually excel in good specimens of commen- tary, at least in the more sacred elements. They are toord'explainers. In pointing out various readings, in
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grammatical, historical, and geographical annotationa, as also in sabtle speculations respecting the genius of the times \j\ which the writers of the Bible lived, they are at home. In the lower critidtm we willingly sit at their feet and learn. But with regard to the ^^4- 0r, in all tliat pertains to the hffie of commentaiy, in development of the sense in its holy relations, the great majority of them are lamentably wanting. Be- fined notions usurp the place of practical piety in their minds ; and the minutin of verbal criticism ftimish them nutriment apart from the rich refuist of theolog- ical sentiment and sanctifying truth. But there are some noble exceptions, several of which are designated above.
One of the most complete and recent series of Ger- man commentaries (although somewhat meagre in de- Uil) is that published by Hirzel (Leipzig, 1841-^7), consisting of a Kurzefasstes exegeiuchu Handbuckf on the Old Test, by Hitzig, Hirzel, Thenius, Knobel, Bertheau, and J. Olshausen (m 16 vols. 8vo) ; on the New Test by De Wette, with additions by Bruckner, Messner, and LQcke ^ 11 vols. 8vo) ; on the Apoc- rypha by Fritzsche and Grimm (in 5 vols. 8vo). A most copious and (in the German sense) valuable se- ries is also the KriHtch eaeegetitcker KommmUtr gum Neuen Testameni^ by Dr. H. A. W. Meyer and others (Gdtt. in 16 pts. lately completed, with new eds. of the earlier portions). Another is the Exeg, Handb. zu den Briefen des Apostelt Paulug, by A. Bisping (Monster, 1858) ; and still more deserving of notice. Die Heilige 8chr\fty m, £inleU. tf. ewld. Anmerhungeny by Otto von Gerlach (2d ed. BerL 1858) ; to which may be added DiepoeHacken Bucher dee aUen BundeSf erUart^ by H. Ewald (Gdtt 1886-54, 4 vols. 8vo), together with his Drd Ertte Evangelien (ibid. 1851, 8vo), Sendsckreiben dee Pcttdut (ib. 1857, 8vo), Das B, ](job (ih, 1854, 8vo) ; Die Propheten des fdien Btmdes erkldrt (Stuttg. 1842, 2 vols. 8vo), and Commeni. m Apocafypsin (Lips. 1828, 8vo) ; likewise F. W. C. Umbreit's CommetUar Hb. d, Pn^aheten (Hamb. 1842-6, 4 vob. 8vo), Bdmer (Gotha, 1856, 8vo), Psalter (ib. 1848, 8vo), SprQche Salomos (ib. 1826, 8vo), KoheUt (lb. 1820, 8vo), and Hiob, (ib. 1832, 8vo) ; also the Handb. d. Einleit, d, Apocryphei^ by G. Yolkmar (Tab. 1860 sq.). A new series of crit- ical and exegetical commentaries of great value, in German, on the books of the 0. T., is also in progress by Delitzsch and Keil (Lpz. 1861 sq.), which will doubt- less include the substance of those already published by these writers on several of the books (Genesis, Psalms. Canticles, Habakkuk, Joshua, Kings, Chron. separately) ; it is in- course of publication, in an Eng- lish dress, by the Messrs. Clark of Edinburgh.
J. P.'Lange, assisted by several evangelic^ scholars, is also issuing a^series of admirable homiledcal com- mentaries oa the books of the 0. and N. T., of which improved translations are in course of publication in this country, edited by Dr. Schaff ^. T. 1864 sq.). Wetstein's Novum Testame$Uum Grtecum (Amst 1751, 2 vols, fol.), and Grinfield*s Hellenistic EdUio and Schfiia on the New Test (Lond. 1843, 1848, 4 vols. 8vo) af- ford much valuable philological elucidation of the text Bunsen^s Bibekoerk, now in progress of publication (Lpz. 1858 sq. 8vo), although eccentric in many re- spects, has also its valuable exegetical features, espe- cially the new translation of the text
In addition to these, Germany has produced many other specimens of commentary that occupy a high place in the estimation of competent judges, but still remain untranslated. Among these are LQcke on John's writings, especially in the third edition ; Ge- jsenius on Isaiah ; De WeUe on the Psalms ; Fritzsche on Matt, Mark, and Rom. ; B6hr on Colossians ; Phil- ippi on Romans ; Bleek on Hebrews ; Hupfeld on the' Psalms; Gramberg on Chronicles; RQckert on Ro- mans and Corinthians ; Flatt on the Epistles ; Len- gerke on Daniel ; Stier on Acts, Hebrews, James, and JttA^ . H&vemick on Ezekiel and Daniel ; Harless on
Ephesians; Winer Qsk Latin) on Galatiaoa ; (Lat.) on Job and Proverbs ; and Tuch. on Gcnesii: with numerous others, which possess macfa merit, i^ companied, it is true, with some serious &ii]ts. Dl Nast, of Cincinnati, is publishing in this coontry a eom^ mentaiy on the New Test in German on sn exeeOot plan, of which an edition in English is also iaaaed.
8. To these may be added the Americas^ cocm»> taries of Turner on Genesis, Romans, John, Ephfmtmi, Galatians, and Hebrews ; Hackett on Acts ; Moor <b Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi ; Uie notes cf Owm, Whedon, Ripley, Jaoobua, Hodge, and others, on tbi Gospels, Epistles, etc. ; and numerona other less m- portiuit works that might be specified, but wbidi sc given more ftilly under the respective books of Scrip- ture. We may also refer to the notes acoompaojiBg the revision of the Engl. Bible now in progrees by tbe Am. Bible Union, as ftimishing much exegetical da> cidation. (See a convenient list of works moat aec«s> sible and useful to American students, with prim attached, and judicious practical hints on the geDcc^ subject of aids to Biblical knowledge, in the MetkoSd Qftar. Bev, April, 1856, p. 288-297.) Notwithstandrng the above somewhat copious statement, it most, hor- ever, be admitted tha^ a convenient and estisfactcaT manual of exposition on the entire Bible, adapted ts the wants of the public in this country, is still a d»> sideratum.