ESV Study Bible

To understand the Bible in a deeper way.

Try the ESV Online Study Bible. Free Preview.

  • Contributors

    The ESV Study Bible was created by a team of 95 outstanding evangelical Bible scholars and teachers. They were chosen, first, because of their deep commitment to the truth, authority, and sufficiency of God’s Word; and, second, because of their expertise in teaching and understanding the Bible. The team of contributors comes from 9 countries, representing nearly 20 denominations and more than 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities.

    Editorial Oversight Team

    The following people comprise the Editorial Oversight Committee, which developed the concept, selected the 95 contributors, and provided general oversight and final approval of the content and design of the ESV Study Bible.

    Executive Editor
    Lane T. Dennis
    Ph.D., Northwestern University
    Chair of the ESV Translation Oversight Committee, President, Crossway Books and Bibles
    General Editor
    Wayne Grudem
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary
    Theological Editor
    J. I. Packer
    D. Phil., University of Oxford
    Professor of Theology, Regent College (Vancouver, Canada)
    Old Testament Editor
    C. John Collins
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Professor and Chair of the Old Testament Department, Covenant Theological Seminary
    New Testament Editor
    Thomas R. Schreiner
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Project Director, Managing Editor
    Justin Taylor
    B.A., University of Northern Iowa
    Associate Publisher, Crossway Books and Bibles

    Study Note Contributors

    The following people were responsible for writing the ESV Study Bible notes for the book or books of the Bible indicated after their names. In many cases more than one person contributed to the writing of the notes for specific books, and the notes for each of the books involved many levels of review and editing. The final notes as they appear in the ESV Study Bible, therefore, are the result of a collaborative effort of many people. The Publisher and the Editorial Oversight Committee wish to express their enormous appreciation to all of the Study Note Contributors for their tremendous contribution to the creation of the ESV Study Bible.

    T. Desmond Alexander – Genesis
    Ph.D., The Queen’s University of Belfast
    Director for Christian Training, Union Theological College (Belfast, Northern Ireland)
    Clinton Arnold – Colossians, Philemon
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Professor of New Testament Language and Literature; Chair of the New Testament Department, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
    Brian Aucker – Joel, Micah, Haggai
    Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
    Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    David Baker – Zephaniah
    Ph.D., University of London
    Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Ashland Theological Seminary
    Paul Barker – Deuteronomy
    Ph.D., University of Gloucestershire
    Vicar, Holy Trinity Doncaster; Visiting Lecturer in Old Testament, Ridley College, Melbourne
    S. M. Baugh – Ephesians
    Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
    Professor of New Testament, Westminster Seminary California
    Hans Bayer – Mark
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Associate Professor of New Testament Studies, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Ronald Bergey – Ruth
    Ph.D., Dropsie University
    Professeur d’Hébreu et d’Ancient Testament, Faculté Libre de Théologie Réformée (France)
    David W. Chapman – Hebrews
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary
    C. John Collins – Psalms, Song of Solomon
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Professor and Chair of Old Testament Department, Covenant Theological Seminary
    John Currid – Leviticus
    Ph.D., University of Chicago
    Carl W. McMurray Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte, NC)
    Iain Duguid – Daniel, Zechariah
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Professor of Religion, Grove City College
    Mark Futato – Jonah
    Ph.D., The Catholic University of America
    Robert L. Maclellan Professor of Old Testament; Academic Dean, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando, FL)
    Simon Gathercole – Galatians
    Ph.D., University of Durham
    Lecturer in New Testament, University of Cambridge
    Duane A. Garrett – Proverbs
    Ph.D., Baylor University
    John R. Sampey Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Wayne Grudem – Luke
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary
    Scott Hafemann – 2 Corinthians
    D.Theol., Eberhard-Karls-Universitat Tubingen
    Mary F. Rockefeller Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
    Kenneth Laing Harris – Exodus, Job, Proverbs
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Visiting Instructor in Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Paul House – Jeremiah, Lamentations
    Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Professor of Divinity; Associate Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
    David M. Howard Jr. – Judges
    Ph.D., The University of Michigan
    Professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN)
    Gordon Hugenberger – Malachi
    Ph.D., C.N.A.A., College of Sts. Paul & Mary, The Oxford Centre for Post-Graduate Hebrew Study
    Senior Minister, Park Street Church (Boston, MA); Ranked Adjunct Professor of Old Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
    Dennis Johnson – Revelation
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Professor of Practical Theology; Academic Dean, Westminster Seminary California
    Brian Kelly – 1 and 2 Chronicles
    Ph.D., University of Bristol
    Nobuyoshi Kiuchi – Leviticus
    Ph.D., The Council for National Academic Awards
    Professor of Old Testament, Tokyo Christian University
    August Konkel – Job
    Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary
    President; Professor of Old Testament, Providence College & Seminary (Otterburne, Manitoba, Canada)
    Andreas J. Köstenberger – John
    Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Professor of New Testament and Greek; Director of Ph.D. and Th.M. Studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
    V. Philips Long – Joshua
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Professor of Old Testament, Regent College (Vancouver, Canada)
    Dennis Magary – Micah
    Ph.D., University of Wisconsin at Madison
    Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages; Chair of the Old Testament and Semitic Languages Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Walter Maier III – Nahum
    Ph.D., Harvard University
    Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (Ft. Wayne, IN)
    J. Gordon McConville – Ezra, Nehemiah
    Ph.D., University of Sheffield
    Professor in Old Testament, University of Gloucestershire
    Sean McDonough – Philippians
    Ph.D., University of St. Andrews
    Associate Professor of New Testament, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
    Colin Nicholl – 1 and 2 Thessalonians
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. – Isaiah
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Senior Pastor, Immanuel Church (Nashville, TN)
    Grant Osborne – James
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Doug Oss – 2 Peter, Jude
    Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary
    Professor of Bible Exposition; Director of the Cordas C. Burnett Center for Biblical Preaching, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
    John Oswalt – Amos
    Ph.D., Brandeis University
    Research Professor of Old Testament, Wesley Biblical Seminary
    John Polhill – Acts
    Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Iain Provan – 1 and 2 Kings
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Marshall Sheppard Professor of Biblical Studies, Regent College (Vancouver, Canada)
    Paul Raabe – Obadiah
    Ph.D., The University of Michigan
    Professor of Exegetical Theology; Chairman of the Department of Exegetical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (Saint Louis, MO)
    David J. Reimer – Ezekiel
    D.Phil., University of Oxford
    Senior Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies, The University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, New College
    Max F. Rogland – Ecclesiastes
    Ph.D., Leiden University
    Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Erskine Theological Seminary (Columbia, SC)
    Thomas R. Schreiner – Luke, Romans, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Jay Sklar – Leviticus
    Ph.D., The University of Gloucestershire
    Associate Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Andrew Stewart – Song of Solomon
    M.A., Covenant Theological Seminary
    Frank Thielman – 1 Corinthians
    Ph.D., Duke University
    Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
    David Toshio Tsumura – 1 and 2 Samuel
    Ph.D., Brandeis University
    Professor of Old Testament, Japan Bible Seminary (Tokyo, Japan)
    Ray Van Neste – 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Associate Professor of Christian Studies; Director, R. C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, Union University
    Robert I. Vasholz – Hosea
    Th.D., University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
    Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Barry G. Webb – Esther
    Ph.D., University of Sheffield
    Research Fellow in Old Testament, Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
    Paul D. Wegner – Daniel, Habakkuk
    Ph.D., University of London
    Professor of Old Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    Gordon Wenham – Numbers
    Ph.D., King’s College, University of London
    Adjunct Professor, Trinity Theological College (Bristol)
    Michael Wilkins – Matthew
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
    Robert Yarbrough – 1, 2, and 3 John
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Associate Professor of New Testament; Chair of the New Testament Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

    Article Contributors

    The following is the list of the articles included in the ESV Study Bible. The title of the article is listed first, followed by the author.

    Introduction: A User’s Guide to the ESV Study Bible
    Lane T. Dennis
    Ph.D., Northwestern University
    President, Crossway Books and Bibles
    Wayne Grudem
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary
    How to Interpret the Bible
    Daniel Doriani
    Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary
    Senior Pastor, Central Presbyterian Church (St. Louis, MO)
    Overview of the Bible (Survey of the History of Salvation)
    Vern Poythress
    D.Theol., University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
    Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary
    Reading the Bible Theologically
    J. I. Packer
    D.Phil., University of Oxford
    Professor of Theology, Regent College (Vancouver, Canada)
    Reading the Bible as Literature
    Leland Ryken
    Ph.D., University of Oregon
    Professor of English, Wheaton College
    Reading the Bible for Application
    David Powlison
    Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
    Counselor, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation; Adjunct Professor, Westminster Theological Seminary
    Reading the Bible, Prayer, and Communion with God
    John Piper
    D. Theol., University of Munich
    Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church (Minneapolis, MN)
    Reading the Bible with the Church
    John Hannah
    Ph.D., University of Texas at Dallas
    Research Professor of Theological Studies; Distinguished Professor of Historical Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary
    The Bible’s Use in Preaching and Public Worship
    R. Kent Hughes
    D.Min., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church (Wheaton, IL)
    God’s Plan for Salvation
    Mark Dever
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Washington, DC)
    The Theology of the Old Testament
    C. John Collins
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Professor and Chair of the Old Testament Department, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Introduction to the Pentateuch
    Gordon Wenham
    Ph.D., King’s College, University of London
    Adjunct Professor, Trinity College (Bristol)
    Introduction to the Historical Books
    David M. Howard Jr.
    Ph.D., The University of Michigan
    Professor of Old Testament, Bethel Seminary (St. Paul, MN)
    Introduction to the Poetic and Wisdom Literature
    David J. Reimer
    D.Phil., University of Oxford
    Senior Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies, The University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, New College
    Introduction to the Prophetic Books
    Paul House
    Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Associate Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
    The Time Between the Testaments
    J. Julius Scott Jr.
    Ph.D., University of Manchester
    Jewish Groups at the Time of the New Testament
    John DelHousaye
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Assistant Professor of New Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    The Roman Empire and the Greco-Roman World at the Time of the New Testament
    David W. Chapman
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary
    The Theology of the New Testament
    Tom Schreiner
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Reading the Gospels and Acts
    Darrell Bock
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Research Professor of New Testament Studies; Professor of Spiritual Development and Culture, Dallas Theological Seminary
    Reading the Epistles
    Thomas R. Schreiner
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    The Canon of the Old Testament
    Roger Beckwith
    D.D. (Lambeth), University of Oxford
    The Canon of the New Testament
    Charles E. Hill
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando, FL)
    The Septuagint
    Peter Gentry
    Ph.D., University of Toronto
    Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    The Apocrypha
    Roger Beckwith
    D.D. (Lambeth), University of Oxford
    The Reliability of the Old Testament Manuscripts
    Paul D. Wegner
    Ph.D., University of London
    Professor of Old Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    The Reliability of the New Testament Manuscripts
    Daniel B. Wallace
    Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary
    Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary; Director, The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts
    Archaeology, Ancient History, and the Reliability of the Old Testament
    John Currid
    Ph.D., University of Chicago
    Carl W. McMurray Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte, NC)
    Archaeology, Ancient History, and the Reliability of the New Testament
    David W. Chapman
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary
    The Original Languages of the Bible: Hebrew and Aramaic
    Peter J. Williams
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Warden, Tyndale House (Cambridge)
    The Original Languages of the Bible: Greek
    David Alan Black
    D.Theol., University of Basel, Switzerland
    Professor of New Testament and Greek, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
    How the New Testament Quotes and Interprets the Old Testament
    C. John Collins
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Professor and Chair of the Old Testament Department, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Overview of Biblical Ethics (12 Articles)
    Wayne Grudem
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Research Professor of Bible and Theology, Phoenix Seminary
    Daniel R. Heimbach
    Ph.D., Drew University
    Professor of Christian Ethics, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
    C. Ben Mitchell
    Ph.D., University of Tennessee
    Associate Professor of Bioethics and Contemporary Culture, Trinity International University
    Craig Mitchell
    Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Assistant Professor of Ethics, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Overview of Theology (13 Articles)
    Erik Thoennes
    Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University
    The Bible and Contemporary Judaism
    Marvin R. Wilson
    Ph.D., Brandeis University
    The Bible and Islam
    Timothy Tennent
    Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
    Professor of World Missions and Indian Studies; Director of Missions Programs, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
    Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Gordon College
    The Bible and Other Religions
    Harold Netland
    Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School
    Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies; Naomi A. Fausch Chair of Missions, Trinity International University
    The Bible and Religious Cults
    Ron Rhodes
    Th.D., Dallas Theological Seminary
    President, Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries
    Roman Catholicism
    Gregg R. Allison
    Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Associate Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Eastern Orthodoxy
    Robert Letham
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Lecturer, Wales Evangelical School of Theology
    Liberal Protestantism
    Bruce Ware
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Evangelical Protestantism
    Bruce Ware
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Evangelical Protestantism and Global Christianity
    Harold Netland
    Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School
    Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies; Naomi A. Fausch Chair of Missions, Trinity International University

    Other Contributors and Consultants

    The ESV Study Bible benefited greatly from the contributions made by a wide range of other contributors and consultants. The following list first indicates the specific kind of contribution, followed by a list of those who contributed or consulted in this area.

    Literary Features Editor
    Leland Ryken
    Ph.D., University of Oregon
    Professor of English, Wheaton College
    Old Testament Charts and Timelines Consultants
    Brian Aucker
    Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
    Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Gregory Perry
    Ph.D., Union Theological Seminary (Richmond, VA)
    Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Paul Wegner
    Ph.D., University of London
    Professor of Old Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    Kenneth Laing Harris
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Visiting Instructor in Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    New Testament Charts and Timelines Consultants
    James M. Hamilton Jr.
    Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Associate Professor of Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    John Delhousaye
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Assistant Professor of New Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    Cartographer
    David Barrett
    www.biblemapper.com
    Geography Editor
    Barry Beitzel
    Ph.D., University of Dropsie
    Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Old Testament Archaeology Editor
    John Currid
    Ph.D., University of Chicago
    Carl W. McMurray Professor of Old Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte, NC)
    New Testament Archaeology Editor
    David W. Chapman
    Ph.D., University of Cambridge
    Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Illustrator
    Maltings Partnership
    Derby, England
    Archaeological and Architectural Reconstruction Editor
    Leen Ritmeyer
    Ph.D., University of Manchester
    Ritmeyer Archaeological Design
    Archaeological Consultant
    James K. Hoffmeier
    Ph.D., University of Toronto
    Professor of Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History and Archaeology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    History of Salvation Notes
    Vern Poythress
    D.Theol., University of Stellenbosch (South Africa)
    Professor of New Testament Interpretation, Westminster Theological Seminary
    Assistant Editor for Research
    Travis Buchanan
    M.Div., Phoenix Seminary
    Old Testament Consultants
    Brian Aucker
    Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
    Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Kenneth Laing Harris
    Ph.D., University of Liverpool
    Visiting Instructor in Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
    Paul House
    Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Professor of Divinity; Associate Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
    David J. Reimer
    D.Phil., University of Oxford
    Senior Lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament Studies, The University of Edinburgh School of Divinity, New College
    Gordon Wenham
    Ph.D., King’s College, University of London
    Adjunct Professor, Trinity Theological College (Bristol)
    New Testament Consultants
    Darrell Bock
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Research Professor of New Testament Studies; Professor of Spiritual Development and Culture, Dallas Theological Seminary
    John DelHousaye
    Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Assistant Professor of New Testament, Phoenix Seminary
    Grant Osborne
    Ph.D., University of Aberdeen
    Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
    Robert H. Stein
    Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
    Senior Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Ethics Consultant
    Robert Gagnon
    Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary
    Associate Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
    Cults Consultant
    Robert M. Bowman Jr.
    M.A., Fuller Theological Seminary
    Executive Director, Institute for Religious Research