LibGuides: Exegesis Resources: Jewish Exegesis

Commentary Series

JPS Torah Commentaries

Each volume in this series from the Jewish Publication Society is written by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar. Commentators interact with both classical and modern Jewish scholarship. Classified as a set: BS 1225.3 .J59 vols. 1-5.

JPS Bible Commentaries

These commentaries are identical in format to the Torah commentaries, but offer commentary on other books within the Hebrew Bible. Classified Individually by Book of the Bible.

Jewish Exegesis

These resources offer Jewish perspectives or commentary on Scripture.

Introductions to Jewish Exegesis:

The Jewish Study Bible by Adele Berlin (Editor); Marc Zvi Brettler (Editor)
Call Number: REF BS 895 .J6 2014
(also available as an eBook)
Sinai and Zion: An Entry into the Jewish Bible by Jon D. Levenson
Call Number: BS 635.2 .L657 1985
A constructive Jewish Biblical Theology from a leading Jewish scholar.
Jewish Biblical Exegesis by Louis Jacobs
Call Number: BS 1186 .J3
This book introduces Jewish exegesis through a survey of major historical figures in Jewish interpretation.
Judaism and the Interpretation of Scripture: Introduction to the Rabbinic Midrash by Jacob Neusner
Call Number: BM 514 .N4956 2004
Details the history and development of Midrash as an approach to scriptural interpretation.
Essays on Biblical Method and Translation by Edward L. Greenstein
Call Number: BS 476 .G815
An introductory biblical methods book written by a Jewish scholar.

Finding Aids:

Books on Judaism are located in the BM section of the library on the upper level.
For historical Jewish interpretations of specific characters in the Bible, try the "In Rabbinical Literature" subject heading.
There are several subject headings for Midrash on a particular book of the Bible. See "Midrash" and browse the list.
Encyclopedia of Midrash: this 2 volume work contains chapters on Midrash approaches to various books of the Bible. REF BM 514 .E56 2005 v.1-2.
Literary Criticism (see the linked guide. Many pioneers of the modern literary approach to scripture are Jewish).

Online Resource:

Sefaria
This free online tool allows researchers to quickly view commentary, midrash, chasidut, or kabbalah on particular passages. Choose a passage, and then click on that passage. A menu will open on the right-hand side of the page with relevant links.

Journal Articles

These journals offer Jewish commentary and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. The links below direct researches to a search for articles within each journal. Supply additional keywords to narrow your search.