These Commentaries are designed to help the reader of the Bible understand what the text actually says and what it means. The Introduction to each book gives a concise but thorough treatment of questions of authorship and date. This is helpful to the general reader by showing the original setting and purpose of the book. It is also invaluable for students and teachers wanting an informed treatment of the key issues which combines scholarship with respect for the text. The Commentary itself takes the book section-by-section, drawing out its main themes. It also comments on individual verses and faces up to problems of interpretation. Additional notes give a fuller discussion of particular difficulties. The aim throughout is to get at the true meaning of the text of the Bible and to make its message plain.